For "Part 2" of Christmas, we loaded up the car and headed to Stillwater to spend time with Holbrooks! We actually left a day early, not knowing what the great blizzard of 2009 had in store for us. As it turned out, most of the precipitation ended up as rain between our house and my parents' house, but we were still glad not to drive in it!
Logan playing with a train set under a small Christmas tree at Papa and Nana's.
On Christmas Eve, we went to church at Five Oaks with Amy & Andrew and then spend a quiet evening with my parents. Logan got to set out special cookies and milk for Santa and even some carrots for Rudolph. Christmas really was magical this year, with the suspense of waiting for Santa and presents under the tree. As the kids grow older, I hope to incorporate more meaning and traditions around such special days.
Our family - Christmas Eve 2009!
I was a little obsessed because the boys wore these cute outfits to Amy's wedding and I was never able to get a photo of them together! So, I had to get one on Christmas Eve!
Christmas morning was so exciting! Logan woke up early (he always does at Papa and Nana's house!) and we crept upstairs to see if Santa ate his cookies. Sure enough, he had eaten cookies, given the carrot to Rudolph and left a cool present for Logan. What fun! We were soon joined by the rest of the family for breakfast and gift opening. It was fun to see Amy, Andrew, Kyle and Ali...we had a big group, which resulted in a marathon gift opening - 2 full hours!
Christmas morning!
Let the gift opening begin!
Bennett's first Christmas...love that wrapping paper!
What a fun toy from Auntie Ali and Uncle Kyle!
Thumbs up, hockey fans! Daddy and Logan's matching MN Wild shirts from Amy and Andrew!
Who knew cleaning was so entertaining?!
Bennett enjoying some paper...
And some time with Papa...
But it got to be a little too much for Bennett, who just fell asleep sitting up on Papa's lap amidst all the commotion! We thought this was so funny!
But Logan just kept opening gifts (his own and other peoples', too), and passing gifts out, and playing with his new stuff. He could have gone on and on!
Taking a break to play cars...
We had such a great Christmas, spending the day being lazy with such great company! After a traditional raclette meal, everyone was full and tired, so it was time for a good rest. The kids were tired too! John and I even got to go see a movie with A & A on Christmas night while Papa and Nana babysat with boys. It was so fun!
During our stay, we got some time to spend outside, despite lots of rain and then really cold temps. There was some really pretty snow on Christmas Eve and Christmas day, but the rain that followed really left the roads and snow a mess. Luckily, when it warmed up a little, Daddy and Papa took Logan out for some fun!
All bundled up and ready to go!
Shoveling
Playing....golf?! Why not?!
Snowman!
Sledding
And swinging!
After the girls went out for some post-Christmas sale shopping, we decided to all take an outing into Minneapolis for the Christmas display at Macy's. Papa and Nana took Logan last year, but we haven't been for a while. The display was "A Day In The Life Of An Elf" again this year, so we knew it would be fun to see! Amy and Andrew came along and we were lucky to walk right in to the exhibit - no lines! We went through twice because Logan loved it so much!
Checking it out with Daddy. Logan was totally in awe of the detailed display...
A few favorites...
Benny was there, too...but he will not remember! Too sleepy!
We all enjoyed pizza at our favorite pizzeria: Punch in St. Paul on the way home and then got some good playtime in before bedtime...
Being silly with Amy!
Puzzle time!
Okay...that was part 2...part 3 (yes, part 3) still to come. As if anyone cares anymore, right?! Its almost February! Haha!
