Christmas, 2011

DSC_0200, a photo by MelissaandSusan on Flickr.

We had a very nice, relaxing little Christmas at home. We decided to stop traveling on Christmas and it's been a great decision. This year, Theo was really into all the traditions and excitement, which was really fun.

On Christmas Eve, we had a picnic on the living room floor with appetizers. We had a fire going and let the kids watch the cartoon Grinch while we ate. Then we drove around and looked at Christmas lights. While we were gone, Reindeer (our elf) left to go back to the north pole until next year, but he left us gifts to open and a note. Christmas PJs for everyone! After we got changed, we read Twas the Night Before Christmas and then put Lucy to bed. After she was tucked in, we wrote to Santa, sprinkled magic reindeer food on the lawn and had donuts by the fire. Susan went to bed early (sick on Christmas, boo!) and I stayed up and went to midnight Mass.

The next morning, we just watched the kids open gifts, had a nice breakfast and then lounged around and played with new toys, watched Christmas movies and Skyped with the grandparents. I made a little dinner - ham, potatoes and green beans and the kiddos went to bed a little early while Susan and I played a card game.

I didn't open a single gift and yet, I had a wonderful Christmas. I loved watching the kids open their stuff and play. Quality time with all 4 of us at home was all the present I needed.

We have one more Christmas in January with Susan's family and then we will finally get to rest and relax and take a break from traveling. With all the birthdays and holidays that consume us from October through Christmas, we've been so, so busy. We've already packed away all the decorations and gotten the house back in order, so we are one step closer to a few low key months.

Hope everyone's Christmas was as nice and family centered as ours!