Thursday, January 1, 2009

Wrapping it All Up…







I’m so far behind on 2008, that I’ve decided to just start up with the new year! Christmas was wonderful! We scaled back and it was really nice. Less stress and less focus on STUFF! We’ve been building our own traditions over the year, so it takes the whole Christmas season to fit it in. One of the highlights for us is to attend Christmas Eve, Eve service. It aligns our hearts and slows us down. By going on the Eve of Eve, we aren’t focused on getting back in time for dinner and presents at Poppa’s and Jana’s. We also have twice baked potatoes and make smores in the firepit. We really rough it, with two space heaters to keep us warm (in the AZ desert).

Christmas Eve was lovely- we celebrate with the Skogebo clan. It’s also Kristina’s birthday- our Eve baby! The boys got a “radio flyer” wagon from the Tylers and rode around the house in it a ton. It has a sun cover…how cool is that?!

Christmas Morning, we were awoken by very excited children at 6:20 a.m. Someone even woke up Carter (how nice). Mom struggled with being kind and remembering that this is their holiday. Really struggled. Daddy was nice enough to let her go back to sleep after the Santa gifts and stockings were unpacked. Santa brought Carter a rocking horse, Jack an ASU football outfit with helmet, Tatum a Cabbage Patch doll, and Hannah a “build your own muppet”.

Grandma and Uncle Chad arrived just in time for French toast casserole and sausage. This is Mom’s new fav for Christmas morning, since you make it the night before and no one really focuses on the meal anyway! With stuffed bellies, we clear off the table and prepare for the unwrapping. Jack, in ASU costume, is most pleased with his new big boy bike! Daddy gets a Speed Racer bike jersey from the kids. Uncle Chad- a coffee maker for his new place.

After laying around, eating more and even napping…we pack up for the Tylers for a ham dinner. Everyone plays Wii Fit and compares their Fit ages. Football is on. As we sit down, we notice Tatum breaking out around her mouth. By the time dinner is over, she’s covered in full on hives. So we apologize for skipping out on clean up and head home. The kids are fried and tuck in for a nice long winter’s sleep. Besides, it’s time for one of the best post Christmas traditions…our Christmas to New Year’s vacation! We’re heading out to San Diego tomorrow! Hooray!

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