Four Days of Christmas!

Christmas is a time of giving, sharing and being with the ones we love. I feel so very thankful for the wonderful life I have. Brian and I talk often about how we are so lucky to get along so well and love one another so much. We truly were meant to spend our lives together. Our love is evident in Bricen and Brianna. I know that they were very excited to open presents and get new things, but I think they were just as excited to give gifts. It was beautiful to see their eyes light up when someone else was opening a gift that they had picked out special for that person. We had my Aunt and Uncle and the cousin's over on Thursday evening to play, laugh and enjoy company. This was the start of the gift giving and opening and a good time was had by all!Christmas Eve, we had Brian's parents and sister over for ham dinner and gifts. This is always such a comfortable, enjoyable and meaningful get-together. The kids got me footed pajama's and pink sequin slippers and Brian a coffee mug and gumballs. They were so cute when we opened our gifts!

It is part of my Christmas tradition to read Rudolph before bed on Christmas Eve. We looked at the Santa tracker, set out cookies, milk and carrots for the reindeer and headed to bed.

At about 6am we heard little voices in the living room opening their stockings, then excited children came into the bedroom to get us up. They were very excited to open Santa's gifts...

Brianna got the i pod she asked for Bricen got a bb gun
The dogs even enjoyed the morining of opening gifts

There are lots of new fun toys to play with. After a relaxing morining and a most of the day to play with new toys, including a Wii, we headed to Brian's Aunt and Uncle's house. We enjoyed visiting with his extended family. Bricen and Brianna got to play with thier new cousin who was adopted from Tailand. They had a lot of fun!

Sunday was spent having a seafood dinner at my parents house, where there were more gifts, visiting and fun.

The Nutcracker

It has become part of our Christmas tradition for Brianna and I to go to the Nutcracker. It is pretty fun to dress up and have a girls day out, especially doing something that we both really enjoy. This year we went with one of Brianna's good friends and her mom and sister. The five of us had so much fun! We left in the morning and met up with 2 other mom/daughter's from ballet at Red Robin in Eugene. We all had fun visiting and filling up on yummy food, then it was off to the ballet. The girls loved the comfy chairs and watched intently at all the beautiful dancers. Brianna remembered the story pretty well this year and felt extra special because her good friend was there too.
We ended the day with hot cocoa and a lot of giggles on the way home! What fun!!!

Christmas Programs

Brianna had a dance showcase this year to show off a well practiced dance routine. It was informal, however it was up on stage and a lot of people in the audience. Brianna is usually very nervous for these, but this year she was such a natural. She was excited to dance and did a wonderful job.

Bricen had his Preschool Christmas program. He had been practicing his songs and saying his verse and knew every word by heart. He is so handsome and gets a lot of compliments, which just boosts his ego even more. Its good to be confident right!

Getting ready for the show...

I get such a great joy out of watching my children. These two performances definitely helped put me in the Christmas spirit!

Christmas Story Book Land

Each December we enjoy going to the Fairgrounds and touring Story Book Land. It seemed even more magical this year! The kids love looking at all of the scenes that are set up, and of course sitting on Santa's lap at the end.
We went two times this year and both times the kids asked for the same thing...
Brianna asked for an "ipod"
Bricen asked for "a bb gun that he can only shoot with his daddy please"

We enjoyed going with the cousins this year and with Brian's parents and sister. The only thing about going more than once is the explanation at the end because the Santa looks different. This year Brianna was quick to point out that "We got to see a white Santa and a brown Santa"

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree!

Our Tradition has always been to go the the Christmas Tree Farm and pick out and cut down our tree. We were able to do it on the 1 and only beautiful and dry day in December, the first Sunday! It drank and drank and is still very healthy (we weren't sure how well it would do since we got it so early this year).

The Christmas Tree Farm always starts out with a wagon ride out to all of the trees. I love the Noble Fir's and we found the perfect one after scouring our selection. Bricen brought his saw this year, to help daddy cut the tree down. He sure was a big helper!They talked me into bringing Lily and she snuggled in my coat most of the time. I had lots of fun decorating the tree, as I always do. Brianna was an amazing help this year and put most of the ornaments on the tree. She arranged everything so nicely I didn't even have to re-arrange where she had placed ornaments. It certainly does feel like Christmas!