Christmas 2009!

Merry Christmas! We had several days of celebrations and had some very low lows but also some very high highs. It was an emotional time!

We started on Christmas Eve. That afternoon we went to Uncle Martin and Julie's house to spend some holiday time with them. At their house we had appetizers and visited while Aurora and Alex played with their cousins Carter (a year older than Aurora) and Micah (same age as Alex). Both of our families are super busy and we only really get together around Christmas. I was surprised with how well the kids played together. We had a great time!

When we got home the kids put on their new Christmas pajamas and set out cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer. We then read "The Night Before Christmas" and they went to bed excited.

The plan for Christmas Day was for the kids to get up and do their Santa gifts, and then my family was going to come over around 7:30 to have breakfast and begin our celebration. However, early that morning my grandparents' 9 year old dog, Roxy, suffered a large seizure and was rushed to the emergency vet. It turned out she had a brain tumor and they had to put her sleep, on Christmas morning. It was devastating. I have not even told Aurora yet. She has a stuffed 'Roxy Dog" that she sleeps with every night, and it is going to be hard on her. Roxy will be greatly missed.

Aurora came in our room around 6:15, ready to see what Santa brought her. We got Alex up and let the kids loose! They got lots of good stuff - Aurora got the play-doh and Benadaroos she asked for, they both got an Imaginext space shuttle, and a train table, among other things. Alex was SO excited about the train table! He ran up to it, looked it over, and then raised his eyes to the ceiling and said, "Thank you Santa!" It was cute!

We all got cleaned up and let the kids play with their toys from Santa while we waited to see what my family was going to do. They decided to go ahead and come over, after getting themselves cleaned up and emotionally stable. I think it was a great decision - it is hard to be sad with two excited little children running around! We had a great time opening presents and being with each other. My Mom and Grandma and I made pomegranate martinis with my new martini set and enjoyed it with my Grandma's brie bread bowl! We also played games with the kids and checked out everyone's stuff.

Unfortunately, after nap, Alex woke up with a fever and feeling miserable, just like he did on Thanksgiving! Aurora asked me if he was "allergic to holidays!" He laid around with Grandma and didn't eat much of Christmas dinner. His fever finally came down after dinner and he was able to enjoy himself a little more. Everyone left after dinner but overall it was a wonderful day.

Sunday we celebrated with Josh's family. Alex still was not feeling great but he didn't have a fever. We headed over in the morning and made them breakfast. Then we opened presents and watched movies and enjoyed each others' company. We finished with a huge dinner. It was another great day.

The kids received lots of gifts and lots of love this weekend; it was a wonderful season!