Christmas 2011

When we got married, Scott and I decided to switch off Thanksgiving and Christmas with our families. And when we had kids, we decided to stay at our home on Christmas Day and then travel to my family the day after Christmas. Unfortunately, this meant no more Christmas morning in my childhood home with my parents and sister. But this year, we made a change.... we drove up to Lake Tahoe the week before Christmas and then drove to my parents house on Christmas Eve in order to be at the house on Christmas morning. My sister and her husband (who live near my parents) spent the night on Christmas eve so we were all together on Christmas day. They got to experience the joy of Christmas morning with the kids' excitement. It was the perfect Christmas present for me.

It took us about an hour to get through Santa's presents - stockings, opening the gifts, getting them out of the packaging and playing with them. Then a small break for Scott to get the turkey stuffed and into the oven (one of his best turkeys ever!). Then a couple more hours of opening all the other presents. Then the hours and hours of getting the gifts out of the packages and playing with all of them. Even with all the presents, the true gift for me, was being with everyone and just seeing the beaming, smiling faces of my kiddos.

I was able to work remotely the week after Christmas, therefore allowing us to stay at my parents the week after Christmas. Although I was working, it was great to just be at my parents, still hearing them play with the kids in the background, being around my sister and having Scott relaxed watching football.

The Sherburnes (my dad's sister and her family), came to visit the day after Christmas and I just love this family. No matter how much time we spend with them, it is never enough. My cousin Amy has a son who is 6 weeks older than Brooke. He is the closest boy cousin to Jack's age and Jack just loves him.

The week was filled with activities, relaxing and just being at home (and working for me). My parents, sister and Scott took the kids to a local bounce place one day and the kids just loved it. Scott took Jack to see a movie one afternoon while Brooke napped. My sister played and baked with the kids. My brother-in-law played and built legos with the kids. Scott and I got out one night on our own to see a movie. Brooke did start to get a fever (100/101 range) due to an ear infection, but that didn't seem to slow her down.