Christmas Time Again!

It was a very, very nice Christmas.  It's a time I look forward to every year and this year did not disappoint.

We decided to go with a real Christmas tree this year.  Normally we put up an artificial one (ever since Keith knocked a real tree over watering it in 2009 when Colin was a brand new baby and broke several special ornaments).  This year we went all out and cut down our own tree.  I wanted the kids to have that experience.  It smelled good but the needles were very sharp and poked you every time you put something on the tree or adjusted it.  And I have never had a real tree lose so many needles (not in the beginning but toward the end of the month).  I think next year we'll go back to our artificial! 

The Okrzesik Family Christmas Tree...Dad, did you bring a saw?

It was also the first year that we got an Elf on the Shelf.  Elwood the Elf became part of our family for the month and kept a close eye on the kids' behavior.  Only once did he have to bring a warning letter back from the big man at the North Pole.  Elwood was generally good and not too mischievous. 

My sister and I took the girls to see the Nutcracker ballet for the first time this year.  It is a beautiful production with gorgeous costumes and sets.  I think the girls enjoyed it although they did get a little antsy at times.  I know I enjoyed it!

Sugar Plum Fairies!

I was off of work for two whole weeks which was fantastic.  My project is not in its busy time so I took advantage of that and saved PTO until the end of the year.  I had the whole week before Christmas off and I spent it doing some Christmas shopping with Keith, making cookies with the kids, and just generally getting ready for the big day. 

Grandma and Grandpa came up to stay with us on the 23rd.  On Christmas Eve we played games, went to Mass with them and had our traditional Polish Christmas Eve dinner.  Christmas Day was fun, relaxing, and special.  All the things that Christmas Day should be.  We even had a little bit of white snow on the ground adding to the magic.  Santa brought the kids a Wii U this year which was the big exciting gift of the year.  It was a "share" present as the kids say.  Colin asked for a Nintendo Switch but I guess Santa decided that the one-generation older system was more economical and still a big step up from our original Wii.  Santa brought new games and controllers to boot.  The girls also got Hatchimal twins which was a big source of delight, especially once they hatched. 

Christmas Eve dinner

Magical

Santa brought us a Wii U!

The girls are about to learn that twins are a lot of work!

On the 27th we caravaned with Grandma and Grandpa to Chicago for Okrzesik Christmas on the 28th.  It was great that no one was ill like last year and we were able to actually spend time with the cousins in the Okrzesik family.  We hung out at Auntie Heather's on the 28th, enjoying food and good company. 

The Okrzesik crew

The boy cousins

We were back to Dublin on the 29th and the 31st was Mason Christmas at my sister's.  That morning we got the unfortunate news that Mom and Dad weren't going to be able to make it up because Pop Pop had come down with a stomach bug overnight and hadn't slept at all.  We were all very disappointed but we soldiered on without them and enjoyed ourselves despite feeling their absence. 

The lucky winners of the resurrected wine competition!

Jack proves that even teenagers sometimes smile.

Luckily Keith the kids and I already had plans to come to Indiana on January 20th for an Avett Brothers concert at the Palace theater in Louisville.  So we were able to exchange gifts with Mom and Dad then and Uncle Bub and Aunt Jenny were able to make it too.  So it was like Mason Christmas 2.0. 

Everybody gathered in "the pit"

Opening up a picture frame the kids made for them

Now finally the celebrating is done and the gifts are put away in permanent homes.  We enjoyed our break and time with family very much but I think we were all ready to get back in our routines and return to normalcy again.  It's been a snowy January so far which has been fun for everyone.  It's basketball season now too and watching the girls play their first season (and Keith in his first coaching gig) has been really cool.  We're looking forward to the rest of the games and of course....spring!