Christmas 2010

Wow - have we had a fun-filled couple of days! Christmas eve, we got things started with a trip to Pump It Up - a local inflatables party place. Syd and Tom had a blast sliding down the slides, maneuvering through the obstacle courses, and bouncing on the bouncers. We even met up with Syd's friends Chloe and Jacob - twins that are in Syd's class at school. This activity was meant to drain some of Syd's energy and ensure a good nap before heading to Jodi's house for the Bergeman family Christmas; however, all it did was drain her energy. After a non-nap, we headed to Jodi's for Christmas eve dinner and presents.

We had a yummy dinner at Jodi's, including Honey Baked ham, mashed potatoes, carrot cauliflower casserole, cheesy bacon green bean casserole pot pie, and fresh rolls. Dessert was double layer pumpkin cheesecake. I think the highlight of dinner, though, was our Christmas crackers. For those who don't know, Christmas crackers are wrapped cardboard tubes that look a little like an oversized Smarties candy. Everyone had one, and we all opened them at the same time. Each one opens with a little bang and a prize inside. Most of us got paper crowns, but there was also a mini harmonica and a yo yo. The paper crowns made for some fun pictures.

After dinner, we opened presents. To describe the opening of presents as a free-for-all would be an understatement. Things were crazy this year. At one point, I looked down to see Sydney opening one of Tom's presents. Wrapping paper was flying, and gifts were everywhere! Some gift highlights included a netbook computer for Sarah, diamond earrings for Grandma, and an electric toy guitar for Sydney.

We headed home to put the kids in bed around 7:30 pm. Before they hit the sack, we put out cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer. Sydney slept really well. We didn't hear a peep from her until 8:00 am. The first thing she said when I walked into her room was, "Santa was here???"

We headed downstairs, and she was so excited. She received exactly what she asked Santa for: a music box (a preschool version of an iPod). She also received blocks, a magnadoodle, and a ton of stocking stuffers (think slinkies, coloring books, little toys, candy, and even a pair of princess pajamas). Cole received a variety of baby toys and some blocks. He found baby spoons and binkies in his stocking.

After we opened presents, we headed over to my parents' house for the Drumheller family Christmas. Lorraine had had planned shoulder surgery on December 23, so she had been there recovering for the past couple days. We enjoyed breakfast casserole, coffee cake, and cinnamon rolls while opening presents. Some highlights included a Nook for mom, handmade sock monkies for Syd and Cole, and a new wallet preloaded with pictures of his grandchildren for Papa.

We headed home for nap time around 1:00 pm. Sydney finally took a nap, and we woke up refreshed and ready to go to Max Grandma and Big Papa's house for dinner. Grandma made a traditional turkey dinner, and we were whipped by the time dessert rolled around! The kids were at home in bed by 8:00 pm, and we were soon to follow.

Whew! That even sounds like a lot. Today, we're taking it easy as we wait on the snow to arrive. This particular storm has been difficult to pinpoint. We've had predictions from a dusting to 14 inches! I guess we'll have to wait and see. Merry Christmas!