We liked Christmas over here.
Especially since it started at 7:45. Dave woke up at 7:30 and told me that was the first time in his whole life that he’s been the first one awake on Christmas morning.
The kids claimed that they woke up at 3:45 and I’ll just say hallelujah that they were able to go back to sleep because, man alive, Santa and his elves were pretty noisy until super late this year.
Santa leaves our kids’ stockings in their rooms before he leaves. They usually all gather in Max’s room to eat candy and get excited ’til they can wake us up, but this year we were there with them.
It was fun to watch the delighted four older kids wake up Lucy and show her her glowing toy and dried apples filling her stocking. She was pretty darn happy about it too.
The tradition is that they sit on the stairs at 7:00 and sing Christmas songs ’til we wake up. Again, our sleepiness wrecked havoc on tradition, but we eeked out a couple songs while Dave got the video camera ready.
Lu also got a little hamster zoo-pet thing or whatever they’re called, and this was the note Santa wrote to go with it:
Lu was scared of it though, so not a huge hit. (And man oh man did I ever want to get the puppy…some day…).
Dave got a bike.
I made the girls some photo books…Grace’s was her baptism book…Elle’s was just a year in pictures. The plan was to do this for all the kids, but hmmm…that didn’t happen.
We finally caved in and got an iMac. Oh boy were these kids happy. See how Grace’s in mid-air and Elle has fallen to the ground in excitement? This was a split second after Max ran out of the picture from sheer amazement to give us a big hug. (And Claire is wondering what the heck this thing is that’s creating all the fuss.) Man oh man it has sure been a hit around here. Little did we know that really, we could have just done the computer and not a single other thing the kids would have probably been pleased as punch about it.
My dear brother was here with us again for Christmas and it was so fun to have him around…especially since he was sure pretty handy like a real elf on Christmas Eve. We love Josh.
The in-laws came over for breakfast (as per tradition) and we loved basking in the Christmas spirit all morning.
Ever since Christmas morning, Lucy has been found here just about every waking hour:
Yeah, Claire’s present was the biggest hit in her book. She has drawn a bazillion pictures, which is awesome since she’s been using the easel instead of her own skin for her sketch pad.
And now we’re already on for the NEW YEAR tomorrow!
I have my “one word” theme for 2010 all ready to go and I’m excited. Click here or here if you have no idea what I’m talking about. More about that later…
Happy New Year!
You have the BEST traditions – totally inspirational! I keep telling myself I can slowly add traditions over the years, because I just don't have it all together yet (my kids are 4, almost 3, and almost born).
Christmas traditions are the best. I love the ones that just randomly happen and then seem to stick throughout the years. My little girl was peaking over my shoulder as I read this post and she wondered how on earth your girls got to go outside and ride their bikes in zero snow when she has been stuck inside zipping across my kitchen floor on her new scooter. 🙂
Hey, will you do a post on your opinion/experience/tips with power 90? It seems like I remember reading a post some time ago that mentioned you were doing it. I've got some friends and cousins jumping on board with it (tis the new year after all!!) and I thought I'd ask you what you thought.
ps. I just picked up a copy of your moms book, "I didn't plan to be a witch." Looks great.
i love Lucy's pj's. what a fun christmas! we got the imac last year and we just love it so much ive been trying to talk chad into letting us get another one. I'm tired of fighting the kids to use my own computer!
I love how happy your kids are. Also, great idea for the photo books. I need to do that next year.
looks like so much fun!!! glad you've kept some of the old traditions but sad that you can't enjoy eggs benedict 🙂 i LOVE the pic of grace in midair over the imac. what is with her new chipmunk smile, by the way?
love and miss you guys. wish SO much that you were here.
Love the tradition of sitting on the stairs singing Christmas carols while they wait. LOVE IT!!!
Thank you for being one of my very favorite blogs in 2009. Your family is precious and I love how *intentional* you parent. May God bless you all in 2010.
You took such awesome pictures! I took a break from my camera and only took a few and now I'm regretting it! Love the gifts…we purchased some of the same…funny.
Shawni, Any chance you will ever teach a photo editing class sometime when you are out in Utah? The color in your pictures is AMAZING! I'd love it if you did!
wonderful pictures of christmas. wonderful smiles. my favorite you gave was the imac. they are the best. darling family you have. the kids are so cute. happy new year :O)
Sounds like a fabulous Christmas, Shawni. Hey, I can't wait to read about your word or phrase for 2010. I've got our family theme picked out and I'm really excited about it. It's my first year doing goals this way.
Love your blog!