Well, I'm finally through the worst part of my work schedule. Today, after making a pot of chicken tortilla soup, and enjoying a steaming hot bowl while watching the snow fall (thank goodness all the crap will come out of the air with it for the health of my family), I finally find myself with a few moments of time to post about the wonderful Christmas we had.
We started out with another Christmas Party on the 22nd. We went to my brother's house for a more intimate family party.
Dinner
Brother and Sisters
Eating cookies instead of decorating them...
Are you sure that cookie has enough frosting, Kyle?
Talia and Hunter take a break from the chaos
The kids perform
We enjoyed an evening of good food and fun with my family, and the kids exchanged presents with their cousins. It was nice to be together as a family.
It was my year to work Christmas Eve. People often ask me why we have to work holidays. We (my co-workers and I) like to joke "sure, just tell those patients to go home over the holiday, we'll close the hospital, and then they can come back when we reopen. It's just one of those things that most people know, but don't think too hard about. I knew when I chose my profession that weekends and holidays would be worked. The miracles and wonderful things I get to have a hand in make it worth it.
So, back to it, It was my year to work Christmas Eve. I also ended up having to work the 23rd, but we managed to find a few minutes to open our Christmas Eve Jammies before I headed back to work.
I went to work, and things were pretty slow and stable for most of the night.
I was totally in the spirit, all my stress of the previous couple of weeks had gone away. However, we had a patient crash around 2 am, and was not expected to live. I was really upset, because it was a completely unexpected event. I came home very sad and teary, to find a box with my name on it in the middle of my kitchen counter. It contained these...
A beautiful hat and scarf handmade by a very good friend. There's a line I remember from a book I enjoy "she had worn the finest silks, the thinnest, softest cottons, but this gift of a sweater handmade by a friend gave her more joy than anything else she'd ever worn." I felt the same about this gift, it immediately lifted my down spirits. THANK YOU!!!!!
I went to bed, and the plan was for the kids to let me sleep until 8, then I'd get up and we'd all open presents. It worked pretty well, Cole actually had to wake the kids at 7:30. He fed them breakfast, then I got up and we opened our gifts.
Santa came!
I always worry a little, the amount of packages gets smaller as my boys get older...but they were thrilled with everything, I'll have to try to remember not to worry too much next year. Cosette always joins us (Indy was around somewhere too, he was just too hyper for me to catch him with the camera)
Some favorites...
Grandma and Grandpa send their presents to be opened Christmas Morning, even though we usually see them in the afternoon. It keeps the mess out of their house. I think they've nailed it, because in the aftermath, my house looked like a tornado hit it. Twice. :) Anyway, Grandma made beautiful new afghans for all the kids...
They also gave them each a bunch of cute clothes! My kids all love clothes, which makes me grateful!
Daddy wears Talia's new tiara...I'm so glad we had a little girl so Cole could get in touch with his inner princess!
New clothes and perfume for Jen
An ipod for Cole (he's been lukewarm on the idea of an ipod, but is really enjoying it!)
Cosette thanks me for her new collar! (seriously, that's what happened!)
We finished up, left a lot of the mess, and I went to lay down for a few more minutes while Cole opened up the boxes for the kids. I slept about 45 more minutes, then I got up and we all got ready to go. We headed over to my parents' house...
The kids opened still more presents
Nana and Papa gave Talia the Swan Princess Castle, and most the accessory sets. She LOVES IT so much...
Alec's favorite thing was this...
These night vision goggles actually work REALLY well...we were really impressed with them! Alec's way into the spy thing right now.
Kyle's starting to get old enough for "grown up" toys...he loved the iHome stereo for his new iPod!
My parents gave me ski pants...I'm excited to hit the slopes next week!
These next pictures have the BEST story...my SIL Brenda's laptop was accidentally ruined a while back. My brother has spent time "throwing her off the scent", so to speak, about her getting a new one for Christmas. She was totally not expecting this, and was wonderfully emotional...My brother did a really good job surprising her!
My Mom got some kind of new golf clubs...
After awhile, we headed over the Christmas Dinner at Cole's Parents'. I got this pretty shot of the mountains through the trees...
I love the reflection of the sunset on the snow!
Completely wiped out after a long day (and no nap)
We came home in the evening. The kids played with their new stuff, and Cole and I started to clean up the carnage. We put them to bed, then we crashed too.
We had a very good Christmas. Despite all the stress I've had this month, I'm a bit sad it's all over.
At least we still have some vacation left to enjoy things. Yesterday we took the boys to Avatar (it was really good, better than I expected it to be) and we have a few more things planned for the rest of our vacation time together.
3 comments:
Ha ha ha... Cole looks pretty cool in his Raiders hat! Wait, that's not what I'm laughing at! I'm laughing at Cole wearing Talia's Tiara.
I'm glad you guys had a great Christmas.
I am glad things have only gotten better. Alec loves his spy gear.. he told me ALL about it! He's so fun..
Your brother is too sweet to Brenda. What a way to show the Christmas Spirit!
Post a Comment