[Christmas Eve]
It started early in the morning, I walked past Jack's room to head downstairs for my coffee when I herd him say " mom...it's christmas eve morning " yup. He had caught on. This year Jack's excitement was in full swing and the kiddo was on overdrive all morning long, just longing for the day to pass so that we could get on with christmas. Around 2 we headed over to Jon's parents house and met his siblings, parents and grandparents for a prechristmas eve service dinner. We dinned on the lyons family traditional pizza and oyster stew and then we put the kids in their "handsome clothes" attempted a family picture and then it was off to the christmas eve service.
After the Christmas Eve service we gathered at my parents house with my siblings, jon's parents, and few old family friends for soup. One of my most favorite memories of growing up was that on Christmas Eve my parents would make lots of soup and invite lots of families from church over. Late into the night on Christmas Eve our little house would be packed with people. I loved it. It was good to be back at my parents house, enjoy some some and be with old friends.
Around 8:30 we headed home to put our kids in their christmas jammies and to set out cookies for Santa. Jack was totally into it. He wanted to leave Santa two cookies, a roll and an orange. We also had to set out apple juice because we were out of milk. But don't worry Jack left a note for Santa explaining the situation. After the kiddos were in bed Jon and I set to work bringing gifts out of hiding and preparing the living room. Then it was off to bed, we knew morning would be fast upon us.[Christmas Day]
Okay, I admit, I was the first one awake. What can I say I love Christmas. The boys awoke shortly after and thus the day began. Photo infront of he tree then let's dive in. Jack was totally into it. All the gifts, his stocking, loving each and everything he got. Max was also into it. He loved his stocking, but struggled a bit when it was Jack's turn to open gifts. Max loves a present and could have unwrapped all day. Here are some bad photots of some of the well loved loot.
an autographed seattle sounders soccer ball
the new hasselbeck jersey and playing legos. classic jack christmas.
oogly googly machine from grandma shriley
a new bakugan of max's very own
awesome truck trailer and trucks from grandma shriley
After our family time at home we headed to my parents house for Christmas Breakfast and Gifts. As always my mom prepared a delicous spread. Then it was on to gifts. The boys were thrilled with theirs : Jack, Nerf Dart Tag and Max, a new radio flyer trike. Jon and I certainly appreciated all the fun stocking stuffers and Way to go Kendra and Travis. They had our names for the gift and gave us a great Italian cookbook and a tour book of Italy...perfect for us as we have begun planning and saving for a hiking tour of Italy with friends in September 2011.
After breakfast,gifts and some playing with the cousins it was off to the Lyons for more christmas. When we arrived Max was a sleep so we put him in bed, let Maddison and Jack open gifts and the adults then did the long awaited much anticipated Stocking exchange. This year I scored as Jeff, the patriarch of stockings drew my name and gifted to me. I recieved the most enormous stocking ever...filled with all kinds of great stuff including some excellent wine tools and books and I continue to persue my love of good wine. Jack loved the new lego set that Nan and Pop go him as well, he is the envy of all his little friends. After gifts we set out to devour the finger foods that everyone had brought. Tasty as always. Then we played some brain games and called it a night.
It was a good day. Made great by the fact that we get to be with both of our families. So there it is. All the Joy and Chaos that was the Lyons Christmas.