Merry Christmas 2011

I would like to go on record and say this was one of the best Christmas's yet. So relaxing, so simple, so low key, no muss and fuss.

We'll maybe just a little....
After rescheduling three dates, we finally made it as a family to "A Christmas Carol."

The Ghost of Christmas Future is so much more intimidating on stage. He's just a softy in real life!
The first two dates didn't work because Marshall was travelling for his new job, a two week training!

It turned out great cause our first reschedule allowed us to attend Santa on the Square in E.T. and get together with our friends afterward.

At the school Christmas Play Trent had a starring role. "Claw" Bear. In Bailey and the Bees. A heart warming story about giving and taking care of each-other.

There never was a cuter bee, buzzing on her kazoo.

They did a great final number with the whole school. Catchy tune...."Glor-i-ous! Absolutely Marvel-ous! Fabulous! Won, won, wonderful. Beau, beau, beautiful. Love, love, lovely lets celebrate!"

Decorating Cookies at Grandma's.

Minus the snow! We'll have to get some sledding pictures another day, if it ever does snow this winter!!

It's a toss up whether there was more sprinkles on Callie's cookies or in her mouth!

Being veteran Caroling Party Hosts, we had that one in the bag. Marshall even made figgy pudding. You know its a party when someone lights a dessert on fire! Sing it...."Now bring us some Figgy Pudding, now bring us some Figgy Pudding....!" Marshall fulfilled his dream of green pants with Red Plaid Ribbon Trim. Callie and I splurged at the dollar store and bought the musical tie. What will he come up with to add to the outfit next year???

Awwww! Picture doesn't do it justice. (Don't ever let anyone tell you the new I-Phone camera takes great pictures!)

Christmas Eve at my Mom's, complete with a fabulous Pork Tenderloin and Domino Potatoes compliments of my Uncle Butch who is a fabulous chef. Great to have him back in the kitchen.
After the majority of the clan left we had our family gifts and snuggle/smokes time with Auntie Kate's belly and the boys stinking up the place with their Christmas Cigars!

Though I don't love the lung pollution, isn't my Dad Bad A**!

Santa was remarkably good to Callie this year. All along, the thing she wanted most was a Nintendo DS. I kept telling her NO. That's all we need is more electronic distractions! "Well I'll just ask Santa for it then," was her response with hands-on-hips in the sassy-est, most defiant voice her 6 yr old self could muster. And me with hands-on-hips saying, "Well I'LL just call SANTA and tell him, I say NO!" Guess what Callie found under the tree.

That Santa and me are gonna have some words. It's becoming clear to me, the control I thought I had over this household is a bit fuzzy.

We minimized a bit this year. I missed our traditional Christmas morning breakfast with the rest of the family, but, I didn't miss the rush of it.

Marshall the kids and I had a nice morning with perfect sticky buns and p.j.'s til we dressed to go to Marshall's Parents.

And speaking of minimizing, I love the fact that the kids gifts are getting smaller. This year, all traces of Christmas gifts have already found a place, where as years past, they sat out for waaaay to long cause there was just soooo much bulk to them I didn't know where they should go.

This Christmas came and went really fast. I am already missing it and relishing in the memories. I think what makes this Christmas so great was the fact that we kept with the tradition without the stress of going over the top. Sometimes its the simplest things that make the most difference.

Merry Christmas 2011. Sending Love.