Christmas 2014

The holidays this year were extra special with our new family of 4.  It was pretty low-key, which was really nice.  I love getting to spend time relaxing and really enjoying the season.

We started out celebrating Christmas with Paul's family the weekend before at Aunt Laurie and Uncle Scott's house.  They always do such a nice job hosting!  Uncle Scott set up an electric car set, so Owen was in heaven!

Hattie being loved by her godparents, Bob and Dawn

 Our family of 4

 Hattie wasn't sure if she should smile at Uncle Bob and his crazy singing, moving antler hat, or cry

Auntie Dawn and Uncle Bob always are so generous with the kids.  Owen LOVED his Lincoln logs!

We spent Christmas Eve morning at the 8th floor of Macy's to see A Day in the Life of an Elf.  Owen thought it was really neat.  Paul and I saw it several years ago, but it was fun to experience it again, through his eyes.

 Sleepy elves

 Woof!

 So excited to show Daddy a little mouse running through the elf kitchen

 Singing trees

 Animals decorating Christmas trees

 My two cute boys

 The reindeer stables

 Penguins hanging cranberries on the trees

 Look at all the letters to Santa!

 Yum!  Elves make the best candy!

 ...and cookies!

 Putting the final touches on the toys for Santa

 He liked the elves, but he LOVED....the escalators.  He begged and begged to go on them, so Hattie and I waited at the top and Owen and Paul rode up and down.

 We spent Christmas Eve at church.  Owen fights us about getting dressed every single day, so I decided that I was not going to fight with him about wearing dress clothes to church.  Unfortunately, we didn't really get to enjoy church as a family because the incense seemed to really bother Hattie.  She screamed when they first lit it, so I took her out.  Each time I tried to go back into church, she screamed as soon as I could smell the incense. 

Santa came to our house!  We enjoyed a leisurely Christmas morning opening gifts and playing.  Owen helped Hattie open her gifts and enjoyed showing her what he got.

 

 Stocking stuffers

 Showing Hattie her new giraffe paci holder

 Rollerblades!

 Santa brought Hattie a tooth and she wasn't very happy about it!  Opening gifts and getting a tooth is hard work!

 Opening presents with Nana and Papa later in the afternoon.  He wore the helmet from his roller blades for much of the day!

We had a wonderful, relaxing Christmas day with Nana and Papa.  We had a four course fondue lunch (but if you ask Owen, it was just all about the chocolate fondue and brownies).  Owen was a lucky duck and got a scooter!  Between that and the roller blades, we've been hanging out in our basement more the last few days than we have the entire time we've lived here! We've been impressed with how easy he's picked up both the scooter and the roller blading.  Can't wait for summer!

We hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas!  Have a Happy New Year!