Christmas 2013

Merry (belated) Christmas! Is it really over already?! We had such a wonderful time being back in Ferdinand for the holidays....I think I could have used 1 more day....

We started our trek on Saturday, December 21 and left our house at 6:30am on the dot. Olivia did really well on the trip and for that, we are very thankful. She watched a lot of movies and Duane and I listened to an audio book for the entire 10-11 hour drive. We took a short detour and stayed in Bloomington with Alex and GG. Their house was all decked out for Christmas and we loved their wood floors. We had salad, homemade pizza and some of GG's sugar cookies. We called it an early night and went to bed shortly after Olivia did. Liv's internal alarm clock had us all awake promptly at 7am EST and we all got out of bed for breakfast. GG had the fantastic idea to do a couple Pinterest crafts with Liv and give them to Grandma and Papa for Christmas. Olivia stayed interested long enough to create the handprints and then Alex and I finished the projects. While I'm very thankful that GG had this great idea, I'm now very concerned about their future kids and the crafts (more like pieces of furniture) they'll create....

 

Ornament craft with Liv's handprint; each finger became a snowman!

Reindeer craft

making reindeer food (oats and sprinkles!)

After enjoying Alex's omelet creations, we all packed up and headed down to Ferdinand. Olivia was so excited to see her Grandma and Papa and quickly took over their house by getting out toys and telling Grandma to play with her. Duane and my dad wasted no time and got to work on the fence within the hour of our arrival. I unpacked our bags and tried to get ourselves organized for the week. We had Homestead pizza for dinner and after GG and Alex arrived, we celebrated our December birthdays with a DQ ice cream cake.

 

 

 

Everyone had Monday off work so it was a great (but busy) day! Duane and my dad were busy with the fence and Alex helped them until he went for a bike ride. Olivia bossed around my mom and then took a few minutes to help bake cookies. I helped with the cookies, wrapped gifts and just enjoyed being home. After a quick dinner, Duane, Alex, GG and myself met in Jasper for a movie - we won't turn down a free babysitter!

after rolling each dough ball in the cinnamon and sugar, she would lick her fingers...I warned everyone to stay away from her snickerdoodles!

playing with my mom's old piano (sorry but I can't get this to rotate?!)

 Waking up on Tuesday morning, it was too hard to believe it was Christmas Eve?! We had a delicious lunch with my mom's side of the family and then opened up presents. I'm not sure how Jan planned this so well but she and Kenny gave Olivia her own piano and she just loves it! After presents, Olivia took a nap and the rest of the family headed out to other parties. Duane, Liv and I still had another party to head to but before that, we took a much needed walk outside and around the Convent. Liv burned off some energy and we even took her inside the convent so she could see the church. After Duane's grandma's party, he prepped Liv for bed and the rest of us went to midnight mass. We didn't' stay up too late because we knew Liv would have us up early!

At long last, Christmas morning had arrived....and Liv couldn't have been more blasé about it! Duane and I were so glad that Santa was frugal this year.... After she opened Santa's gifts and maybe one or two more, she asked if she could be done and "watch a little bitta TV?" I'm pretty sure I just sat there and stared at her after she said that....clearly, she isn't into the whole present thing yet. (I think that's a good thing, right?!) We all received wonderful gifts and are very thankful for all of them! Here are a few of the photos I captured before Liv pooped out....

checking to make sure the reindeer ate their food! Their water froze, though!

Santa brought a Rapunzel doll

....he also brought The Little Mermaid

a kitty cat sleeping bag from Grandma & Papa

putting Rapunzel to bed

We had a really yummy breakfast of mimosas, eggs, grits, ham, toast and cinnamon rolls. Then - the chaos of cleaning started! When I learned that the Potter side wasn't getting together, my mom decided to put together an impromptu party. In the early evening, people stopped in and it was so great to catch up with everyone and for them to see Olivia. She was in an excellent mood and loved having another party. In fact, after the last group was leaving, she came up to me with a pouty face and said, "I want the party to start." Or, maybe it was because Giesla's brother, Dustin, had just left....she was quite smitten with him! When I said he was leaving, she demanded that he come back in the house to give her a hug and kiss. After that was done, she hid behind my mom and flirtatiously waved good-bye to him! (I'm sorry there are no pictures from this party - I'm kicking myself right now for not taking any.)

Thursday morning was quiet but we did manage to walk over to the bank and cash Olivia's check from "Mommy's grandpa." She also came out of the bank with a sucker and was quite proud of that. Later that evening, we headed to Duane's parent's house for another Christmas party. We had great roast beef, mashed potatoes, rolls and green beans, fruit salad and cookies - then it was time for presents! There was a definite difference in the gifts Liv received and those Jack received - doll clothes, Rapunzel's tower and princesses for Liv and dinosaurs and dragons for Jack!

Liv's thinking, "I don't get it...where's the pink and crown?"

Friday was a very quiet day so Duane and I slipped away for lunch and another movie. Olivia had a great time with Grandma and we were so thankful to have another chance for a movie. As the day came to an end, we packed up the truck and got ready for a day on the road. Saturday morning was sad but it was time for us to head back to MN. Our drive went very well and we made really good time. We were home by 7:30pm and in no time, the truck was unpacked and we were all getting ready for bed.

It was so nice having Sunday to get back into our routine and do some grocery shopping. I had Monday, December 30 (my birthday), off from work and took a day to myself! I slept in, watched some TV and then headed to the mall. We had dinner at home and topped it off with black bean brownies and peppermint ice cream. It was a great birthday!

I really cannot believe, nor does it feel like it, but today is New Year's Eve! Duane is working and Liv is at school but it'll be an early day for all of us. We are going to pick up Liv from school around 4pm and then head to a movie theater to see Disney's Frozen! Duane and I are really excited and we hope it goes well and that she sits through the movie. I will have lots of snacks/treats packed in my purse to make sure that happens. Happy New Year!