Our Merry Christmas

Some traditional activities we were able to participate in this year included visiting Santa Land, going to see Santa at the mall, Christmas school parties, gingerbread house building and decorating, Christmas at Nana's house, decorating the tree, driving around town to see Christmas lights, viewing the Land of Sweets window at Kingsgate, and holiday baking. For the first time, we were able to go to the Polar Express Train Ride and go on a horse drawn carriage ride.

We really had a great Christmas this year. Kris and Erika were able to come to town, DD had the day off, and the weather was beautiful. The kids were able to get out and play with all of their new toys.

Here's a list of everyone's favorite gift:

Cecil- a new car stereo

Cas- a temperpedic pillow

Noah- temperpedic bear pillow

Joseph- a Poke'mon figurine set

Nevaeh-her Powerwheel

Claire- pink toothbrush that sings My Little Pony (she wouldn't put it down to open other gifts!)

Claire was so afraid of Santa, AKA HoHo. It's so funny because she has several shirts that say, "I love Santa". She made us promise that HoHo wasn't coming to our house on Christmas eve. She was afraid to go to bed, thinking that he would come here!

Joseph is a real believer in Santa. There's nothing that Santa couldn't do in Jospeh's mind. When he saw Santa this year, his face lit up and he was all a flutter. Joseph wrote numerous letters to Santa. Only a few were wish lists, the others were letters to say how much he loved him and to wish him well.

Nevaeh is also a hard core believer. She loves Santa. She talked his ear of when it was her turn to sit in his lap. When it was time for her to get out of his lap, she cried and said, "I forgot to give him a hug and kiss."

Noah has been really questioning the whole Santa thing. I think he has asked everyone he knows! On the Polar Express, he said, "I know for a fact, that guy isn't real!" I makes me so sad that he doesn't believe!

This was Cecil's first Christmas without his Mom, so Christmas had a different feeling to it this year. Santa has always left him a stocking full of goodies at her house. I would always laugh when he opened his stocking. "As long as you believe, you will receive", he would reply. So this year, it was my honor to keep the tradition alive. Santa left him a pack of boxers, some candy, and Goo Gone.

Santa forgot that he had to fill my stocking until he was in the check out line at Wal-Mart on Christmas eve at 5:15pm! So, my stocking had Fritos, a travel size can of bean dip, some water, and a snicker. The kids were so excited about my loot, and helped me eat it!