Christmas 2010

This Christmas was extra special with the birth of Amelia in early December, but it was also extra special because this was the first year that we celebrated Christmas at home. We were lucky to have both sets of grandparents stay with us over the holiday. It was simple, quiet, and low key, but considering we had a newborn in the house, it was perfect for this year. We skipped out on a few "typical traditions" this year in light of the fact that Amelia was so new, and we were getting our acts together as parents of two little ones. Hopefully, Madeline didn't feel too jipped this year not seeing the Christmas lights at our local park, keeping the house decorations to a minimum, setting out cookies and milk for Santa, using our Elf on the Shelf, and leaving reindeer food on the front lawn.

On Christmas Eve, we enjoyed a traditional turkey dinner. With my mom's help, I was able to prepare a pretty yummy meal. It was a first for me to make such an elaborate holiday meal, and I'm looking forward to next Thanksgiving when I host my side of the family. I think I'll be able to reproduce the deliciousness!

My first ever turkey --- after we cut into it.

We've decided that we want our children to wake up in their own home on Christmas morning. Madeline experienced her first Christmas morning with gifts from Santa under the tree. We didn't build up the whole Santa thing with cookies & milk & reindeer food nor did we use our Elf on the Shelf since Madeline is just not quite there yet with understanding all these concepts. I mean, she did call her baby sister Jesus, so I think she had a lot to comprehend this year. We plan to add these traditions next year.

Santa indeed found us in our new neighborhood.
Eric and I really enjoyed setting out the gifts.
However, Madeline was pretty stoked up about her gifts under the tree on Christmas morning, but it was also a little overwhelming for her. She knew something big was happening, and she totally understood the present thing. But, it was definitely a lot for her to take in with all of us watching her and making such a fuss over her. Madeline really seems to like to keep a low profile when it comes to being the "center of attention".


Eric and I have decided that quality is more important than quantity when it comes to gifts from us and from Santa. For us personally, we just don't believe that our children need gobs and gobs of gifts from us & Santa --- a few special items under the tree & some stocking stuffers are certainly a gracious plenty for our children in our minds. Madeline was very excited about her new tricycle, a Fancy Nancy book, Dora slippers, and some Fruit Loops in her stocking. (Yes, I am the mean mom who makes her kids eat "healthy" cereals, so that means Fruit Loops become a great treat!) Honestly, I think the Fruit Loops and Dora slippers were among the favorites.






Amelia really got into the festivities.
Madeline enjoyed wearing one of her dress up gowns, entertaining Amelia, and hanging out with us in the kitchen while we prepared our Christmas dinner.

We had a wonderful Christmas, and we were able to create many Christmas traditions of our own this year. We look forward to carrying out these traditions in years to come, and start a few more as we are more settled with our home & neighborhood, Amelia, and our circle of friends.