C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S

I've been putting off doing my "Christmas" post in hopes that I would think of some cute and clever way to sum up the holiday. But here I sit, at a quarter-to-midnight, on the 6th day of January, and I've got nothing but some cute pics. And not enough pics. I failed to take pictures of at least 3 significant events that occured while all things were 'merry and bright'. And some of the pics that I managed to get, I stole from Lisa. Looks like I've come up with my first resolution for the new year: Take more pictures. I'm not really a resolution kinda girl, so here I sit, on the 6th day of the new year, coming up with my first resolution.

Back to the task at hand...

I'm going to attempt to go through with the only idea I had and hope that it all falls into place somehow as I try to document the 2008 Christmas Season....Wish me luck...

*Author's note: I had hopes of keeping the titles holiday themed while going through each letter but I'm just not that good...please excuse the randomness...
Creating traditions, Cousins, and Christmas Trees



**This year we decided to exchange family gifts based on a family movie night theme. We had dinner at Steve and Lisa's, my mom played games with the kids, and we exchanged gifts.
**In order to keep little hands off our big tree, the kids get their own tree. I put ornaments in a box at the base of the tree and they decorate and un-decorate it however they see fit.
Happiness, Hopping, and Havoc-wreaking



**We attempted an impromptu photo shoot that resulted in the above pics...If I was the type to actually send out Christmas cards that's what they would have looked like.
**Carson started using his johnny-jump-up and is now a jumping fool. We can't believe how much he loves it. He even fell asleep in it one morning!
Repurposing ornaments and redefining fashion


**Sophie is an incredibly entertaining little girl...
Ingenuity Abounds

**This was the toy Spencer got to open at my mom's when we celebrated Christmas with my Grandma Landoni the Sunday before Christmas (that was wordy!). It shoots out Hot Wheel cars when you pull back the lever. The next morning Spencer decided to build a ramp for his cars to shoot off of...I was pretty impressed with his idea and he was un-impressed with my inability to get a picture of the car on the ramp. Those cars shoot out fast!!
Spending time with grandpa and grandma


Trimmings on the tree and around the house


Messages to Santa

All Bundled Up and Adoption


**We've adopted a very friendly homeless cat from our neighborhood. He's the kind of cat that just wanders from house to house looking for a little love. Our landlord gave us the okay to start letting him in during the extremely cold weather and he quickly made himself right at home.
Stockings, Santa, and Sleepwear



**The kids opened their stockings and played with their Santa gifts while we waited for my mom and dad. They go from house to house Christmas morning to share the excitement with the grandkids. Before opening any gifts from us, Spencer had already declared this the "Best Christmas Ever!" He absolutely loves the Batcave Santa brought!

All in all, we had a fabulous holiday season. Spencer's excitement was contagious. Sophie learned to say "Oh my gosh!" just like Spencer did every time we passed a house with tons of lights. Rachael, my mom and I made cookies and carameled apples (but I think I was the only one who delivered any of the goods). We had spaghetti and spent time with our grandma's. We remembered our grandpas. I realized that I now lose sleep Christmas night anticipating my childrens excitment like I once anticipated my own. We shared Christmas morning at our house with my parents and my grandma. We hauled home a ton of loot after opening presents at my parents'. We had lots and lots of snow. We ended the season New Year's Eve playing games with Spencer, drinking sparkling cider and missing the ball drop. It was a great 2008.