We had an amazing first Christmas with the girls this year. We had explained to our families that we really did not want to have to do more than one Christmas a day because it would just be too much and we wouldn't enjoy the time. Thankfully, it all worked out very well. Christmas started on the 20th (and that was my last post) with my mom's side of the family. Then on Christmas Eve we had planned to go to church, out to dinner and then over to my parent's house to play games with anyone who did not have somewhere they needed to be. Unfortunately, we didn't get to church because their naps were a little off that day, but when they woke up we headed to Tea Tree Bistro in Levis Commons for dinner with my parents, brother Zach, Aunt Susan, Kent and cousin Sami. My brother, Taylor, works there and he was out waiter. It was a very nice dinner and then we headed over to my parent's house. Uncle Dan, Aunt Lori and my cousins, Aaron and Bethany joined the party where we played "Would You Rather" and "Scattergories".
We were having so much fun that we didn't want to leave, so we put the girls to bed in the pack 'n plays that my mom has and we spent the night. Wes and I had to run home at like 1:30 in the morning to get our Christmas gifts and overnight stuff because this wasn't planned. I did feel a little funny about the girls not opening their presents at our house on Christmas morning, but we didn't even have a tree at home so it didn't feel much like Christmas there. It worked out well anyways because my parents could take pictures and we could help the girls open their gifts. Santa brought them photo albums in case they want to look at Mommy and Daddy when they go to the babysitter. They are plastic and can be sucked on. They also got pretty learning purses, blocks, rock-a-stack (the stacking ring toy that every baby has to have), different textured roll-arounds, interlocking beads, clothes, a jumperoo, a learning puppy, and an animal/alphabet wheel.
At 11:30 the Riedeman family and Taylor and Amanda got to my parent's house for brunch and more gift opening. *Opening presents with 4 young children is very long and drawn out and difficult. It was a bit hectic and so I don't have many pictures of my girls opening gifts. I have talked about the 3 gift idea that we had asked our parents to stick to before. We wanted the presents to represent the gifts the three wisemen brought so that the girls learn the meaning of Christmas and so that they don't get spoiled since they have so many people buying for them. We had said that money would be very much appreciated for their bank accounts if they wanted to spend more than they did on the 3 presents. My mom did a wonderful job with this. She even decided to do it for everyone instead of just the grandchildren. All 3 girls got a joint gift that will stay at Nana's house for them to play with. It was a Fisher Price learning house. The girls got their first baby doll, a sweat suit from Children's Place and the most adorable monogrammed zebra print onesie with a matching headband with a hot pink mariboo puff! They also got money to be put towards their convertible car seats. My sister and I also bought gifts for each others children. From the Riedemans they got a Leap Frog music table, a family zoo membership, a shirt, a rattle and a book. My brothers got the girls some hairbows from one of my favorite websites (Bows2Cute.com). Wes and I replaced our window in our living room this fall and it was our gift from all 3 sets of our parents so my mom wrapped up toy windows for us. Wes also got a belt and my parents paid for part of his gift from his mom (a telescope) so my mom wrapped a paper towel roll in foil to symbolize his gift. LOL I got a Tupperware chopper and some shirts, a bracelet and earrings. We then enjoyed a leisurely day of playing games and hanging out with family. My cousin, Brittany, and her husband, Troy, who are Mya's godparents stopped over to give the girls' their gift. Brittany crocheted them the cutest little hats and they also got some books! We had a delicious dinner and ended up staying the night again because we were playing games so late.
The next morning (the 26th) we woke up bright and early and got ready to head south to see Wes' family. We went to his mom's house in Celina. We had lunch and the girls opened their gifts from Grammy and Grampy. They got the Your Baby Can Read program (awesome!!), a jumperoo, some clothes, a hat and jacket, books and an adorable stuffed bunny that hangs on their door and has a pull string that plays music. They also got a super cute dress and tights from Aunt Kacie! We then got the girls into their party dresses and headed to Aunt Lisa's for the Bergman Christmas (Wes's mom's side). The girls had fun playing with all of their second cousins, Marlie, Layton and Alex. Next year we will have another baby to play with because Wes's cousin Ashley is expecting a baby March 1st. The girls got very spoiled here as well. They got tons of cute clothes, another cute purse and some fun toys. After the party we headed back to my in-laws to put the girls to bed and do the adult gifts. Wes was soooooo excited about his gift. He got a 5 foot tall telescope! He's all about astronomy and so this was a good gift for him, I just have no idea where this monstrosity is going to be in our house. I got a hooded North Face jacket, a Coach purse and a SNUGGIE!!!!!! Love my gifts! After the gifts we sat down to watch The Hangover but didn't get to see the whole thing because the girls had the worst night of their lives! We found out a few days later what the problem was but that night was definitely no fun!
The next day (the 27th) we headed to Fort Loramie to celebrate with Wes's dad, step-mom and sisters. We once again had a leisurely day, which was wonderful. We opened gifts, ate a delicious lunch and played games. Poor little Stella really did not feel well, as you'll see in the pictures, but she was a trooper. The girls got a bunch of awesome toys and clothes and it is kind of a blur to me so I can't remember what they got from Grandma and Grandpa and what was from Aunt Kayla and Aunt Morgan. So sorry! Also, since we didn't make it to the Rethman or Theis Christmases his grandparents came to see us. The girls got money from Great Grandma and Grandpa Rethman, which we are also putting towards their new car seats. From Great Grandma and Grandpa Theis they got homemade dolls, Sea horses that light up and play music like a Glo-Worm and a Melissa & Doug picnic basket fill-n-spill. Wes and I got money for our window. I got some much needed clothes and he got the Simpson's DVD and more money to buy what he wants since he had no ideas for them. We then played games and had fun for the rest of evening.
Whew! That was a long post! Christmas was fantastic and stress free (except for Stella's illness). Monday when we got home she had a temperature of 102 and so we took her to the doctor. It ended up that she had a double ear infection! Poor thing had a fever for a few days and a runny nose. She is currently on amoxicillan (which she HATES) and she is getting much better! I hope everyone had a happy and healthy holiday season!
After they went to bed I got to work on stocking my freezer with homemade baby food. Once I start work on Monday I'm pretty sure free time is going to be very limited. I made carrots, acorn and butternut squash and some rice cereal. Tomorrow I am going to make some ground turkey and some sweet potatoes. The girls are doing a great job with solids and I am really enjoying making their food.
