Christmas 2012- That's a Wrap!

Time for the ol' Christmas WRAP-up!  (See what I did there?)

For me, the Christmas season is always this weird dance between sentiment and stress.  After all, creating memories for my children usually involves some pretty hefty planning on my part.  I'm happy to do it, but I recognize my limits.  In anticipation of this, I completed all of my Christmas shopping prior to Thanksgiving.  It might seem over-ambitious, but it left room for me to enjoy my kids in the midst of the holiday chaos.  With Kendall's birthday (and now Carter's, also) falling between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I have enough to keep me busy WITHOUT the added burden of wackos at the mall.  It works for me.

Here is a little sampler of what we enjoyed as Christmas drew near....
I FINALLY got around to this Pinterest project that I've been excited about completing.  Glad we did it this year, because these little hands aren't getting any smaller...

 

 We put together our Christmas tree and stopped to bask in the new living room ambiance.  My attempt to take an adorable picture of my children in front of the tree was, well...unsuccessful.

 Kendall finally made peace with Rudolph after watching the classic Rudolph movie on television.  "He's not scary!  He's nice!" thankfully, has been her mantra the better half of December.

 We took our kids for the first time to the Rheault Farm Santa Village, where Kendall was able to write a note to Santa (someone explain to me the logic of writing a note and mailing it to the NP when you'll meet Santa in five minutes...but whatever), decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus, and meet the jolly man himself!  Kendall was not at all apprehensive...plopped right up on his lap, asked for a "pink dolly" and was elated that she received a sucker at the end!

 

 (Above:  Kendall proudly displays her sucker, while Carter plans to swoop in for the kill...)

 Kendall also watched the classic version of "Cinderella" for the first time, ushering in the era of the princess :)

 Chris, Jamie and Donna enjoyed a Christmas concert featuring Kutlass at our church.

 Kendall, Mommy and Grandma did lots of baking this holiday season, and Kendall was an eager hostess :)

 We began Christmas Eve festivities with a candlelight service at Bethel.  It's kind of terrifying having a toddler with an open flame! After safely extinguishing our candles, we made our way over to the Stavenger home to celebrate Christmas with Chris' family. 

Christmas morning was spent at our home- a mellow, jammies-all-day kind of celebration (arguably the best kind!).  Kendall is at an age where she is pure entertainment when opening and enjoying gifts.  She is so expressive!  Oh, the magic of Christmas to a child!  Speaking of Christmas magic, Santa brought Kendall her very own tricycle...which she has yet to master but is totally excited to learn!  She also received a toy hair salon kit and opened her own "salon"...Mommy, Grandma AND Daddy were all willing customers.  Carter...not so much.

 And, as much fun as it was to watch Kendall open her gifts, it was equally as fun to watch Carter experiment with his newly discovered walking ability!  Toddle toddle toddle BOOM!  He is quite adventurous, needs no prompting, just takes off across the room!  We have, consequently, invested in some new gates. :) 

In the midst of all of that craziness, both kids had birthdays and parties...but I'll have to save that report for another post.  My fingers are bleeding... ;-)

We hope your Christmas was jolly!