Merry Christmas

What a fun Christmas we had.  We spent the weekend before Christmas in Grundy Center with Grandma S and Grandpa.  It was nice being there alone with the grandparents.  Alena and Grandma S spent a lot of time playing dress up with her hats and necklaces.  They also made peanut butter Ritz crackers dipped in almond bark.  Alena got a little crazy with the sprinkles!  She also went sledding for the first time with daddy and had a great time, even when she fell off the sled and got snow in her face.

Grandma S and Caleb

Grandpa and Caleb

The babies pretty much stayed on schedule while we were in Grundy Center.  Caleb rolled over for the first time from his tummy to his back. 

 

Christmas Eve day we headed to Ames to spend time with Papa and Grandma Joyce.  Alena enjoyed putting puzzles together with Papa before we headed to church. She was too excited about getting dressed up for church to take a nap!  After snapping a few photos of all the kids dressed up, we headed to St. Cecilia Church for mass. Alena liked listening to the children play Christmas tunes on different instruments.  The babies ate at the beginning of mass and then were awake the rest of the time.  As usual, Lauren's head was on a continuous swivel checking everything out.  She particularly liked the large Christmas tree at the front of the church and all the lights. 

We continued our annual tradition, and headed to The Mandarin for dinner.  Every year we comment about how many more people are at the restaurant (the first year we did this, there were maybe one or two other families eating there).  We were hopeful the twins would sleep during dinner since they were up nearly the entire church service, but soon after getting our egg rolls and crab rangoon they woke up.  It had been about three hours since their last feeding so it was time to eat again.  We asked for two glasses of hot water to warm up their bottles and chuckled when the waiter brought out two "tea pitchers" full of hot water.  Papa and I multitasked and fed babies while we enjoyed our chinese meal! 

Once back home the fire was stoked and Alena was allowed to open one present.  We all watched A Christmas Story before Alena got a plate of cookies ready for Santa (she loaded it up!).  She also left a glass of milk for him and some carrots for the reindeer. After getting that all set out, she decided to get a glass of water for the reindeer (what a thoughtful girl!).  After all the kids were in bed, the four of us played a couple games of golf before heading to bed. 

Just the Girls



Christmas morning, Alena was more excited about putting together puzzles than opening presents. We didn't open gifts until around 10:00 AM.  The kids all got some great gifts:  Alena got an easel, easy roller, clothes, books and probably her favorite gift, a harmonica!  The twins got some toys and clothes.  After enjoying homemade cinnamon rolls, we packed everything and everyone up and headed back to Urbandale. 

The twins slept while Alena opened her gifts and their gifts.  She was most excited about the scooter Santa brought her.  The rest of the day we spent playing with gifts and putting them away. 

Overall, it was a great Christmas-with all the traveling we did, we were very glad we had our mini van!