Christmas Eve

**Posted about a month late.  I am really behind these days!**

Christmas Eve was wonderful for us this year.  We spent the whole day just hanging out, and having quality time with each other.  The one thing I love about this time of year is the time we get to spend with family.  Especially when we can just hang out, and enjoy each other's company.  And that is what Christmas Eve was for us this year.  It was pure bliss.

Every year, we attend the Bethel Reformed Christmas Program on Christmas Eve to watch the Kalkwarf kids perform in their Christmas program.  It was a lovely service, just like always.  It got a bit long this year, as 1-1/2 hours is too much for a 2 year old to sit still, in the dark, and stay quiet, but Carson did very well.  We were very proud of him after we escaped the busy crowds that evening with a sack of peanuts, and an apple. 

After we got home, we played hard.  We let Carson open his one gift, which were his Christmas pajamas to be worn that night.  He was pretty excited to wear his pajamas, but he was also excited to open more presents.  We had to stop him, and explain that he could open the rest in the morning.

After we got our little Wee Lad to bed that night, Santa went to work.  I was so excited to see what his reaction would be to what Santa was bringing, and it was nothing shy of amazing. 

I love how our Christmas Eve is the calm before the storm, but in a fabulous way!  We all know to just relax, and enjoy our day together, because come morning time, it is a very busy day for all of us.  And, we love both extremes! 

Merry Christmas to all of you!  Much love from our family, to yours.

Christmas at Grandpa Mike's

On Friday night, December 23rd, we kicked off the holiday weekend with our 2nd Christmas celebration of the year.  We headed out to my Dad's house for Christmas with Papa Mike.
Carson was in a fabulous mood that night, which made the evening that much more fun.  I just love it when he warms up quickly to his surroundings, lets go of us, and has fun!  And, you could tell by the look on his face, and the shrill sounds that were coming from his mouth...that he was having so much fun.  Uncle Chris, Uncle Nathan, and Papa Mike were all having fun wrestling with Carson, and he was loving all the attention.

 

We snacked, ate food, opened gifts, and played.  Carson was completely wiped out after his busy evening, and he slept really good that night.  He got some new blocks as a gift, and he took right to them.  He opened the package right away, and instantly dumped the bag out.  That is what you are supposed to do with all the blocks, right!?  :)

Carson got some assistance from some helpers with his blocks. He thought it was so funny to build a tower of blocks really high. And, with Nathan's help, and a few boxes of diapers, they got the job done. Carson would laugh every time they fell on Papa Mike who was laying on the floor.

Carson also got a Mr. Potato head, that he was a bit leery about at first.  I don't think he quite knew what to do with the thing, and was kind of scared of it.  We put that toy down, and moved to the next one rather quickly.  He finally took to it a little later, but still didn't show much interest in it.  Maybe in the near future he will.  Until then, he has plenty of toys to keep him occupied.  Trust me!

Carson helped hand out gifts, and open gifts for others.  Apparently he thought he would lend a helping hand, and assist Natalie in opening her gift(s).  I am sure she didn't mind, though!  Next year she may put up a fight, but this year she was content as can be laying on the floor, watching all the action.  A few times her eyes would flinch really quickly, as her monster of a cousin would get really close to her, or get really loud.  It's ok Natalie, I do the same thing :)  Ha.

And of course, we all had to get some snuggle time in with the precious little girl.  She is such a sweetheart!

Carson and Natalie gave Grandpa Mike a fun "Candy Story" as a Christmas gift this year.  It was a lot of fun to read, and I am sure Grandpa is enjoying the candy.  We opened the sour patch kids, and Carson actually really liked them.  We were all so shocked at how he didn't even respond to the sour taste.  He also fed Grandpa a few of them.......but Grandpa didn't think they were as tasty as Carson.  Ha!

We had a really nice celebration to kick off our busy, and very delightful Christmas weekend.  It was the first for the weekend, and it was nice to split them up a bit.

Baking Day

Last Saturday, my Sister hosted our 3rd Annual Holiday Baking Day.

It was another huge success, and we all had a lot of fun!  I had a little helper for some of the recipes, and that always makes things interesting :)  Carson is very good at stirring, but gets out of control some most times.  It is usually a guarantee that you will find flour surrounding his area, and this time, it included the floor.  He also helped me place the cookies in the little muffin tin compartments.  After placing a few balls, he then took it up a notch.  I feel like all boys do this, right?!  He then started to throw the balls, and see if he could hit one of the compartments in the tin.  A few "thuds" of the cookie dough ball later, and he usually scored.  When my cookies dough was gone, and I was ready to put the tin in the oven, I figured out I had some re-constructing to do.  The little pistol had been eating some of the cookie dough, and they no longer looked like balls!

  

And, in between helping me bake, Carson and Natalie were with their lovely Babysitter.....Frannie!  She was in charge of the kiddos for the day.  Natalie is always content as ever, and Carson is just plain busy. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out all the amazing goodies that we made that day!  Everything was truly amazing.

 

 

 

Carson also found this dancing snowman to be rather entertaining.  He would turn it on and off about a hundred times, and then throw it on the floor.  He is a gentle little boy....most of the time :)

My Sister always does an amazing job hosting any sort of party.  We had an amazing lunch, and the boys joined us for supper.

It was a wonderful, and tiring day.  Now we have our plates of goodies to dish out to people.  The fun part of it all......sharing the love with others!

Our First Christmas Celebration

On Sunday, we had our first Christmas of the 2011 Season.  We went to my Uncle Wendall's house, where everyone gathered with my Grandparents, in celebration of another year.  Another year of celebrating the true reason of the Season.

There was way too many snacks, way too much food, and everyone was joyful.  We opened a few gifts, and I love to see the faces of everyone as the anticipation is upon them, as to see what is inside each present.  Carson got a few cute track outfits, a fun farm play mat, and a Melissa & Doug clock.  He took right to the clock, and played with it for a long time.  Each number has a shaped block, and he loves to match shapes.  It only took him a few times, and he really caught on quickly.  A few of the shapes are kind of tricky for him, but he really enjoys playing with it.  Now we need to figure out a way not lose any of the 12 numbered blocks.  :)

I really enjoyed that we had our first get together the week before Christmas.  It drags Christmas out, and I love that.  It also makes for a less hectic actual Christmas weekend, because we don't need any help with that.  But, that is the joy of the Holiday, and the fact that we have SO many family members within driving distance.  Which, I wouldn't trade for anything!  I love all the hustle/bustle of the busy Holiday, and all the chaos, tired babies, and full bellies it brings!

And, I don't think that a family get together would be complete with a game or two.  It always makes this more exciting!

What a wonderful time of year.  I can't believe it is nearing the end of another amazing year.  2012 is upon us, and I am so excited to see what the new year is going to bring to our family!

Tis the Season to be Jolly!  :)