Christmas was fantastic this year. It was the first year (out of two) that Kelsey got what was going on. I'm totally getting ahead of myself because I still need to talk about Christmas Eve.
Its amazing to me, that even at 26, Christmas Eve is the longest day in the world. The waiting just gets terrible because I knew what was coming. The day was filled with very normal Christmas Eve activities like cooking, baking, waiting, watching Muppets Christmas carol, setting the table, waiting, naps, entertaining two little girls and yet again, waiting.
To keep Kelsey happy, while Norah was asleep we let her sit at Norah's "table" to color. For the 2 minutes she stayed here, she loved it!
When both girls were awake, we put on Muppets and did all we could to keep them happy until dinner was ready.
I got to set the table this year and I was really feeling silver and gold. Maybe I watched Rudolph too many times, but I just didn't want to use the traditional silver and blue. I was a little hesitant at first, but the center really grew on me. Thanks to my mom for having so many random silver and gold ornaments. I think I literally took all but one off the tree.
I'm a bit obsessed with how it turned out so here are 3 pictures of the same thing
The waiting paid off and we finally got to eat and it was DELICIOUS!! I don't know if its because Ethan and I never buy expensive meat, or my mom has gotten even better at cooking (probably both) but I swear I have never had a better piece of Prime Rib in my whole life. It was amazing. What I love too, is that my mom is super flexible with traditions. She is totally fine with changing things. As long as it looks and tastes good, shes good. Its a great way to be.
The Menu:
Prime Rib, rolls, crab bisque, anti-pasta, apricot juice, baked potatoes, beans, and my favorite: Cream Cheese Pie! Since there were less people this year we got huge pieces too!!
Every year, Diana and Robert give their kids a cracker at Christmas eve dinner. It has a toy, a joke, and hat inside. I was in love with this tradition the first time I saw it and promised myself that the E Wing family would continue this tradition for as long as we can. I brought up some crackers to share with the Nelson side and it was a huge hit. The toys were not as cool as calculators and strawberry duffel bags, but a top, paper clip, floating bird, and clicker thing can get pretty fun for newbies!
The girls finished their meal before the rest of us but played nicely and we got some adorable pics!
After dinner and clean up (we didn't have to hand wash because of the new dishwasher! Christmas miracle!!) we had our traditional
Christmas scripture reading and singing. My dad had to cut it a little short this year because there were two very tired girls, but it was still very special and the spirit was strong. After we finished we put the girls to bed and it was time for Santa, adult style!
Nothing says waiting for Santa like a couple a cold ones and Aggravation (which Ethan won again!)
Christmas Morning!!!
We awoke Christmas morning and went upstairs to hang with the Nelly's just waiting for Kelsey to wake up. Well we waited and waited and waited and after 45 min we decided to wake her up! I think we are the only parents in America that had to wake their kid up on Christmas morning and I'm sure it won't ever happen again, but it was time to get the show on the road. We were too excited to see what Santa had brought!
A bored and not too patient Norah, and a very sleepy, still kinda asleep Kels!
Norah, who was much more awake and ready took the charge on this one!
Kelsey was taking too long, so Norah took off! However, once she saw Norah playing and saw all the fun awaiting....
this is the face we got!!!
With two 18 monthers, naturally there was confusion as to who's toys were who's, but mom and dads helped sort things out. In this picture, Norah is playing with Kelsey's toys and Kelsey is headed to Norah's toys.
Santa knew exactly what Kelsey wanted this year....
and it took no time to put the new toys to use. Forget Elmo! She had a cousin
After some playing, some assembly, and some fighting :), we decided that everyone would be much more fun if we had some breakfast. I think the adults were happier with this decision than the kids. After breakfast burritos, it was finally time to pass out the gifts. After like two gifts Kelsey started falling asleep. We decided that it would be more fun if we stopped her gifts and put her to bed which she happily agreed to. Luckily, she only slept for like 45 minutes so she didn't miss out on too much of the fun.
Last year Kelsey didn't even know what was going on. This year she saw the present and thought they were pretty. It took her a few times to realize that the fun is inside the paper. She needed help for about 3 gifts and then it was game over! She loved it so much that she started helping me and Ethan. The hardest part was keeping her out of her cousins gifts.
You can give a girl all the presents in the world but ultimately its the fruit snacks from her stockings that win her heart
I think my favorite part about a toddler at Christmas is that they LOVE everything they get. Every present she would go WOW!!! And want to play with it right then! We had to make sure that we didn't go to fast and overwhelm her, but she was eatin it up!
Trying on new clothes and reading new books
Proof that Ethan and I made an appearance too!
And there is was... Christmas morning EWing at the Nelson home style. The rest of the day was spent playing games, sitting around, eating, sleeping, hanging out, and watching movies. For dinner we copied the Petersen's and did a treat Christmas meaning that on the 23rd we all went to Costco, picked out any treat that we wanted and made it on Christmas day as dinner. It was awesome!
And this is what your face looks like when your mom realizes that the only thing you have eaten all day is blue M&M's! Merry Christmas Kelsey. That will never happen again. Hope you enjoyed it.
Kelsey had a fun day and crashed hard and fast. After our movie I went in and found her sleeping like this! So cute and so tired! She didn't even kinda move when the flash went off. Poor tired baby.
Unfortunately Spokane did not have a white Christmas but I kinda think it was one of the prettiest Christmas's I can remember. We awoke to this really heavy fog that just like froze at ground level. It lasted all day and was gorgeous. It stuck to everything and luckily Rich took some pictures of what the trees looked like.
