Dec 21-27
Oh my goodness! I am so far behind on my blogging and I am so sorry if you have been waiting to be updated. We had such a nice Christmas this year. I was so engrossed in my last few days with the family (before going back to work full time) that I just didn't feel like blogging. I've been taking notes and getting my pictures in order so that I can recall all of our fun times for the week of Christmas.
Christmas is such a special time. Not only for all of the obvious reasons, but I always think of it as a time to look back on the whole year and remember all of the special times we have had as a family. This year our little family has undergone so many changes it is unreal. A pregnancy, a new baby, a big move to another state, losing a job, gaining a job, graduating from college, going back to college for another degree. Luckily most of our life changing events are positive ones, but they still cause a lot of stress. I think we have endured everything gracefully. We are finally pulling through to a point that we can 'settle' into a routine. More on that later.
Love him!
As you all know the Storch family is big on traditions all throughout the year and Christmas is no exception. Before Ed and I even had kids we made a decision that Christmas Eve would be a sacred family day...just our family. We also decided that we always want our kids to wake up in their own beds on Christmas morning. Remember that we just moved "back home" to be close to family so it has been interesting trying to fit everyone's traditions together. We have never really had to take others into consideration because we always lived away and were pretty much on our own. I felt kind of bad because my dads side of the family spends Christmas Eve together and we were invited...but we had to respectfully decline.
Baby's 1st Christmas!!!!
I'm sure some people do big things on Christmas Eve. We literally sit at home and hang out. It is very low key and sounds boring, but it is our special family holiday tradition. We enjoy each others company, eat good food, and wait for night time so we can really get into some Storch family holiday traditions. After dinner we all get in our Christmas pajamas, basque in the glow of the Christmas tree, and enjoy opening one present. This year Jack opened a new fire truck from Mommy and Daddy. He played with it while Ed and I sat around and talked. After awhile it was time for bed and we set out cookies and milk for Santa. This year Jack was really into it. He took it upon himself to carry the plate of cookies out by the fire place.
So cute!
When it was time for kids to go to sleep we all snuggled up on Jack's bed and read The Night Before Christmas. We told him Santa would come tonight if he went to sleep and he did. The rest of the evening Ed and I hung out with each other, enjoyed a few drinks, talked about life, and went to bed at a decent time. We couldn't wait until Christmas morning. I think we were more excited than Jack was. We wrapped all of the presents, placed them under the tree, and got everything ready for the next morning. We set our alarms and planned on getting up at 5:00 am so that we could get up to make coffee, get the camera ready, and make sure everything was perfect.
Left these cookies and milk out for Santa...
He ate them!!!
When Jack wandered out on Christmas morning we were ready. We even captured on camera the moment he laid eyes on all of the presents. It was great! He was so different this year and tore through his presents like a champion. He got a ton of Thomas the Train accessories for his train table. These toys are insanely expensive, but they are so worth the money. They are mostly wood, and the quality/durability factor is remarkable, so they will last forever. I think of them as an investment. Jack got his Thomas Train table for Christmas last year and he literally plays with it every single day. Worth every penny. These kinds of toys are timeless in my opinion.
Opening presents!
He was a pro this year!
Sitting with his presents from Santa!
The tree on Christmas morning!!
Ed's yummy breakfast casserole right before going in the oven!
Abel emptying the contents of his stocking!
LOVE those cheeks!!!!!
Okay so back to the story. Jack loved Christmas morning. He was so excited to play with all of his toys. After playing for a little bit, Mimi, Uncle Andy, and Aunt Caroline came over (Uncle Will had to pull an extra shift at the Fire Station being the new guy and all). It was like "ding, ding, ding, ROUND TWO!" Haha! Jack got more presents including a remote control car from Andy and Caroline that he loves. He also got a Leapfrog kid learning computer thing from Mimi. It is fun to start playing games with him and seeing him understand rules and how things work.
Uncle Andy and Aunt Caroline!
She loves this little baby!
After Round Two of presents we packed up the kids in the car and drove over to Sumter to visit Grandma (Ed's mom), Big Hartin, and Uncle Lucius. Round Three of Christmas!!! Everyone loves Grandma's house. She of course made all of her delicious cookies so we could snack on them while we were hanging out. We got right into opening presents. It was like another full blown Christmas!!! Uncle Ryan and Aunt Amanda also came over. Jack was in hog heaven. He helped everyone open their presents while he also played with a million new toys. Abel got a much needed new car seat. He is so big and broad shouldered, he seriously can't fit into his little baby carrier seat. He LOVES his new car seat. It is the same one as big brother Jack but in a different color. Suddenly he can enjoy a car ride now. Imagine that. :)
Ed and Abel with Uncle Lu
Grandma's Christmas tree!
Yum!
My favorite!!!
Digging in...
Abel's new car seat!
Grandma loved her gift!
Abel with Uncle Lu!
We got lovely gifts from Big Hartin and Cindy. After opening presents we had a huge Christmas dinner. Mmmm. So delicious!!! We stayed the night and played games, enjoyed drinks, and each others company. It was such a nice time. The next day we packed up the car full of presents and went home. It was back to reality and my first official week in the Pediatric ER. More on that in the next post.
No comments:
Post a Comment