Christmas #1:
We started a week early and had Christmas in Dows on the 18th with Erik's mom's side of the family. We left late morning and got there just in time for lunch. After lunch we hung around a bit and then opened presents. I was curious to see what Kyler would do, if he would be really in to opening presents or not. Well, he was not as into it as I would of thought. He would come and open one and then want to run around for a bit, then open another one a little later (with a lot of encouragement) and then go run around for a while again. After presents, we hung out for a while longer before heading home early evening. Erik's aunt and uncle had three foster kids with them all under the age of 2, so Kyler really enjoyed playing with them. I had my camera but failed to take any pictures. :(
Christmas #2:
On Christmas Eve we went over to Erik's parent's house to celebrate with his immediate family. We went over around lunch time, ate lunch, and then opened presents. I was again curious to see how Kyler would do with the presents thinking maybe he would be more interested since he had just practiced a week before. I was wrong again! :) He opened a few and was interested, but then he had some chocolate teddy grahams in his stocking that he decided he needed to eat so he took a break and had a snack. :) This worked out well because it gave the adults some time to open some of our presents and then Kyler was more interested in finishing his pile. After presents we came home, Kyler took a nap, Erik and I got ready for church and then we headed back to Erik's parent's house for a quick dinner before church at 7:00. Erik's parents came with us to church as well as my parents. It's kind of nice that everyone is here in town so we just all go together. :) Then after church we went to my parent's house and had pie with Erik's parents and my aunt and uncle. Having pie after church is something that we have done for as long as I can remember, so it's been fun to keep that tradition going and include Erik's family. After pie, we came home, Kyler got a bath, and Erik headed back to church to work the 11:00 service and clean up for Sunday morning. Here are some pictures from Christmas with Erik's parents:
Watching daddy shovel all the snow we got on Christmas Eve
Opening his stocking at Grandma and Grandpa Blanchard's
Taking a break for a snack with David and Leah :)
Opening his new tent!
Opening his BIG monkey from David and Leah! (It is bigger than Kyler!!) :)
All dressed and ready for church!
Our family on Christmas Eve
Christmas #3:
We slept in a bit and then got up and opened presents with just the three of us on Christmas morning. This didn't take very long as it was only Kyler and he's still so young. Obviously in the next few years this will change! :) We then ate breakfast and got ready to go to my parent's house.
Christmas #4:
We headed over to my (Ashley's) parent's house to have Christmas with my immediate family. Kyler was a little more interested in opening things here, so he got a few done, but once he opened a drum and a wooden ball set where you pound the balls through, he was good to go. :) The break again allowed us adults to open some presents and then we watched Kyler finish up his presents. He was intrigued by the clothes he got and wanted to wear them on his head instead of opening other things. One thing he was especially excited about (that wasn't wrapped) was his new basketball hoop he got! It's a little tall for him right now, so we taped another hoop onto the post of it until he gets a little bigger. However, he is still enjoying playing "hoop" as he likes to say. :) Here are some pictures from this Christmas:
"Wearing" his new pjs and watching Ben take the plastic off his new toy
Opening his drum!
Playing his new drum! (Notice it's on top of the other toy) :)
Waiting to try out his new hoop!
Christmas #5:
After some waffles for lunch and a nap, my (Ashley) mom's side of the family arrived for the final Christmas of the day. There were 22 people total that arrived around 3:30 in the afternoon. It was sad in a way because it was the first Christmas that my Grandma was not able to attend. She wasn't able to come to Thanksgiving either. She is in the Lutheran home here in Cedar Falls and her health has gotten so that we are not able to transport her out of the Lutheran home anymore. She turned 95 years old on the 21st of December and we are thankful we were able to celebrate that milestone with her! Back to Christmas...after everyone arrived we started to get food prepared to go in the oven and ready for our big meal. After the food was in the oven and ready, we started to open presents. The kids went first and had a ball, then they went to play and the adults had their turn. Kyler was back and forth again, but opened everything by the time the kids were done. :) When we had opened all the presents, we cleared out everything and got ready to eat dinner. We had a wonderful meal of ham, two kinds of potatoes, salads, veggies, bread, and pie. After dinner everyone hung around, chatted, played games, and enjoyed the evening. Here are some pictures from this Christmas:
Passing out presents...
Driving his new tractor from Great Aunt Mimi
The adults opening presents
Kyler with his new sock monkey made by my cousin
Having a snack with Great Uncle Nick
Overall we had a wonderful Christmas! I always love this time of year and am sad when it's over. We were very blessed by the gifts we were given and the time spent with family and friends. But most importantly we are thankful for the birth of Jesus! I am excited to continue the traditions we have started with our kids and add some new ones as our family grows and changes. We hope you and your family had a great Christmas as well and we wish you a Happy New Year!
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