Christmas Eve

'Tis the night before Christmas, when all through the house,

not a creature is stirring, not even a mouse

The stocking are hung by the chimney with care

Evie was very concerned Santa could not
get around the fireplace screen

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there

The children are nestled all snug in their beds,

While their parents can't wait to rest their weary heads.

The day has been busy with cookie baking,

Mama couldn't wait for what Auntie L was making,

The Maryland version of the Italian Traditional
"Seven Fishes" Xmas Eve Dinner- CRABCAKES!

But first to church to hear the choir sing

The kids would rather be coloring

Silent Night with candles is always so pretty

Even though these two were getting kind of gitty

When taking cute pictures there arose such a clatter,

It was Uncle Jason tooting, that was the matter.

The kids were having fun so they cried when we had to leave,

Penny also has to go back to the North Pole on Christmas Eve.

But in her place was one gift under the tree,

It was an ornament and some Christmas pjs.

The morning will bring a glorious sight.

Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Christmas 2015: Home for the Holidays

Happy birthday, Jesus!  Merry Christmas!

This year is bittersweet for Jason and me.  This is our 10th Christmas at 708 Marianne Lane, the 10th time we have put up that pre-lit tree from Target, our 3rd year in a row waking up with our kids in this house, as well as our last time for all the aforementioned.  It's on to our new house, a REAL tree, and new traditions with our kids.  We are ready for the next decade!

Before I get all emotional and reflective, let me stay focused on the here and now.  Last year we were all up waiting for the kids to come down... this year, there were up and rolling before some of us (ahem, Daddio) wanted to get out of bed (ie the pull out couch)

Daddio didn't share Braylen's excitement over his stocking.
Someone had too much red wine last night...

The gift opening was crazy and over quickly...  

My Little Ponies for Evie and a big boy bike for Braylen

A Lightning McQueen bike!

Even a few gifts for Parkie

personalized suitcases for all those trips
to grandparent's houses (wink, wink)

The kids were yet again spoiled with lots of toys, clothes, and other goodies.  Onto North Carolina in the morning!

Christmas 2015: Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve, my most favorite day of the year!  However, it feels like are in Florida for Christmas this year.  It. is. hot.  Like I had to turn on the air conditioning hot.  I mean, I have only had flannel, footed jammies for this exact day stashed away for months.  There will be flannel pajamas tonight even if that means the air conditioning is pumping.

On the flip side, Evie had 3 fancy dress options for Christmas Eve and conveniently one was short sleeved.  It was also glorious to pile all of us in the van without one coat worn.  That's pretty incredible.

First up- 4 PM Christmas Eve service

Be still my heart.   That Braylen is Trouble.

No Christmas sweaters this year; polo shirt for Daddio!

Second "event"- Open gift left by Penny, our elf

Penny always leaves behind a present with Christmas pajamas for the kids before she heads back to the North Pole.  This year, matching reindeer jammies.


Third "event"- Dinner

Mema, G, and Poppop ALL are spending the night tonight!
What a fun way to spend the holiday

When in Maryland, thee shall eat crab cakes on Christmas Eve.  It is a delicious, fancy looking dinner ready in minutes.  This is my best way of combining my Italian family's 7 fish dinner with my favorite protein.  Until I can take on making 7 fishes AND get to Christmas Eve service, crab cakes it will be.  New tradition.  Check.

Fourth "event"- pajamas, family reading of The Polar Express, tracking Santa, and plate of goodies for Santa and reindeer

Santa is still far away!

We don't go over the top about Santa.  The kids like talking about the reindeer and Penny the elf.  I think it's sweet to see them put out carrots for the reindeer and the way their faces light up with some of the surprises (just look at B above) done by Penny and Santa.  It won't be like this for long, so we're going to enjoy that extra magic that happens on this special night while we can.  

Off to bed.  Merry Christmas!

Make New Traditions but Keep The Old

The thing I will miss the most about leaving on Marianne Lane is spending time with our precious Smith family buds.  I hope after we move we will continue to get together for traditions we Lisa has started for the girls.  One of them is to make gingerbread houses with just moms and girls.  We started when the girls were two;  now we are on year three and the girls are eager to decorate houses without our help (and eat not as much icing).

Since both of us have been busy with house projects this month, the Christmas spirit hasn't been in full force.  To get us more in the holiday mood (and because the outdoor temperature finally feels like Christmas), we piled all of us except Karl (working hard on floors) in the van and went in search of some holiday cheer.

First stop was the fire station in Arbutus.  We normally go to Ellicott City fire house's train garden; however, we thought we would give this one a try.  I might be converted for the next few years to go to Arbutus- easier parking and all the displays were at kid viewing height.  

Dusk was upon us, so off to look at lights.  We hit up the talk-of-the-town light display which upped it's already amazingness by adding a dance floor.

It was laser target practice on our faces.

Future best prom date contenders
(Bray in red coat and Alex in hat)

By now it was 5:45 PM and we were all hungry and cold.  This house has it all though- LED lights synchronized to music, dance floor, AND free hot chocolate and popcorn.  'Tis the season to eat junk for dinner!  Hope to do it again next year, Smiths!

Christmas Day

Merry Christmas!

Ready to see what is under the tree!

Evie was concerned they didn't eat it all

After Braylen's initial outburst over his bike, the gift opening commenced.

Too bad the Eagles aren't in the playoffs...

Kiki has an upgraded ride

Braylen was very impatient excited to open all his gifts

 The "big" gifts were bikes this year

This big girl is ready for the big bike!

And Braylen is ready for a bike

After some short lived playing with their new stuff....

...We packed it up for G and Poppop's house!

It's a stay in your pajamas kind of day.
Safety first!

I was shocked by the self-discipline of Cole and Hannah; all the gifts were still wrapped under the tree when we arrived around 10:45.  Once we were there though... let it begin!

Maybe we should just ask for money towards an
orthodontist instead of gifts!

Gifts, gifts, everywhere!

How I wish those were our My Little Ponies...
they are the 1980's version though ;)

Toaster Oven to stay at G and Poppop's house

Cole's fort

Another year worth of "G and Poppop's Grandkids"
Gosh those books are a lot of work  leading up to Dec 20th,
but they are worth my time.  We are on volume 3.

Gifts, wrapping paper, toys, squeals of delight, 5 pieces of egg casserole, playing with new toys, sweatpants, egg nog, laying around, and my family in my childhood home: that about wraps up the day.  It was low key and delightful.  

The kids got a ton of great gifts!  There was one gift the adults really enjoyed.  (We got these standing in line at Old Navy on Black Friday..)  Best. stocking. stuffer.

The black one is my favorite.  

And no family vacation or holiday would be complete without a trip to the ER or the Black Plague.  Poor Hannah spent the rest of Christmas and the day after laying on the comfy leather couch.  Flu?  Maybe.  We'll see who is next!

Besides Hannah, Evie's best playmate and bud, being out for the count, it was a superb Christmas with my peeps.  I loved being at my house that morning then at my home that day; the best of both worlds I love so much.  As always, thanks G and Poppop for hosting and letting the circus take over for 3 days.  xo