Christmas 2006

I would say that Christmas 2006 at our house was overall a huge success. Although Adam might disagree because he didn't get his fancy-schmancy pen for work and his pj pants are too long and his pj shirt has an itchy tag. ;) My parents came to our house Sunday around 11:30. We opened a few presents from them (more to come next weekend when hopefully my sister, bil, and niece will be back since they couldn't travel from Colorado last weekend) and had a relaxing lunch of chili and sandwiches together. Mom, Dad, Alyssa, and I met my cousins and their families at church at 3, then after that we picked up Adam and headed to my cousin Mark's house for his family's annual Christmas open house. Lots of good food and a fun time to connect with family (even though most of us live about 15 minutes apart we rarely see each other outside of Christmas Eve).

Christmas Day we were actually awoken by Lexi who was anxious to get the day started; isn't that the toddler's job?! Alyssa woke up soon after, so we took her downstairs to check out the kitchen and stocking goodies that Santa left. I made "monkey bread" for breakfast, which I think will become an annual tradition, and while that was cooking we opened the rest of our presents. Adam gets the prize for cleverest present this year ~ he bought me a gift certificate (with the assistance of his handy dandy Dwight helpers!) for a massage. Instead of just wrapping up the gift certificate, he actually duct taped two dumbells inside a box, then put the certificate on top. I was certain I was getting bricks for Christmas for weeks! :) Alyssa went down for a nap around 10:30, so Adam and I went back to bed to watch "A Christmas Story"/take naps ourselves. After everyone was up and dressed/showered we headed over to Adam's parents around 2. We sat around talking and snacking with the inlaws and Adam's older brother until his younger brother got home from work about 5:30, then we spent almost 2 hours opening GOBS of presents followed by a yummy dinner. We all made quite the haul; there was literally no room left in the car as we were leaving. I don't know what we're going to do next year when there is an extra car seat (no folding down the seats to make more room for loot) and an extra person to buy presents for.

Alyssa is having a great time with the kitchen "appliances" that her Grandma K got her. My favorite gifts that they got me were a new sewing machine, which I'm excited to break out (see comment about Adam's pj pants being too long; I think that's my first project) and a massaging shower head that I need to try out. I was so sad when we had to leave our other one behind at the old house, so maybe this will help the new house feel more like "home".

Pictures of our festivities to follow (maybe/hopefully)!