Christmas 2015

It took me a little longer than usual to get in to the Holiday spirit this year. Having so many other larger things on our priority list made the idea of Christmas sort of stress me out. Each Christmas season I desire to make it all "picture perfect." With hopes of buying for every single person on our list, following through with all of our old traditions, while creating unique memories and incorporating new actives, the pressure can become just too much. And, the reality is, life just doesn't go that smoothly.

This year, I had big intentions of following through with the advent calendar I put together at the very beginning of the month. This included one festive activity we were to fulfill each night. Things such as family game night, make ornaments, drive around to see Christmas lights, build gingerbread houses, etc. We were probably only able to complete about 7-10 of the activities, but it still helped remind us all what Christmas is really about. 

Having a 2.5 year old to explain the idea and meaning of Christmas to is a bit overwhelming, but at the same time quite awesome. Being so young, he has a fresh perspective on all of it. It is our opportunity to teach him right from the very beginning. Our ultimate goal is to teach him there is far more to Christmas than Santa and receiving presents if you're a good boy. It sounds cliché, but my desire to raise humbled children who would rather give and do, not only during the Holiday season but throughout their everyday life, is honestly one of my biggest goals as a parent.
This year we made salt dough Christmas ornaments, built a gingerbread house, decorated a Christmas tree to put up at Grandpa's spot, enjoyed the Christmas lights around town, drank lots of hot chocolate and made quite a few homemade gifts.  It was a busy, busy holiday season.

I put so much work in to making Christmas morning magical for our little man. So much shopping, wrapping, prepping, and trying to get Drayze to understand the entire concept of Christmas. On Christmas Eve I was so busy between working half the day, gathering last minute gifts, finishing up wrapping, and preparing treats for parties   It wasn't my ideal way to spend the first half of Christmas Eve, but it was necessary. That evening we attended a Christmas dinner at Zac's sister Jana's house where we were able to spend much needed time with some of Zac's siblings, nieces, nephews, and his mom. It was super nice being around everyone and catching up. After Jana's dinner, we stopped by my Grandma's house to drop off a few presents and say hello. As usual, the family had planned on playing games in to the wee hours of the night. It's always fun, but I had been go-go-go the entire day, I was ready to relax with just my little family in our quiet home. 

When we arrived home we opened our Christmas Eve pajamas, made some hot chocolate and watched a couple of Christmas themed movies on the couch. It was the perfect evening. 

The next morning I waited anxiously for Drayze (and Zac) to wake up. I wasn't quite sure what to expect from Drayze. He made it out to the living room and saw what Santa had delivered before we did, so we weren't able to capture his reaction like I wanted too. The first thing he went for was of course his stocking full of candy. It took him a minute to get in to opening his present, but once he figured it out he started loving it! He did grow bored about half way through. He just wanted to open and play with all of his new toys. Which is what we did for the next few hours. We ate breakfast, played toys, and enjoyed the happiness of Christmas. 

Zacary surprised me with the mini Polaroid camera I had been wanting. Even though I coached him in to exactly what to get, I was very impressed he made it happen. He even went above and beyond buying scrapbook supplies and some jewelry to go with it. 

The rest of Christmas Day we spent making the rounds between grandparents houses and just enjoying being home as a family. Of course, each year we host a Christmas poker game with all of Zac's oldest friends. This year not as many people were able to make it, but it was still a decent turn out. We all had fun, and Zac even ended up taking second place! 

It was an awesome Holliday season this year, even if I didn't get every single thing on my to do list checked off. I've come to realize myself it's doesn't need to be "picture perfect" to be magical. In fact, the more simple the better I am learning. 

This post is ALL over the place with no flow what-so-ever. A lot like our Holiday season this year. ;)

Our tiny Christmas tree for our tiny house. {It's actually not quite as small as it appears in this photo}







We started the Elf on the Shelf tradition this year.





We named him Frosty McJingles



Salt-dough ornament making

 

The following day we painted the ornaments. Drayze's cousins came over that evening so we decided to let them each paint an ornament and take one home.

 

Building gingerbread houses is definitely a favorite tradition for these boys. I love watching them tap in to their creative sides.

Drayze meeting Santa this year was so cute! Santa came to visit at Grandma Michelle's work. As we walked up to the door, Drayze caught a glimps of Santa through the window, Christmas Magic washed over his little face. He couldn't get inside fast enough. Drayze ran inside and jumped right on Santa's lap. It was a priceless moment I never want to forget!

Drayze asked Santa for a train and a sucker!

This year Zac and I hand-made our Christmas cards. Unfortunately this meant we didn't get as many delivered as we typically do. They turned out pretty cute, but I think we will stick to the quick, online Christmas cards in the future.

 

We started a tradition for Grandpa this year. Each family member is to make an ornament to place on Grandpa's tree.  It was kind of a last minute thing we put together this year, so not everyone was able to make ornaments, but it still turned out beautiful I thought.  More important than the ornaments was being together as a family to decorate the tree for Grandpa and take time to remember him.

This was a fun little game Karen put together for the kids. "Naughty or Nice" You punch through the paper on the cup of your choice, inside you'll find a lump of coal or a little treat along with a paper telling you if you're naughty or nice and why.  It was really cute, and the kids really enjoyed it!

Drayze a couple of days before Christmas

My boys on Christmas Eve, snuggling in their new Christmas PJs and watching a Christmas movie.

Watching a Christmas movie on Christmas Eve. Drayze's last Christmas as an only child.

After Santa's arrival after the boys were fast asleep!

When Drayze woke up he walked out to the living room as he usually does. He was pretty excited to see Santa's delivery, but he quickly became extremely quiet. When I walked out to see what he was doing, he was digging in to the candy in his stocking. He knew it was too early for candy, so he was trying to be very very quiet so mom and dad wouldn't know what he was up to and take his candy away!

Sleepy face Christmas pic. <3

The aftermath of Christmas morning is the happiest mess! Looks like a Christmas bomb went off in the house!

I've always loved Christmas Day after everything has settled down and everyone is just enjoying their new gifts.

Exchanging presents with Papa Randy and Grandma Karen!

The traditional Christmas night poker game. Starting from the left, going clockwise:
Brian Eyre, Cameron Painter, Atlee Osbourne, Mr. Diamond <3 (2nd place), Troy Mortensen, Cory McEwan(1st place), Brett Mortensen, Tanner Cowan.

 

It was nice to be able to see Sonny and Teresa (Zac's mother and step-dad) on Christmas Eve. Grandma Teresa gifted Drayze that little hat he has on in this picture. Poor kid has an extra-large head it didn't even come close to fitting. He sure tried and tried to get it to fit though! haha... Brother should be able to wear it though! ;)

 



......and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!