Christmas 2015

Oh how I love my end-of-the-year time off.  It is just such a good opportunity to unwind and recharge.  And this year I had a record-breaking 3 full weeks off since we took a trip to Orlando the first week of January!  But first let's start with Christmas.

We didn't travel anywhere for Christmas this year and we didn't host any gatherings so the week off leading up to Christmas was really low-key.  We baked cookies, had our friends over for dinner, Keith and Colin went to see Star Wars while the girls and I had our own "Frozen" movie afternoon, and more of the same.  The one thing that was missing from this scene was SNOW!  It was unseasonably warm during the break making it seem not quite as Christmas-y but we handled it.

Making Christmas cookies...peanut butter balls!

Watching Rudolph on TV

On Christmas Eve we had our traditional Polish fare including pierogies, smoked fish, and shrimp (we make a vegetarian exception on Christmas Eve).  Christmas Day was just the five of us.  I really cherish these magical years when all three kids believe and are old enough to understand the excitement of the season.  It really is magical.  Setting up on Christmas Eve is one of my very favorite activities.  That and coming down the stairs the next morning are two really big highlights. Christmas Day was spent opening gifts, playing with toys, and eating.  The important stuff!!  We didn't reveal to our kids that we were leaving for Orlando on January 3 until Christmas Day.  We made a puzzle with a poem on it to tell them the news and wrapped up pieces of the puzzle in three boxes along with their Magic Band.  They had to assemble the puzzle to figure out the surprise.  They were excited but it wasn't quite the reaction we thought we might get.  With all of the excitement of the day, it was hard to single out this one thing I guess.  But as we kept talking about it and I showed Colin the websites for Disney World and Legoland he got more and more excited (and of course the girls are excited about whatever he is).

Our Christmas Eve dinner (we ate early!)

He came!

Julia checks out Caroline's new Elsa doll

Just what Colin wanted!

Helping the girls build their first Lego sets

Caroline in her new Elsa gown

The week after Christmas was also pretty quiet.  We celebrated Mason Christmas with my family on New Year's Day.  My sister hosted and everyone was able to make it. It was really a lovely day of eating, opening gifts, playing games and just enjoying being together.

Colin and Eli playing with Colin's awesome new crane from Uncle Bub

Opening presents

Working on Meme and Pop Pop's new 3D cube puzzle

On January 2nd, Meme and Pop Pop left and later that afternoon Keith's parents arrived.  We had a whirlwind session of opening Christmas gifts and then got to work finishing up packing and last minute preparations for our trip to Florida!

An electric pencil sharpener for Colin

New beautiful fairy wings!

Their first sleeping bags!