Christmas is coming...

There is no question we tried to do too much this Advent.  It came right on the heels of my conference in California and a crazy driving trip to Philadelphia and then Indianapolis for Thanksgiving (including the 18 drive home in one day) and right in the midst of David's launch and Mr. 1 walking (and climbing).  So many things sounded like fun and were fun but looking back we would probably try to do a little less, especially with our 1 year old.  Taking that into consideration, there were quite a few highlights.


A special date with Mr. 3 to see the Nutcracker



Reading books by the Christmas tree





Mr. 3's Christmas pageant - he was a shepherd



Making gingerbread houses with friends



A special piano recital




A Christmas party - complete with a rather successful white elephant gift exchange involving 14 kids and a 1920s style gambling den set up by Mr. 9 in the basement.  Only they were Mario karts and the bets were with legos (and missing the smoking and alcohol).


And continuing our Christmas Eve tradition of opening books before the Christmas Eve service.  Everyone loved their books, particularly Mr. 1 who received his very own book about himself.

There was also all our Advent activities (we made it through a much smaller number this year which was fine with me but a bit disappointing to the boys), St. Nicholas Day (especially helping the boys choose who to sponsor with their Kiva gift certificates), a wonderful Christmas concert at Highrock, a Christmas open house and ice skating.  Perhaps now it's time for our long winter's nap...