All the Christmas Things II

...Back to Christmas!

We went all-out Santa this year. Ivy had a truly precious list of things she wanted.

The Santa visit went better than I expected. Ivy was genuinely excited to see him although she didn't care to sit on his lap. She did give him a hug though which was a huge shock!

We went to a nativity festival in So Jo. It was beautiful, fun for kids, and there was a special feeling there.

Now to Christmas Eve!

We breakfasted at the Marriott.

We reenacted the nativity.

Grandma had her traditional grandkid talent show which had some nice additions this year like shimying and juggling.

Grandpa even recited an original poem which included a hilarious last line which no one will soon forget. We're hoping reading that poem is a new yearly tradition although no one else swears that I'm aware of, so we'll have to figure out who will read it down the line.

After all that we headed home for our own family traditions/my birthday celebration.

For my birthday I decided I wanted to go to Cafe Rio for one of my favorite dinners (29-year-old me is very into guacamole) and then visit Temple Square.  Also I think we finished up FNL Season 1 for the millionth time.  Tim Riggins for ever.

On Christmas morning we took Ivy down to see what Santa brought and she was very excited to try out her basketball hoop. It was so precious watching her open all her gifts because she would want to give each one a try before opening any others. We'd do all the puzzles, play all the games, try out all the toys. She loved getting a new robe, painting with her new Water Wows, and playing Don't Break the Ice. My family came over for the afternoon and then I made just us a big Christmas dinner. I think we ended the day working out. Haha but that is just how we like it.

Later that week for Scott's birthday we actually took the entire day off and finished the day with Ivy's first bowling outing and some Texas Roadhouse.  We joke that this is our home away from home because no restaurant compares (except almost Cafe Rio, obviously).  2018 ended preeeetty well for us.

All the Christmas Things I

Now that we're in January, I'm feeling too far removed to write a very great post about all the Christmas things but I'll try my best.

It was the best holiday season.  From all the Christmas library books (Presents Through the Window was Ivy's all-time favorite) to the indulgent treats (hello first time making sugar cookie bars) to the new home decor, it really was my favorite Christmas I can remember.

The season started off with a new made-up-by-me tradition of donuts, Christmas pajamas, and home decorating.

Christmas Sunday was also a treat.  We said, "See ya suckers!" to our terrible afternoon church time slot and went to the Hillcrest 5th ward in AF.  Of course there were lots of Bruening performances, and in all seriousness it was a great meeting and made me well up multiple times.

As always the snow was fun...at first.  I'm trying to embrace the "look how pretty this snow is!" attitude, and it's working somewhat.

...to be continued...

"Bingerbed" Houses

For the first time ever, we made gingerbread houses at home!  Let me tell you, it is a completely different experience when all the preparation and mess is in your own abode (I've never had such a messy kitchen in all my kitchen-owning life), but we still had a good time.  I made the wise decision to hot glue the structures and then we just decorated them this time around.

Ivy filled her house full of teddy grahams, which was cracking us up.

We've been reading a book called, "Mortimer's Christmas Manger" where a mouse eventually lives in a gingerbread house.  I think Ivy thought we might be building one big enough for her to live in as well, so that was a slight disappointment, but this was a fun Christmas tradition and we'll do it again next year!