A Bayside Christmas

This year we were able to start our holiday break over a week before Christmas.  Most years, we get up to Arcata, quickly decorate, and then take it all down a week later.  This year we got to enjoy our decorations for two weeks.  The kids helped me decorate the tree.... for a while...

....but, they got bored.  Instead, they decided to make a picnic...

... and a mess.

Before Christmas, we got together with friends (Auntie Katie & Lili and Trinity, Deja, Jordan, and Baby Clara) to make cookies.  I made the sugar cookie dough, Trinity brought the yummy frosting, and Katie supplied the cookie cutter and sprinkles.  Surprisingly, what could have been a chaotic mess was the complete opposite... it probably has to do with the mad skills we three moms possess. :o)

Lili B.

Deja

Yum!

Quality Control

Baby Clara

 Of course, making only ONE type of cookie simply won't do.  So, off we went to Katie's house for Christmas Eve-Eve (aka 12/23) for yummy Mexican Lasagna (flown special delivery from San Francisco by Leslie)... and we made MORE cookies.  This time it was the peanut butter ones with the chocolate kisses on top- one of my favorites.

Naughty Katie

Look, it's Dasher and Dancer!

After dinner, we all settled in for a viewing of the Polar Express.  This definitely needs to become part of our Christmas Eve-eve tradition!

Then, on Christmas Eve we went to Erik's parents to have a yummy ham dinner.  Uncle Jack and Grandpa Tipple joined us...

The kiddy table... located adjacent to all Ba-chan's cookies and sweets.

Holiday ambiance

 The girl's helped Grandpa to the table.

Once we got home, the kids got in their jammies and went to bed.  Then, I remembered we forgot to put out Santa's cookies.  Can you imagine!  So, I plucked Cairo and Jonah out of bed, had them carry the cookies to the living table, pose for a few pictures, and threw then back in bed.

... and, of course, we needed to take a few pictures in front of the tree....

... and, then, Santa came...

I think the kids forgot about Santa, because the first thing Jonah did in the morning was wake me up and ask for milk... but his milk was soon forgotten once be realized Santa had made an appearance during the night.  The tradition goes that stockings can be opened up right away and the rest of the presents have to wait until everyone is awake.  The kids dung into their stockings, super excited about EVERYTHING- even the wrapping paper.

After a while, they got to start opening some presents, too.

Jonah got a big boy tool belt and tools... REAL tools.

Cairo for some pretty, sparkly shoes.

Both kids got LOTS of books and art supplies.

After presents, we got ready for the family to come by for Christmas breakfast.  Erik made a yummy casserole and potatoes and we laid out some yummy fruits.

After a day of playing, hanging out with Auntie Katie, Lili, and Leslie, and taking naps, we finished it off with an easy meal of Lasagna and Chocolate Peppermint Cake (I couldn't resist buying it when we went to Ramone's) at Erik's parents.

Grandpa made and painted bird houses for everyone.

It was amazing to finally have a holiday when everyone was happy and healthy.  It was probably one of the most relaxing and enjoyable Christmases I have had since becoming a parent.  The Christmas magic that had been fading since I became an adult has come back with a vengeance.  It's fun carrying on the holiday traditions of my youth and making new traditions along the way.  Merry Christmas!