{merry christmas}

To say this will be a Christmas to remember is an understatement...

We spent Christmas Eve day taking the kids out shopping for each other. They chose names at the first of the month, and were excited to pick out gifts. We were supposed to go earlier in the week, but were grateful everyone was finally feeling well enough to go. We headed to Target, and Rick and I split the kids up to go around and look. It took a little while of maneuvering, shifting packages from one cart to another, and a some coaxing, but everyone was happy with what they chose.

Our Christmas Eve tradition is to go out to eat, which is actually more of a gift to me. :) The kids love it too, and we don't go out as an entire family too often. After dinner we came home, changed into pajamas, and rounded up our Nativity props. They are very simple, but they do the trick! We assigned parts, and Emma became Mary, Kate the angel, Rick the donkey, Henry the innkeeper, Jack a shepherd, and Rick the ever faithful donkey. I assumed my usual part as narrator and camera operator. Once the boys' costumes were off in the first minute, we knew we would have one chance, one very quick chance, to go through it, and we were right. The shepherd was trying to ride on the donkey's legs, the innkeeper was playing with Legos on the couch, and the angel was too tired to stand up. I LOVE it. Really, all these things make it one of my favorite traditions, because it is a true picture of our family at the time.


After the Nativity, we put the babies to bed, then snuggled down to read the Christmas story (again--this time a little quieter), and a few more favorite stories. Cookies were then set out for Santa, and of course a bowl of sugar for the reindeer. Kids were tucked into bed, and Rick and I started our traditional night of wrapping and Christmas movies. We dug out all the gifts from their respective hiding places and got to work, then Rick went downstairs to put the final touches on the girls' dollhouse. Finally it was time for bed, and we were ready!

.....


This is when things got interesting. We had been hoping all week that Rick and I would avoid the sickness that invaded our house. Such was not the be. Late Christmas Eve night we both knew we were in trouble, and come Christmas morning we were both miserable. When the kids came in, we dragged ourselves out of bed. Rick kept the kids upstairs, while I got everything ready downstairs. Once they let me take their picture on the stairs, they were free to go to their stockings. It was craziness, but the best kind there is. Henry and Jack didn't really know what was going on, but they did recognize the candy. Pretty soon, Reeses PB cups were filling their mouths, and they were looking for more. Kate was ecstatic that Santa remembered her bunny, and Emma received another pig, just like she wanted. Ryan was happy, too!


Traditionally, we eat our Christmas breakfast before opening all the gifts, but Rick and I could hardly stand the thought of any kind of food, and didn't have the energy to cook. So, we forged ahead and started opening--we didn't hear any complaints! Ryan was shocked by a gift (happily), the babies each got some of their favorite things, and the girls LOVED their dollhouse. Rick and his brother Robert really outdid themselves--it's beautiful! We call it the "Neopolitan House", because it's cream, pink, and chocolate brown. It includes a stained maple wood floor, arched doorways, barn-style shutters and door, and planked wood furniture. It was just so fun to see each of their faces when they opened something that they really wanted!



We spent the rest of the day just trying to survive, and I feel so sad that we weren't able to do the things we normally do on Christmas Day. The kids were troopers though, and we are looking forward to Rick having the next week off, so we can spend a lot of time together doing the things we love.

Despite it all, we were together, and were able to enjoy so many wonderful Christmas traditions and activities this year. Merry Christmas to each of you---we wish you the very best, from our family to yours!