Our Condensed Christmas
I feel like thats what this Christmas season was like - condensed. With nearly a full week less than normal between Thanksgiving and Christmas, this year felt waaaaayyy too fast. Add in the fact that we traveled for Thanksgiving, had friends in town the day we got back, and had totally booked weekends from December 1st on, and Christmas seemed to fly by. This year there were certainly things that in the interest of time, and sanity, we just couldn't do. Instead we sat back and enjoyed "the most wonderful time of the year".
Ornament Decorating
Isla's Preschool Christmas Program
Wow! What a change this was! Last year Isla refused to participate in her Christmas program, and sat on my lap alternating between screaming and pretending that she was going to join in with her friends the whole time. This year she stood up next to her friends and sang sweetly for the duration of their sweet performance. Love these little preschool nuggets!
In between the show and the Christmas Feast, the kids had an impromptu dance party. I always love watching Isla play with her friends.
Isla's sweet friend Ella didn't have her parents there, so Isla did her best to try and make her feel better.
Then it was time to give the parents the presents that they had been working on.
Isla excitedly looked to me and Jordan and then ran over to us and proceeded to unwrap our present… :)
She rounded out the afternoon by photo bombing ALL of her friends pictures. Of course when I went over and asked to get a picture with her and her friends, she put on her best pout face and made me leave… Was able to snap this one really quick though!
La Centerra Christmas Tree
So, while we missed the lighting of this tree, we were able to stop by and visit it before the Christmas season was over. Unfortunately, we probably went at the worst time for pictures, with harsh sun and shadows everywhere you looked. But the kids seemed to enjoy it. Add in a trip to Menchies, and Isla and Holden were both ecstatic!
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree…
Well, this may be our last year with a real tree. While we love aspects of it, it's just TOO MUCH WORK. Come next October, I will be on the hunt for the most realistic looking "ARTIFICAL" tree for next year. We did enjoy this monster for a little over a month, but I have to say I'm looking forward to getting rid of it this afternoon, and getting a quarter of my family room back!
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve was a nice and relaxing day for us. While Jordan had to go into work, he got off early in the afternoon, and we got our Christmas started. While Holden napped, we made some cookies for Santa with Isla. Later on, we met our friends, the Jones family at church, and continued our Christmas Eve tradition of sushi, Home Alone, Christmas Vacation, spiked egg nog, and trying to put together toys with no disagreements. As always, it was a good night. Just sad that since Christmas fell mid-week this year, Jordan had to go back to work right after the holiday was over.
Christmas Day
Well, it was finally here - thank goodness, because I'm not sure I could hold Isla back from the presents for one more day, and I KNOW that I couldn't take the "is it Christmas yet Mom", question anymore.
Elf on the Shelf
I will let the photos do the talking. As you can see, much to Isla's delight, our elf "Elf", was very creative and playful this year.
It was a very fun and busy Christmas season, and although I'm a little sad to see it go, I'm looking forward to having my house rid of the constant pine needles and glitter. Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season!
