You might want to grab a mug of hot chocolate and some munchies, this one’s gonna be on the longish side.
We had a great Christmas! The kids were so excited the entire month and it was contagious. 
I loved hearing the kids singing Jingle Bells, Annie randomly shouting “Santa Pwaus, Ho Ho Ho!”, Brandon’s cute little Christmas list, reading Christmas books together at night, the awesome snow, getting Christmas cards each day in the mail (December mail is so fun!), talking with the kids about the nativity story and about why we celebrate Christmas…..it was a good month.
We had several parties with family, here are some pictures.
Southwick Party
Dinner, gift card exchange, pinata for the kids, and a visit and treats from Santa and Mrs. Claus! Brandon and Sammie sporting their “movie star glasses” as they called them. And the kazoos–those dang kazoos. They paraded around “kazooing” Christmas tunes the rest of the night….
We had a hard time getting Annie to take these ones off!! Even if they were upside down…
Brandon was excited to tell his 3 Christmas wishes (music box, telescope, and train). Yes, he is wearing his glasses and it was a miracle that he kept them on! One of the things we’ll be working on in 2008….
My favorite pic of the night!! Annie was fine just as long as she wasn’t near Santa. She told him “Hi” when he came in, but wanted NOTHING to do with sitting on his lap. Afterwards she was just fine. She told me, “Santa tittled (tickled) me!”
Cute little Jaden telling Santa that he’s been a nice boy all year! Notice the fancy background–we were going for the Santa’s workshop look. Actually we were in G&G Southwick’s garage.
Yep, no pics of me on Santa’s lap this year. With my protruding belly, it would’ve been tough for you to tell the difference between me and Santa. 
Grandpa Russ read an extremely condensed version of Luke 2 while the kids put together the nativity scene, yes the Fisher Price one. I asked Brandon what gifts the wise men brought for Jesus and was amazed that frankensense was the first one he remembered!!
Then we opened and exchanged presents. Brandon and Annie loved these little “treasure boxes” that Grandma Yoo-hoo put together for them–inside were little wrapped things and the kids had so much fun looking at each one!
One of my favorite things of the night was the unveiling of Grandma Yoo-Hoo’s gift from my parents–her very own laptap!!! Now she can read my blog! I love the look of shock on her face. What a great night.
Here is our tree late at night after Santa made his visit.
Christmas Day
Lucky for us, both kids slept in Christmas morning! The first thing Brandon did was to check and see if the cookies and chocolate milk were gone….and they were!!
Santa must’ve come! Opening presents was so much fun. Brandon did a good job distributing all of the gifts by reading the names on the tags. He told me that his favorite things were “opening presents and making Santa’s treats!” I couldn’t even get anyone to look at the camera, they were so busy ripping off the paper.
Brandon kept saying “it’s just what I wanted!” after opening each present. Among the gifts were the Geotrax Grand Central Station and another train w/ remote, a telescope, a baseball music box, Kid K’nex, Rose Petal Cottage, Fisher Price Palace, My Little Pony tea set, Princess karaoke radio, a water-proof Cabbage Patch doll, puzzles and games and books…. etc. Jaden surprised me with some good stuff, including a cell phone, a new big camera bag and some bath stuff. Hooray! One of the things I got him was a digital frame all ready to go with photos from the entire year. Then we set to work putting together the toys. I hate how toys are packaged, it takes like one hour to get one piece out of the box.
We were pretty tired at this point but still had fun with Grandma Judy and Grandpa Judd and Jordan, Amy, Janson and Meagan. Just took a few more pictures there, but again, no faces looking at the camera.
We played a little bit of Guitar Hero. Brandon’s rocking out with Uncle Jordan’s crazy mountain man hat!!
Whew! What a day. We were exhausted but had lots of fun spending time together and with our families. We’re so lucky and everyone was so generous. THANK YOU!!
I hope your Christmas was wonderful!!
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
looks like you had a fabulous christmas! I love the pic of your cute grandma with her new laptop!
Now that Christmas is over we NEED TO PLAY!!!!
What a Christmas. I love the kids’ matching pajamas. Romantic as always!
Brooke,
WOW!! Looks like you had a fun christmas!! I am glad that you enjoyed it. Your Grandma seemed pretty excited about the laptop!! How fun!!!! I loved all the things you did Christmas eve for the kids to prepare for Santa! Have a great day!!
looks delightful and fun and busy and crazy and warm and sweet – all things Christmas should be.
I love your Christmas pictures. It looks like it was wonderful. How fun that your grandma can now read your blog! (Hi Grandma!) Happy new year, buddy!
Sounds like it was the PERFECT day! I love the incredible photo’s that you got of the handmade ornaments.
Love the picture of Annie in her glasses – very funny! Glad Christmas went well! Great post.
Nice new clothes for your blog. You better not curse us to have snow around for too much longer. I don’t like being cold. Oh, and bytheway, I LOVE that kit.
Looks like you had a great Christmas! I love the kids Christmas Ornaments. So cute. And I love the picture of your Grandma. Oh, your blog looks great too!!
Hi there. I stumbled upon your blog a few weeks ago when I googled how to dress up a blog. I came across your post where you explain what you did to dress up your blog. I love your HEADER (The Christmas one and the one you have now) I took a look at the sites you give credit to for your header. I was wondering if you can give me any insight as to how to make such a cute header. Do you lay out the pages yourself or buy them already made etc. I know how to add a header to my blog but I don’t know how to make a digital scrapbook header. I would truly appreciate any information you could give me or tutorial site if you know one. I have already followed may of your instruction on a three column template and how to upload paper etc to dress up a blog. Feel free to visit my blog at http://www.mullinsamber.blogspot.com (this is my original blog that I’ve had for about 7 months. I’m working on a new one that I haven’t posted yet that I’m trying to personalize and make really cute) I’m using all of your tips to create my new blog but, I just need a little help. I feel like we are already friends since I love your site and visit it often. Your site is my favorite. Also, I noticed you have the nav bar at the top of your blog page. I discovered a way to hide it (peek a boo Nav Bar) If you want the code, it’s all yours. Thanks so much for everything. My question may also be a great post idea for you.
Oh, by the way my email address is http://www.mullinsamber@hotmail.com