Our 2008 Christmas was very lovely. This was the first Christmas without Dad present. It was a little weird. I always enjoyed seeing his smiling face and loving whatever we got him. And of course, he loved seeing Kendall open up her presents. But I must admit, the breakfast was a highlight for him.This year, I didn’t really let anything get to me. Which is rare. But then again, we didn't have a lot of family with us this Christmas, so that makes it much more relaxed for me.
We had a very low key Christmas Eve – just the four of us, Mom, K, Chris & I. Who knows – if it continues this way, we may high tail it out of town for the holidays in the future and go somewhere either warm or more exciting than GR! But for now it was very nice!
We went to church on Christmas Eve. It was very lovely. The cathedral looks so pretty decorated at Christmas. Kendall looked gorgeous in her Christmas dress that her Aunt Cindy had given her last year. And she was so well behaved in church.
I took Kendall to see the Nativity scene. She was so precious asking about the animals and then knelt down in front of it and said a prayer.
Afterwards, we got in our jeans (of course after me making Chris put back on his nice clothes so we could take some photos by the tree with all of us looking nice) and had pizza from Papa Murphy’s and salad. And for dessert some cookies and port wine.
This is so different than in years past when we would do either lots of appetizers (meaning lots of preparation) or have a nice sit down meal (and that would also mean lots of preparation). Plus the boys would usually come on Christmas Eve and we would have them open their gifts and we would open the ones they would give to us, so past Christmas Eves were more eventful, less relaxing.
Kendall was so excited. It was so cool to see Christmas through her eyes this year. She understands it more and more every year. This year we left cookies out for Santa along with milk and magical reindeer food (Yes, I bought into the whole commercialism – Chris told me that when his boys were little, he would leave a carrot out for the reindeers. But me, no I had to buy “magical” reindeer food.). K even wrote a note to Santa. It was so cute.
Then in the morning she came in and snuggled with me while Chris went to pick up his parents. This was the first year that Chris' parents had the chance to celebrate Christmas day with us at our house with Kendall and the boys.
Once we got up, Kendall ran downstairs when we got up and looked outside and said “The reindeer at their food! It’s all gone!” And she looked at the cookies and wondered what happened. I guess she didn’t realize that Santa actually likes to eat the cookies and drink the milk we leave out for him!
When Chris came home with his parents and the boys decided to show up (around 10:45 – not 10 like Chris had told them to. Hmm…makes me wonder, how did they get my “bad” gene when I am their step-mom. I guess it doesn’t have to be a genetic trait!) we had breakfast. A egg/bread casserole dish along with Polish kielbasa, bread & cream cheese dip, nut bread and of course we can’t forget the mimosas!
Then it was onto the presents. Kendall had so much fun and Santa did not disappoint. She got the video games she wanted as well as the Barbie doll.
In the afternoon I took my mom and Chris' mom to see Marley & Me. Cute movie and a good movie to see on Christmas Day. I had never gone to the movies on Christmas. I couldn't believe how many people go to the movies on that day. So much for the religious and spiritual aspect of Christmas!
Christmas night was lovely – had dinner with Chris’ rents and my mom (and Kendall) and then Chris took his parents home. I cleaned up, K got on the computer and mom went home. Wonderfully relaxing!
