Christmas, Stressful, Lovely Christmas

I tend to freak out before Christmas, as with many businesses mine dies at Christmas time.  It always gives me the sensation that the bottom is coming out from underneath me.  I also, try to get super crafty at Christmas, (like the day before) and buy crafty things to do that I actually don't know how to do (certainly not well).  And I just generally stress myself out to the point of giving up.  The only thing that I can make people is photo books or frame photos that I've taken throughtout the year. It is my one obsession.  That's where my own personal Martha Stewart comes into play.  When I am freaking out about making everyone a handmade, from the heart perfect present, my mom comes in and gets the job done!  Decorations. Check.  Dinner for everyone.  Check.  Presents from Santa. Check.  Wrapping Paper.  Check.  Ginger Bread House.  Check.  She keeps all the holiday traditions alive...  Whew!  We were joking this year that when she's too old to put all that together she's going to be instructing me from the couch and I have to say, I will probably be a major let down. 

I used to hate the differences between me and my mother but now I totally embrace them.  Its great that I come to enjoy her beautiful house and traditions without having a lot of need to do it in my own house.  The more people she has to share her gifts with the better.  I don't like doing it and I don't have to. Yay!  Also, it so fun doing Santa with the boys at her house.  The boys get super excited to be there and we have 4 Santa's.  It is Awesome.  I eat the cookies, Mom wraps the presents, Dad makes noise like he's on the rooftop and Keith makes sure they are staying in their room...Mom, says it's really fun doing all the Christmas stuff again.  Her and Dad spent quite a lot Christmas' alone while Keith and I went to Mexico and his sister's when we didn't have kids.  But the kids make us anchor down and focus on being together.  I think these are going to be some of mine and my kid's favorite memories.

Christmas Day, Dad makes a super big breakfast, biscuits and gravy, eggs, and sausage from his friends farm, and we loaf....  Keith and I usually go to a movie and have a little date while the boys stay-in and play with all their new toys...  So we say good-bye to another Christmas and look forward to another in 361 days!

Thomas Family Traditions:

Oatmeal Scotchie Cookies
Ginger Bread House Decorating
Scavenger Hunt for the older kids
A Christmas Story plays in the background
Christmas Eve Dinner
Christmas Morning BIG breakfast


Highlights this year,  Palmer read "The night before christmas" to the boys.
And Kali helped the boys put out reindeer food on the deck..
Santa made the boys loft beds.  A big hit when we came home Christmas night!
Christmas round 2 at our house with my in-laws...

Hudson, Deacon, Kali, Eli, Keith,Me, Mom, Dad, Palmer, David and Angie on Christmas Eve...

Matha Stewart's, I mean, Mom's Christmas tree.

Okay, did Santa come?

He did!

Even the dog is still tired

Christmas with Keith's family.  Puppet theatre from Mima

Christmas round 2:  Keith, Ben, Heather,Danielle, Ernie, Hudson, Eli, Kip and Me

Hudson enjoying his new bed!!!

Shooting robots and they get to be "enemies".

Christmas Night discovery of new bed...

Chocolate for Breakfast.  Yeah!