christmas at home

Christmas this year was kept simple and celebrated at home. About two weeks before the big day, we walked around the corner to the tree lot on our block and picked out a beauty.

We didn't decorate it until the next day, but in the meantime, the boys found ways to have some fun with it.

"Mom! We did some decorating! Take our picture!"

The caroling around the tree, Charlie Brown style, was instigated by Garrett.

Of course, they enjoyed it even more once it, and the rest of our halls, were decked.

Eyeing those ornaments.

 Reading a storybook ornament.

Photographing his favorites.

Searching for the camouflaged pickled ornament by the light of the tree.

 Their stockings were hung from the bookshelf with care.

Though I have no photographs to document it, our annual Christmas Eve Walk Around Dinner of appetizers was great fun. The table, and counters as overflow, hosted a bounty of crackers, cheese, chips, pumpkin cupcakes, tortilla pinwheels, mini 7-layer dips, toffee squares, Christmas cookies, party mix, hummus, deviled eggs, veggies and fruits, calzone bites, and miniature macaroni and cheese bites. It was glorious. We invited some friends over, two little families from our ward, to help us eat the smorgasbord, and they were great company. This tradition, which our little family adopted from Blake's growing up years, is fast becoming one of my favorites -- because what's not to love about fun food and good friends to eat it with?

After we'd eaten and chatted and played for a few hours, Garrett noticed the clock and that it was past his bedtime. "Oh no! Santa's coming! WE NEED TO GET READY!" And he and Caleb rushed off to put their pajamas on in record time (asking us periodically to assure them that they'd been extra good that day). Then they quickly cobbled together a plate of cookies and dashed off a few letters to accompany it. Their frenzy had the unintended side effect of rushing our guests out the door, which I regret, but all the kiddies were getting tired, so it was bound to happen soon anyway.

Christmas morning this year was about as magical as they come. Everyone is currently of an age of full belief and/or adorable curiosity. We made the bigger boys wait until the little ones were awake before let them into the living room, which wasn't easy, but ultimately worth it.

 Waiting for Daniel to wake up already.

Matthew didn't want to line up, and Daniel didn't care for Matthew's hysterics. Everyone recovered about two seconds later.

 Santa came!

Santa did well this year. Garrett is digging his Snap Circuits set, world and US atlases, and a set of piano books promising lessons; Caleb's favorites include a small kinetic sandbox and new art supplies (stencils and rubber stamps) and the walkie talkie set he and Garrett got to share; Matthew loves his set of wooden cutting food and minion paraphernalia, including both Despicable Me movies and a minion shirt, and a reproduction Fisher Price music box record player; and Daniel seems quite content with his small toys (a car, a ring of wooden beads, and wooden stacking rings that make such a lovely clacking sound) and a stocking full of baby teething crackers. The three bigger boys are also enamored with their Lego/Duplo Creator sets, though following the instruction booklets to build things has a tendency to tax their patience.

Blake was happy with the shaving stuff I got him (he does love him a good shave), and I'm excited to get started on a new bedspread for us with the fabric he let me pick out.

The rest of Christmas day was spent talking (both over the phone and video calls) with far away family and playing with new toys. Dinner was also a simple affair, mostly because neither Blake nor I was interested in preparing and cleaning up a big show. It consisted of chicken salad on croissants with sides of vegetables and cranberry sauce. I almost served it on paper plates, but decided we could be at least a little dignified for Christmas.

By the end of the day we were pooped out (though a few of us pooped out much sooner), and sad to see the sun set on such a magical day. Luckily for me, I still had the Call the Midwife Christmas special to watch after the little boys went to bed and Christmas chocolate to eat while I did. It was the perfect way to end a lovely day.

I think he crashed mid-plank.