Christmas Eve:
Our day starts off at my aunt and uncle's house for some yummy homemade spaghetti and meatballs, a wonderful Italian meal! Then, the boys (including Kyan) go off to golf a round, while the ladies clean up, get desert ready, and watch the children play! When the boys come back it is round 1 of presents.
Off to home for another round of presents and to celebrate Christmas with everyone (and by everyone, I mean grandma and grandpa, Erin, Ava, and Brayden). But before everyone gets there , Kyan and I make a path of reindeer food (oats and glitter) outside leading up to the door, so that Santa's reindeer know exactly where to leave our presents!
Then it is time to get our jammies on and open PRESENTS! I don't know what came over me this year, but I seemed to have bought all toys for my kids this year (and if you know me, you know I am anti-toy gift giver) but I couldn't help myself!
Kyan and Lola got Zhu Zhu pets as their big present together! That seemed to be the hit present of the evening! They loved them!
Midnight:
Chad and I exchange our gifts. Midnight is our tradition because it was the only happy medium we could come up with that blended both of our families traditions together. You see, I celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve with my family and we always opened our presents then, while his opened presents Christmas morning after Santa. We both like our own tradition and didn't want to give it up, so this is how each of us wins! Sometimes I have to set the alarm to go off at midnight, I am not going to lie, but I don't want to miss it! This year, we decided that we weren't going to give each other presents, as our backyard is going to be a present in itself! Chad surprised me at midnight (we were still up, after putting together a kitchen set) with my very own Kindle! I love it! I felt bad that I didn't have anything quite as amazing, but gave him his new movie,
Inglorious Bastards.
Christmas:
*I was the first one up and of course Santa still comes to visit the Roseland house, each of us as a matter of fact! I rushed downstairs and found the present he left me...could it be...no...the box is too small...well, umm...maybe...sort of...YES! My very first pair of UGGS, well, a picture of them anyway! Santa finally thought I was a good enough girl to have them, as I have been asking for them FOREVER! They are on their way, apparently the pair I wanted was hard to find and even Santa had a hard time~eventually having to bid on ebay for them! Santa really does love me!
*Santa left Chad a clean front entrance room and a funny note that says that I am not allowed to help him decorate or put my two cents in unless he asks for it! Going to be tough for me I already know, but I will keep my mouth shut, I promise! He also left him a new pair of classic Vans!
*For Kyan, a pet dinosaur - Monty Rex. He is so cute! (For some reason, not a lot of pictures of Kyan this Christmas season, he was too busy playing!)
*For Lola, her very own kitchen! She is in love!
I met my parents for church and then we came back to the house where my dad made us breakfast! He makes the world's best eggs! It is such a nice treat when he cooks! After breakfast, Aunt Lori, Danielle, Troy, Grandma Roseland, Aunt Heidi and Hannah all joined us for breakfast #2 at our house! We had a small gift exchange and showed everyone the house and plans for the backyard!
Later that evening, after nap times were had, we headed to my sister-in-laws for a yummy Christmas dinner and gift exchange with Chad's side of the family! It was really fun to see the kids tear into their presents this year!
We are truly blessed to be able to share the holidays with our loved ones and we wouldn't want it any other way. We were very fortunate to be with almost everyone this year, but two very special people were in our hearts, and if we could have had them here, we would have. Because that was impossible we just thought lots about them. Brion, we love and miss you and know that you are our angel watching over us. Joel, you are so brave, we love you and can't wait to see you in March.
We hope each of your families had the merriest of Christmas' and will have the happiest New Year in 2010!
I was holding the camera at a weird angle -
Jayla was NOT a fan of Monty Rex - Kyan's pet dinosaur that Santa delivered! He is actually really cute, but she was so afraid and shaking in mommies arms.
Snack time! Enjoying apples together.
Getting down with the Gabba band! They were shakin' their booties, it was so cute!
Pausing to cheese it up for the camera in between their dancey-dance moves!
They also made a HUGE mess in the kitchen! Good thing this food is easy to clean!
