I don't even know where to start with this blog entry, as the past week has been such a whirlwind of travel, family, eating and being merry.The festivities were kick-started early last week when Nanny Natalie picked the girls up from school for a Christmas Tea Party:
The girls made cookies,
Drank real tea and a special meal,
And even shared the tea party with their baby dolls. Apparently this is a family tradition with Natty to have a fancy tea party for the littles every year. So special that they wanted to pass that on to our girls.
Miss Kay (and also Mr. Dave) have a special bond with the girls, which I talk about fondly often. They are almost like another set of grandparents. I simply adore how close all of them are. In fact, I shared the end-of-the-summer DVD Natalie made the girls with my mom and sister yesterday and everyone was in tears. The pictures and videos are evidence that they have such a special bond.
We packed up the car last Friday for a few days in Ft. Wayne with Mike's dad. As soon as we enter their doors we sigh a breath of relief, as it's just so relaxing to be there and so at home. It's hard to explain, but we just all love being there. Every year Bob & Laura have all the family over for dinner, drinks and games. You never know who will pop in that night. And there are lots of us coming and going, as we all go to different church services. Just fun to have the constant ebb and flow of friends and family.
Speaking of church, every time the minister said the word "Jesus" during service, Laney would blurt out rather loudly, "JESUS!" Not really sure why, but none the less, it was comical. She and I had to leave the service near the end so we ran through the hallways back and forth. Until Laney discovered the life-sized nativity scene and wanted nothing more than to touch baby Jesus (I can't blame her, I mean, she is into babies this year). So that was fun trying to play baby Jesus' defensive line so as to not dismantle the entire scene. Talk about sweaty armpits!
Laney has taken a strong liking to being in the kitchen whenever anyone is cooking (Mike is happy that one of the ladies in the house has an interest!). Here she is helping Grandma Laura with some appetizers:
A sister picture before church (yes, the girls wore these dresses last year, but we had another size up and they were just too cute not to wear again).
One of the biggest tradition at Bob & Laura's house at Christmas is making pizzas. Bob makes the dough from scratch then we all make our own personal pizzas. The kids love it (and have their very own personalized chef's hats).
The adults always do a white elephant exchange on xmas eve and we just laugh so hard at what we open. I'm sorry to say I didn't get a picture of the twins tee-peeing the house with the 5 rolls of register tape Mike gifted from his bank days. Too funny.
The girls made some reindeer food and put it outside, all while Mike made up some hilariously ridiculous chant about how the reindeer will find the food and Santa will deliver his presents. We all laughed so hard and the girls were in heaven doing their little reindeer food dance.
I also taught Izzy the art of present snooping & guessing. My Aunt Gail and I did this every year since I could remember: shaking, squeezing, guessing every present under the tree, even if it wasn't ours. Laura finds it funny that I do this and even has an ornament on the lower part of the tree that senses motion and goes off every time I get near the presents. Love it. Izzy and I both got a few of the presents correct...and Iz even got a little carried away and started opening one of her presents. Oops! And Kim reminded me of the year when we were kids that when our mom was gone we opened each others' presents then re-wrapped them. Guess the impatience in me has always been in my nature!
Another tradition (can you tell I LOVE traditions?!?!) we have during this holiday is Santa waking up everyone in the house on Christmas morning. I grew up with this same tradition: every family member sleeping at my grandparents' house in Michigan and Santa waking every one of us up with his jingle bells, sitting on his lap and getting a gift, snapping a few pictures then off he went to the other houses. My mom told me Grandpa Bruhn started this when Kim was a baby and continued it through my college years, even dressing up on the off years my sister and I spent xmas morning at my dad's house. The best memories of my childhood were these and I am elated that I can pass this tradition on to my girls.
This year I wizened up and took video of the wake-up call, as I never want to lose the magical memories. Anyways, as soon as Santa came into our room I turned to Laney said, "Santa's here, do you know what that means?" Thinking she'd reply with PRESENTS! But her response was, "I NICE!" Guess we've been drilling that into her all month with the Elf and all. Ha! Laney also kept asking where Bobo (Bob) was...so I had to keep diverting her to the mayhem that was ensuing in the living room with Santa.
Izzy got exactly what she wanted from Santa, the entire set of Princess B.arbies!
And Laney got a very special, restored antique bunk bed for her babies:
With 15 people in the house it takes quite some time to get through presents. We take our time, taking breaks for breakfast and then open gifts one at a time in order of age. Love that it is drawn out and takes up half the day. Just special family time. Laney got tuckered out and had to watch a movie mid-way through to have some quiet time of her own:
Another of the girls' favorite presents was a large doll house. They play with Natalie's and Bobo's doll houses so we knew this would be a hit!
Some of my favorite gifts this year were a Ni.ke running hat (below), running mittens, new running tops and jackets, and several other marathon accessories. Like I said on FB, it's been a very marathon xmas for me and I LOVE it.
Monday we drove up to Michigan to spend with my family (the Keels). One of Izzy's favorite presents was a "Merry-oke" that you sing into and it changes your voice into an elf's voice. So funny, even the adults have been using it!
Think we like stripes?
Tuesday evening my Grandfather, Aunt & Uncle joined us for dinner and we sat for hours reminiscing and chatting up a storm. My grandfather's long term memory is impeccable and I love asking him questions, having him recount his young adult life, young married life, new parent life and much more. Since his short term memory often fails him, I take advantage of the long term that I love hearing about. We found ourselves choked up at times and laughing at others. I simply love him so much and cherish our time together.
Reading a book with Grandpa Tom
Making cookies with Grandma Anna
We drove back home to Indy on Wednesday in time to pick up my mom from the airport. Was a day of unpacking 6 days' worth of laundry and presents...I loathe that day, as I can't sit down until it's all washed and organized. Phew, glad that's behind me! Anyway, my sister and her kids also joined us and we have been baking (another 150 cake balls), playing games, going to the movies and creating obstacle courses in the living room for the girls. It's been a fun visit and I'm fairly certain the girls are having fun:
Izzy & Taylor sporting their double french braids. These cousins are so close!
And these sisters have taken to hugging and holding hands. But don't get me wrong, they still can wrestle with the best of them. We witnesses several of these matches over the last few days and I'm not kidding when I say that Laney wins. Every. Time. Hilarious.
That's all I have for now. Which was a lot. But I simply have to document the mundane details, as I have a horrible memory, and I want to remember everything. Every. Single. Thing. Still have off until Tuesday, and boy am I ready for more of this quality time. Next up? A long run with my running sisters and NYE with good friends. I'm loving this long vaca!
ps-Don't worry, I have already cleared it with Santa and he will definitely be coming to Florida with us next year. And so will all the pizza fixin's. Hear that? That's me sighing in relief :)
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