Smith Family Christmas 2009

The first few days of 2010 found us celebrating our Christmas with Nathan's family. Once again we found ourselves in the midst of familial love. Games were played, food was enjoyed, cookies were snitched, gifts were exchanged, laughter was contagious, and memories were made. It was wonderful. Here are a few of my favorite moments.

1. The mandatory family photo.

2. Tammy reading bedtime stories to the kids. If the way to a man's heart is through his stomach the way to a mom's heart is through her children. Our children are so loved by this family.

3. The "original Smith kids" and their spouses played the game Synapse. Lots of laughing!This was the "boys" team.

4. We got to watch our niece/goddaughter Naomi take part in her first Christmas. Wrapping paper was so exciting.

You'd think that a visit where the rosettes didn't turn out at all, the the furnace and water heater went out due to the bitterly cold weather, and then at least three vehicles didn't start wouldn't be much fun. Fortunately the company makes up for it all. Family is fantastic.

More Sledding

Upon our arrival at Smiths the kids wanted more sledding. Thankfully there are plenty of hills in the pasture that were perfect for sledding. The temperature had dropped quiet a bit but once bundled the kids were more than ready to go.

1. Happy Lydia.

2. Evan on his way back up the hill.

3&4. Each of the boys heading down the hill. Watch and listen for Lydia, too.

Davis Family Christmas 2009

My family gathered together at my parents house for our Christmas celebration on December 26 . It was loud (seven kids seven and under), busy (18 people in the house), and wonderful (family, family, family). Here are a few of the many memories.

1. The mandatory family shot.

2. My Dad and youngest niece, Hannah.

3. I taught Ethan how to give Eskimo kisses.

4. Lydia was just a little pleased to hold Hannah all by herself.

On Sunday Nathan headed back to Oshkosh to get in a few days of work while the kids and I stayed with Mom and Dad. We snuck up to my sisters family's house for a day of cousin playing, stomping around in the woods, and visiting. Then her two boys came back to my parents for a big slumber party at Grandma and Grandpa's. The following day we had a mini birthday celebration for Lydia. Finally we headed to my brothers house for some more cousin time, stomping around his house, and visiting. Nathan come back over Wednesday evening and then Thursday we headed down for Smith Family Christmas. Can't beat Christmas that lasts and lasts.

Sledding

On Christmas Day afternoon we packed up and headed to my parents house. The next day was Davis Family Christmas. We spent the morning outside sledding. This is actually the road my parents live on but since they only have one neighbor on that street we don't worry about traffic.

1. Lydia and I on our way down.

2. Hans prefers to cruise down on his belly head first.

3. Evan prefers feet first on the little yellow torpedo sped.

Opening Gifts

When we actually open gifts has changed year to year depending on our travel plans, but most years we open on Christmas morning. This year was one such year. The kids were awake, the boys even got dressed, and they were playing upstairs until I cranked up Joy to the World on the CD player. Then they came running and craziness abounded. Christmas is very commercialized and there is such a huge focus on what presents kids want that I know some families are tempted to skip gifts, especially in the adults. I can't quite do that despite my disgust with some major retailers. We really try to focus on the giving part. The kids shopped for each other, for both parents, and made homemade gifts at school. We try to emphasise that the point of gifts is giving things to those we love and appreciate. My kids don't really need anything (our house is rather full) but I still love giving them gifts. They're three of the people I love most. Giving is just one of the ways I show them this.

Christmas Eve

Last year I happened to run across a great deal on steaks for Christmas dinner. This year Nathan casually mentioned early in December that he'd eat vegetarian chili all month if it meant he could have steak on Christmas again. I guess he liked it. So I planned steak and then happened to find king crab legs on sale so we went with a surf and turf theme. The kids have had crab legs exactly once before this and still talk about it as if it was one of the best nights of their lives. Hopefully the slow cooked steaks smothered in cheese and bacon, sauteed mushrooms and onions on the side, baked crab legs, seasoned green beans, garlic mashed potatoes and homemade rolls will make it on that same list of great childhood memories as well.

After attending our candlelight church service at 6:30 we came home for cheese, sausage, crackers, a few cookies, kid wine, and non kid wine as we do each Christmas Eve. We light the Christ candle on our Advent wreath, have our final Advent devotion, and marvel at the amazingness of Christmas.

Really, in it all, I hope that the marveling at the amazingness of Christmas is what remains etched deep in all of our hearts.

Cookies, Candies, and other Christmas Treats

During the month of December the kids and I spent lots of time baking. At some point each kiddo had some solo time with me in the kitchen and we also teamed up a few projects too. When all was said and done we made 13 kinds of cookies and candies that were used for 20+ gifts for friends and neighbors. I've always enjoyed cooking with my kids (they all had the chance to start helping me by the age 2) but now it's really getting fun as they can do more and are really quite competent with measuring, pouring, cracking eggs, and even using the mixer. Here are a few shots of us at work.

1. Hans and his finished "gingerbread" house.

2. Evan diligently adding more detail to his.

3. The boys showing off Christmas bark (remember Fall Bark?)

4. Lydia and Nathan (her preschool classmate who I watch on Mondays and Tuesdays) making sugar cookies and adding sprinkles.

Strumming

Another December treat was a visit from my dear friend Denise (known as our Mrs.Smith to the kids). She was in the neighborhood picking up her daughter, Kelly, from school down in Watertown and thought it'd be fun to pop up for a quick visit. She was actually here for less than 24 hours but she managed to find time to play guitar with/for the kids, attend our congregation's Advent by Candlelight, and take me out to breakfast while everyone else at school for the morning. Pretty impressive, huh? She is.

Pictured are the boys taking a turn playing guitar with Mrs. Smith. Just please ignore the giant pile of Christmas projects that is sitting on the ironing board behind them. :o)

Christmas Events

So what have we been doing since the last real post in early December? The month of December was filled with many Christmas events. All three kids were in Christmas services at school/church. My parents were able to join us for Hans' and Lydia's service and Michael and Tammy joined us for Evan's service the next week.

The kids and I also took in a couple of fun local events that we'd never attended before this year. Unfortunately the camera wasn't behaving for either of them so hopefully these links give you an idea of what we saw.

First we attended Christmas in the Air at the EAA museum. There were various musical groups, chocolate tasting, dancing girls, and silly elves that put on a skit. It was cold, snowy, crowded, and yet enjoyed by all.

We also attended Tuba Christmas at Fox Valley HS. Tuba Christmas is a bunch of tuba and other low brass instruments playing Christmas carols while the audience sings along. The event started many years ago in NY but has spread across the country. The concerts are free and really fun. I'd recommend tracking one down in your local area and experiencing one yourself.

finding time

Time flies. Every moment seems to be moving quicker than the last. Just a few years ago it was easy for me to find the time to update this blog several times a week. Now I can't seem to find the time several times a month. From what I hear from more seasoned parents things aren't going to slow down anytime soon either. Given the choice between enjoying the days, activities, and my family in general and blogging about it I'd choose the enjoying anytime. It is my plan to continue to blog, sharing pictures, stories, and our daily lives with you all. Hopefully you'll keep following even at my sporadic pace.