Christmas 2012

Christmas 2012 was just as special as we hoped it would be.  I love this picture of our tree just before we headed to bed on Christmas Eve.  I love the fire trucks that every two-year-old boy should have under the tree, the ornaments only hung on the top third of the tree because Finn couldn't leave them alone, that our room was not filled with packages but I know all those wrapped beauties would be loved, and the Star Wars figures on the packages to the right protecting the gifts for the evening.  This non magazine worthy Christmas picture tells a perfect story of our wonderful Christmas in the Conway house.

We started with stockings and opened presents while the Christmas morning casserole was baking.  I think this year I can safely call it my own.  I think the only thing it still has in common with my childhood casserole are the eggs.



I went back and forth on which present from my sister Erika should go to Finn or Ian.  I guess I chose wrong, because when they opened them at the same time, each one looked down at their present and then over at the other's and silently exchanged gifts.  It was pretty funny to watch, but they were both thrilled with their toy after fixing their mother's mix up.

The kids were at such fun ages.  There weren't a ton of presents, but it took about an hour and a half to get through them.  They would open a present and then want to play with if for a while.  Tristan wasn't in a lot of pictures because between the Legos and Star Wars ships he was in his room for most of the day playing.  It was the right amount of excitement without crossing the line into melt down city :)

After dinner, we had a birthday party for Jesus and Finn was thrilled with the cupcakes.  Ian entertained us by navigating the new book narrated by Bits about ten times.  They all loved it.

They all wanted to wear their new pajamas from Grandma and Grandpa. By the end of the day they were all getting along so well that they posed themselves for this picture :)

 

Another Christmas on the books and I love that my family was able to celebrate the birth of Jesus and also have a lot of fun along the way.

 

 

 

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

This Christmas season has been one of true blessing.  It looked and felt very different from years past.  Christmas 2012 stayed calm and enjoyable.  As a matter of fact, at our Christmas eve service when the pastor said that he knew we were all tired after the holiday "hustle and bustle", Neil and I looked at each other and chuckled because it really was not stressful...except for that ONE thing that stresses me out.
Okay, the ONE thing that I stress about each year is getting, wrapping, and shipping our extended family presents on time and on budget.  I would say I'm doing okay if that is the only thing all year I stress about, but stress is terrible and feels horrible.  Maybe next year will be the year I learn to eliminate those feelings :)

This year we sloooowed the pace and eliminated things that were "should dos" but are not all that enjoyable with the age of the boys right now.  There were no Christmas cookies, gingerbread houses, advent calenders, ice skating, or other difficult to maneuver/clean up activities.  We did get at least one good holiday fun activity in each week which was enough this year.

We got our Christmas tree, decorated it, realized it was almost dead after a few days, undecorated it, returned it, got a new one, and decorated it again :)

We went to two Christmas parades.

We went to zoo lights.  It was SOO cold that night, but we weren't sure we would have another chance to go.  The twins did great and didn't mind the cold, but Tristan complained most of the way.  Very out of character for him so it came as a bit of a surprised to us.

We went to a lovely Christmas party put on by Neil's mentor.  It was his first Christmas since his wife had passed, and he did a great job of getting the food, setting everything up, and even having movies for the kids.  I know it must have been hard for him to do this all on his own when I know he missed her so much.  She was with us in her own special way though.  Walt wore the bell that he had made for her years ago and that she wore every Christmas.  It was a special night together :)

We had Tristan's first Christmas program which was adorable!!!   He started the concert by yelling out, "My parents aren't here yet!"  Then he stole the show by singing louder (and more off key) than any of the other kids.  It was hilarious, cute, and memorable.  Neil and I could not have been more proud that our little guy was no wall flower!  He sings it like he means it and is not ashamed.

We rounded out our pre-Christmas activities with my favorite.  Christmas eve service is the best one for me.  We went to a family service where Tristan got to participate as a wise man.  I can't wait until it is complete next year when the twins will be able to join us for church instead of nursery. 

Since the church service was so early, we had a lot of time to kill before bedtime.  We took the kids to the movies.  It was the twins first time in a movie theater and they did great!  It was an hour and a half before the got the wiggles.  I looked down the row of kids to Neil and smiled.  This is something we have been looking forward to since we started having kids.  Neil and I LOVE to go to the movies and to be able to go as a family was just awesome!

Then it was home to get in our Christmas jammies and head to bed.  I love the weeks leading up to one of the best days of the year.  I love my family, and I love how fun they are!!!