Christmas Eve and Day
Christmas eve was finally upon us. The afternoon was spent at my mom's house, and then we were going to head over to Jim's mom's house for dinner. We started the festivities with something we like to call "Reindeer Games." We played a few minute-to-win it games.
IMG 9650 from Heidi Ziegler Pojda on Vimeo.
The last game was probably the most fun where you had to blow up a bunch of balloons, then stuff them into some pantyhose, and finally put them on as reindeer antlers.
After gifts it was time for a quick bite to eat before we headed to Jim's mom's house. Then we headed over there where we had more food, some singing, a dance party, and more gift giving. I was a wonderful night.
Dance Party from Heidi Ziegler Pojda on Vimeo.
Once we got home we sat down and read the Christmas story from the scriptures. Since our kids are young I thought it would be good to also show a video. There are a bunch of great ones you can find online, I used the one with scenes from the Natvity mixed with the song Breath of Heaven. Then is was time to send everyone off to bed. Lilliana however did not fall asleep until around 11pm. So we waited….While we waited I made quiche and cinnamon rolls for breakfast the next morning. When she was finally asleep it was time to get to work. We got all the presents out and arranged (I had not put ANY gifts under the tree until that night). I also had to build Camille's bike, the baby highchair and cradle for Allison. I finally finished around 2am. I was sure hoping the kids would sleep in...
Santa also wraps the hallway door for a fun run through Christmas morning.
I think the kids managed to get us out of bed around 7:30. I don't have an after picture, but it was a great Christmas! Allison got a baby cradle and high chair. Camille got her unicorn and a balance bike. Mark received a motorized lego cargo train and train station. Lilliana got a kindle fire. On a side note, if anyone is trying to decide between a kindle and an ipad I recommend the kindle for kids. It has some great built in features for kids that allow you to set limits to the amount of time they can play apps, watch videos, and read. Also the time of day they are allowed to use it. You can also pick and choose what they have access too. I was surprised Apple hasn't set-up these kinds of controls for the ipad… A little bit later that morning my family came over for breakfast. After breakfast we had our annual silly string fight in the backyard. We were worried Allison and Camille wouldn't like it, but they totally got into it.
Later that day we went to Jim's grandmother's house for a delicious meal. It was really nice to spend so much time with our family this Christmas. As complicated as it can be to try and split our time with the different families I really am glad we all live fairly close to one another.
Merry Christmas from Heidi Ziegler Pojda on Vimeo.
The last game was probably the most fun where you had to blow up a bunch of balloons, then stuff them into some pantyhose, and finally put them on as reindeer antlers.
Next it was time for the white elephant gift exchange. We had $15 to spend and there is an award for the best gift. Some of the gifts included lotto scratchers, a winter kitty hat complete with a moving tail, itunes gift card, a duckie extraveganza (20 different plastic ducks, a duck bath loofa, duck hat, duck caller), redneck outhouse guy, the booty glider exerciser, rocket alarm clock, brain exerciser puzzle thing, and an ipod speaker that turns any container into a speaker. The winner of the gift exchange won this
Eric's job is to embellish this lovely Christmas sweater further and then wrap it up for next year…
Now it was the kids turn to open their presents. Camille got all kinds of fun princess stuff. Lilliana and Mark got marshmellow guns, among other things, and Allison got some wooden food that you can cut and a little shopping cart. They love them all!
Dance Party from Heidi Ziegler Pojda on Vimeo.
Once we got home we sat down and read the Christmas story from the scriptures. Since our kids are young I thought it would be good to also show a video. There are a bunch of great ones you can find online, I used the one with scenes from the Natvity mixed with the song Breath of Heaven. Then is was time to send everyone off to bed. Lilliana however did not fall asleep until around 11pm. So we waited….While we waited I made quiche and cinnamon rolls for breakfast the next morning. When she was finally asleep it was time to get to work. We got all the presents out and arranged (I had not put ANY gifts under the tree until that night). I also had to build Camille's bike, the baby highchair and cradle for Allison. I finally finished around 2am. I was sure hoping the kids would sleep in...
Santa also wraps the hallway door for a fun run through Christmas morning.
I think the kids managed to get us out of bed around 7:30. I don't have an after picture, but it was a great Christmas! Allison got a baby cradle and high chair. Camille got her unicorn and a balance bike. Mark received a motorized lego cargo train and train station. Lilliana got a kindle fire. On a side note, if anyone is trying to decide between a kindle and an ipad I recommend the kindle for kids. It has some great built in features for kids that allow you to set limits to the amount of time they can play apps, watch videos, and read. Also the time of day they are allowed to use it. You can also pick and choose what they have access too. I was surprised Apple hasn't set-up these kinds of controls for the ipad… A little bit later that morning my family came over for breakfast. After breakfast we had our annual silly string fight in the backyard. We were worried Allison and Camille wouldn't like it, but they totally got into it.
Later that day we went to Jim's grandmother's house for a delicious meal. It was really nice to spend so much time with our family this Christmas. As complicated as it can be to try and split our time with the different families I really am glad we all live fairly close to one another.
Your tree and living room set up after Santa's visit is so pretty. And I love the picture of you and Allison - your high bun is really cute. And the reindeer games and ugly sweater that gets passed around are funny traditions that I have never heard of before but I sort of love them.
ReplyDeleteI loved catching up on your Holiday Happenings, Heidi! And your two youngest girls in their Christmas dresses are just TOO DARLING!!!!! Happy New Year to you and your family!
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