Christmas 2010...

What a great Christmas! But I always say that... every year. So let me show you what was great about this year...

The greatness started when my mom and dad and brothers--Paul and Todd--arrived a few days before the big day. We loved having them here to share this special time with us. The kids thought it was pretty special to have them here, too. They were probably the only ones who truly appreciated Christmas Eve dinner, helped with Christmas preparations into the wee hours of Christmas Eve (including a trip to the neighbors house for a "Christmas miracle" to replace a missing part), and doted with us over the kids' excitement over all things Christmas.

The gift giving started early, with the biggest surprise coming the afternoon of Christmas Eve. A PIANO!!!


I was drying my hair in my bathroom when I came out to remind Paul to take out the recycling can to the curb for the garbage man. I'm glad I didn't use my super naggy voice, because as I came around the corner, Abby ran up to me and exclaimed, "Mom! We got a new piano!!!" "What??"



The first playing of the piano...



It didn't take me long to realize the door was open and there were strange male voices coming from our (empty) music room, and as I came to the doorway, Paul told me I needed to tell them where I wanted my Christmas present. !!! What a surprise... still glowing over it. Thank you, thank you Paul. :)


The anticipation of the day was so fun with the kids. Here, Bekah and Michael are re-reading all the tags, wondering what is in their packages, and excitedly pointing out the ones they wrapped.

(Notice the pre-piano emptiness of the room??)

During the day, the kids played with uncles and grandparents, watched Christmas movies while last-minute shopping trips were made, read a ton of Christmas books, and finished their own preparations for gift-giving.

That evening we had a red-and-green Christmas dinner. They helped me make the menu... they are good brainstormers. Ravioli with red sauce, green beans and tomatoes, strawberries and kiwi, green and red veggie tray, and a tomato-mozzarella-basil appetizer they saw somewhere and wanted to make. We made dinner to Christmas tunes... fun times.

Michael was proud of his creations.


Abby sampled the raspberry drink before preparations were finished... the red around the mouth was positive proof.



We ate by candlelight (battery operated... I learned my lesson at our candlelight Halloween dinner when Ella singed her hair...) and the light of the family room Christmas tree...

Once dinner was over, we did our nativity reenactment. We split off to find costumes.

This year was a little unique... and I've never heard anyone having this special addition... but this year we had a twin baby Jesus duo.



That's right... we couldn't agree on who got to be baby Jesus... couldn't agree to take turns... so we just had two. Both swaddled. Both laying in the pretend manger. Aren't I a lucky Mary??

Ella was a donkey who said moo while jumping and dancing...



Paul was Joseph. Michael was a Wise Man carrying myrrh. Mom was a sheep/shepherd with an incredible baaa, Todd the Wise Man carrying gold, and my dad (who chose to take the picture instead of showing off his costume) was the Wise Man carrying frankincense.


Lovely.

After reading the nativity from the Bible (thank you Todd) we moved into the music room and had our first gather-round-the-piano experience singing Christmas hymns and carols. To me, it was picturesque and fulfilling. This was probably my favorite part of Christmas Eve. Thanks family. And thanks again, Paul... you made my wildest Christmas dreams come true...

I have always loved singing harmonies with my family. Thanks for joining in. It was a special time.


The music room with Christmas lights....

After singing, we gave the kids their first Christmas presents... new jammies and a new book. We set out treats for Santa and his reindeer, wrote a thank you letter, then hurried upstairs. I read one of the Christmas books before settling them to bed. A fun bedtime.


I love the Christmas nighttime routine. No fussing about going to bed FAST. It is a rush, and obedience is never a problem. Soon they were all fast asleep.

That night, Santa was busy. He left quite the stash for the good boy and girls in our house.

They all got what they had asked for...

Michael's electronic football game. And quite the addition to his collection of NCAA football helmets.


Abby's pretend kitty (which looks more real than pretend... complete with meowing, purring, and licking of paw). Bekah's pretend violin. And he threw in a great dollhouse to share because they have been so very good this year.


Ella's little red wagon and a dollhouse of her own (not asked for... Santa just knew...).

And stockings stuffed full of favorite trinkets, toys, and tasty treats.

And "sound asleep" lasted most of the night for most of the kids. Michael, however, came down the stairs at 4:30 saying, "Mom, I just can't sleep anymore. I'm just too excited and it feels like morning should already be here."

We talked about his excitement for a while then I said, "Michael, should we see if Santa came? Do you want to take a quick peek with me?"

We poked our head around the corner for a few seconds, then rushed back to my bed. I asked him "What did you see?" With wide eyes he said, "My football game... and a bunch of new helmets!" Just with that small peek, he was able to name some of the team names on the helmets...

We agreed that he could sleep in our bed for the rest of the night. I told him he needed to sleep until about 7am. I think the sneak peek did more harm than good... he told me "I just can't stop thinking about those helmets and wondering about the ones I didn't see!" He tossed and turned for a while, explaining in wonder that "every minute that goes by feels like 10 minutes." I think we both got a bit more rest before it was 7:30 and Michael was anxious to go upstairs to get the girls.



The kids were so excited to come down the stairs. I think those moments right before seeing what Santa brought are one of my favorite parts of Christmas. Then the audible gasps and shrieks of delight. Love it...

When they first came into the room, Abby went right to her pretend kitty, exclaiming "KITTY!!!"


Bekah went right to her stocking to see what was stuffing it.


Ella played with her toys in her new red wagon.


And Michael and Paul spent quality time together reading the directions and figuring out the football game.

I guess I didn't take many more pictures of the day... after Santa presents, we ate a breakfast of sticky buns, eggs, little sausages, and OJ. Then we gathered in the family room with the rest of the presents to/from each other and took turns opening those. I really enjoyed seeing the kids' excitement in giving their gifts this year... they were so completely confident that they had the perfect present to give. Especially Michael with the pillow pets he picked out for each of his sisters. And he was right... they love them!

I loved having my parents and brothers here to share it all with us. They were so fun, took the craziness in stride, and joined in the memories of our family. I especially loved that we got to feel of the love of my parents. It added so much to that great feeling of Christmas.

Later that day we joined with more family members for a movie: Disney's "Tangled." It was our second time, and the kids (especially Abby) loved it even more than the first time. We were joined by Paul's parents and grandparents, Stephen and Hillary, Hannah, and Lafe. It was a great time.

We mingled at the house for a while with food and talking. Matt and Angela and their family joined us later that night... AJ and Marc joined us the next day. And thus began the Risenmay Christmas celebration that lasted another 3 days. So fun...

Another great Christmas on the books. It was a year of new traditions for our little family... being the first real Christmas we have had together in our own home. (I only half count the year during residency when Paul had to work at 6am so we woke the kids up at 4:30 to open presents while daddy was there, then play with presents while he was gone all day...). I loved focusing on my children and enjoying their experience.

Christmas gets better and better every year... but I always say that.