Tuesday, December 27, 2011

A Happy Huhliday

This Christmas was the first one we've spent at home since 2007 when Jimmy was born.  We definitely miss celebrating the holidays with our friends the Izumihara's in Hawaii but it's also been fun for us to come up with new traditions to celebrate at home. 

First we decorate the house with lights and put up the Christmas tree right after Thanksgiving so the house feels festive the whole month.  We have holiday music playing every morning - Jimmy's favorites are Jingle Bell Rock and Santa Claus is Coming to Town (Ashley hasn't told me her favorites yet).  We go out with friends to see the light displays at Candy Cane Lane and watch my favorite holiday movie "A Christmas Story" on Christmas eve.  After the movie, Jimmy declared "I don't ever want a BB gun - I'll shoot my eye out!!"

Late on Christmas eve, we wrapped the doorway to the living room with wrapping paper so Jimmy can burst through the paper and see the mounds of gifts that have appeared overnight under the Christmas tree. 

I feel so blessed to have such a happy, healthy family, a roof over our heads, food on the table and wonderful and amazing friends like you!

Ashley the Christmas Elf!

Jimmy left Santa his favorite meal - mac n' cheese, chicken nuggets, broccoli and water...mmmm.


What a lucky kid!
Giddy from opening so many presents!


Alex and Teresa with their stocking stuffers.

An inappropriate picture of Pete with his summer sausage.

Ashley loves her new "laptop"!

Most awesome gift award goes to Alex & Teresa who got Pete tickets to the Rose Bowl!

Ashley's new baby doll

Auntie Annie!


Pete and Scotty

Contents of Ashley's cart: balls, hot dog, a raw steak and milk

So glad cousin Lori came by!

4 comments:

  1. So what did Santa end up eating from Jimmy's generous offerings?

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  2. Santa ate EVERYTHING... he had so many cookies at other kids' houses that he was hungry for savory snacks!

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  3. We had so much fun! So happy we were finally able to spend it with you guys. Look at all our happy faces! sis

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  4. LOVE Jimmy's favorite meal left for Santa. very original. Thanks again for having us. we had a blast and were thoroughly stuffed.

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