Christmas Memories 2013

To be honest, Christmas did not come easy this year.  I'm not sure why.  I don't know if it was because of busyness in our lives, lack of planning on my part, the warm weather, a late thanksgiving, or what.  I didn't get into the Christmas "spirit" until just a few days before...and by then, it was a little to late.  We did get a Christmas tree put up (it was in the mid 80s when we bought it).  I let the kids decorate, which meant streamers, garland, and ornaments scattered throughout the house.  And, that was about it.  No lights outside. I barely made Christmas cookies (until a friend reminded me about our annual Christmas cookie decorating party).

That's when it all started.  Christmas cookie making day.  We spent a whole day making a variety of cookies.

We made coconut macaroons, Reindeer cookies, Mint Brownie cookies, Christmas cutout cookies, Mint dipped cookies, and puppy chow

It was fun.  the kids took part in every bit of it (except the cleaning : /  Gotta work on that).

The next day, we had some friends come over for our annual cookies decorating day.

Friends: Carly, Nicole, Ally

 It was a wonderful morning/afternoon.

Friends: Claire, Ana, Hannah, Nate

We really enjoyed the time with everyone and we are thankful for the friends we have made up here.

A few days later, we headed down to Naples to spend a few days with my family and visit a few friends.

We saw Teri and two of her boys for a morning at the park.

Friends: Levi, Hannah, Nicole, Hunter

We went to an ugly sweater Christmas party at Brooke & Bryan's house.

Jeremy's ugly sweater, Bryan's "ugly sweater"

Jeremy's sweater tied for the win, but he gave up his prize because he had taken his sweater off by then.

And, we had a full Christmas morning/celebration with my family.

Mom's beautiful table

fun utensil holder

Aunt Eric & Hannah

puppets

work it Nate

Traditional scratch off lottery tickets

 My parents got the kids a motor bike for Christmas.  The loved riding it.

 Both Nicole and Hannah did a great job riding.

 Nathan had fun trying to help papa change the tire on his bike.

Jeremy had the next few days off, so we spent some much needed family time together.  We ran errands, and played golf.  Lots of golf.  We played golf every day for three days.  It was fun (for the most part ;)

Christmas morning came in our house and I struggled with putting my heart in the right place.  It seemed like another day with bickering, whining, and begging for more food (ps, I feed my kids....a lot, they are not starving).

We spent some time singing Christmas carols, reading the story of Christ's birth, and talking about the importance of the day.  By then, all of our hearts were in the right place and we spent time leisurely unwrapping each others gifts.  I love to watch people open a gift I have picked out for them.

Hannah is continuing my family's tradition of decorating the tree with underwear....Hannah put it on the presents ;)

The most special gift was for Hannah this year.  She got her own, big girl Bible.

She was very excited to have her own Bible.  We read the Christmas story out of her Bible, and I think she really liked that.

Daddy got lots of golf stuff, and a nice camping chair.

Nicole got a ton of "adventure gear".

Hannah had a ballet Christmas

And, Nate had a sports Christmas.

I got some really nice items for my kitchen

The kids also received a bow & arrow/target, and a BB Gun.

The rest of the day was spent playing with our new toys, golfing, and eating.

We walked a local golf course...which was mostly fun, with the occasional whine.

Nicole found some cool insects and deer tracks,

Hannah had fun pulling Nate in the wagon, and Nathan tried to nap.

Even dinner was an untraditional Christmas dinner.  We decided to forgo the typical Ham and potatoes side dish and bought ourselves some delicious grass fed rib eyed steaks.

Grass fed beef rib eyed steaks, loaded baked potato, steamed green beans

homemade bruschetta (it looks kind of Christmasy, doesn't it?)

Coconut Shrimp

Although, not our typical Christmas, it was filled with family, memories, and good times.