Christmas 2009

We had a great traditional Christmas. On Christmas eve we head to Stephen's mom's house for dinner. This year she made German food, since the Bettwieser's are German. We went down early and went sledding with all the cousins. I was amazed at how brave Asher was. He would jump on his little saucer and go down head first on his belly. Macy went only a couple of times, she's still not that keen on the snow.
After dinner we always act out the nativity and then sing some Christmas songs. Then the grand kids open their matching Pajama's from grandma. They are always so adorable. I think this is my favorite tradition of all!
We open presents after that and the kids are so excited. This year Stephen got a skeleton model that the kids have named "BOB," the evening turned into a anatomy lesson. The kids all sat around Stephen while he explained different bones of the body for over a half an hour. It was amazing to see the kids so interested in it.







The next morning Macy and Aiden were the first up. This year, I asked Santa to wrap all the gifts, so that I could see their surprised faces when they opened the gifts. I actually think this is now the way to go. Instead of the kids being so overwhelmed with all the gifts just sitting there on the couch, now they actually stopped to play with each toy as they opened it. Christmas morning lasted a lot longer this way. They were all very excited for their gifts. They got everything on their wish lists and are happy kids. Another tradition I have is to get the kids an ornament that signifies something big for them that year. This year Aiden got a piano, Asher got a little ornament with a missing tooth that says, "Quinn the Pirate King" and Macy got a princess carriage that playes Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (her favorite song this year.) Stephen and I got a baby turtle to remind us of our fun cruise without the kids.


Macy got big girl panties from Santa, and immediately went to use the potty.

Around 11:30 we headed to my mom's for presents with my brothers and sisters. We had a great time opening gifts and Macy was so funny. She kept asking grandma to give her more presents. She's really gotten the hang of the gifts this year. She was very excited when she opened her Strawberry shortcake gift. I've never seen her eyes so big!
Around 4, we headed to aunt carries for a family dinner. We played card games and uncle mark made a jib jab video for Asher. He thought that was so funny!

On Saturday we cleaned the whole house. I don't think I've been this organized in quite a while. We then headed to the farm for a nice visit and to let the kids play. We had a nice time, and now we are home to our own beds and fighting children to go to sleep. They are wired on all the sugar they have been eating.

So, our Christmas was great and I can't believe we have lived here for 2 years. Where has the time gone? Stephen is heading out on another med school interview in a couple weeks, we are anxiously awaiting any news. Wish us luck.