As it does every year, Christmas came and went way too quickly. The Christmas season seemed especially brief for us this year, but it wasn't any less sweet. In fact, I think it was one of the happiest Christmases that I've had!
As is tradition, we spent Christmas Day with The Love Grandma and the rest of the May Family. First, however, we celebrated Christmas as a family of five with presents, play, and a special breakfast. The twins took some time to warm up to the idea of opening presents on Christmas morning; they were more interested in saying "Good Morning" to Bailey than they were in tearing the paper off of their gifts. They came around, though, when "they" (Jim and I) unwrapped the stuffed versions of their favorite Canadian friend, Caillou.
After the gifts had been opened and the last of our Rudolph pancakes had been eaten, we headed over the river and through the woods to the Love Grandma's house, where we were spoiled with good food, fun, and gifts!
We are so glad that we were able to come home for Christmas. There's nothing like living in another country to make you feel grateful for all that you have at home!
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| Times, they have changed: Bailey received nothing but treats (Puppy Kruidnoten!) for Christmas this year. In years past, Santa has brought him multiple presents and even CAKE! |
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| Jim created these delicious and adorable masterpieces before the twins woke up! |
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| Santa brought the twins four gifts - something to wear, something to read, something they want(ed), and something they need(ed). Maddie tried on her "something she needed" right away! |
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| Do you see that blur in the background? That's Will. Running wild, too excited to slow and/or sit down to open presents... |
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| Until, that is, Caillou was revealed. |
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| Look at that smile! Santa hit a home run! |
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| Daddy hurries to take Caillou out of the box while Will anxiously waits to hug his new toy. |
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| Santa brought the twins their favorite library books from the year. Maddie received Mighty Maddie by Stuart J. Murphy, and Will received Oops! by David Shannon. Here, Maddie reads her new book. |
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| I made Maddie and Will their own personalized alphabet books. The twins both enjoy reading and looking at them! |
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| Will checks out his new book. |
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| Maddie went back and forth between her two new books. |
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| Meanwhile, Will clowned around... |
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| and around... |
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| and around some more! |
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| Jim and I wrote new rules for our traditional gift card exchange. Players were encouraged to make ornaments, create snowflakes, wear Santa hats, and sing songs to earn points that could be used to their advantage in the exchange. |
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| Kristen, Elaine, and Kayleigh diligently work on creating paper snowflakes to hang in The Love Grandma's window. |
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| Even Jim played along! |
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| We filled Grandma Joan's window with beautiful snowflakes! |
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| Angel Bob topped our Christmas tree of home made ornaments. |
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| Maddie and her daddy |
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| Connor was the first to open his gifts while the little(r) ones were napping. |
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| Daddy helped Will to open his presents. |
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| Maddie disappeared to the family room while the festivities continued in the living room. |
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| Grandma Joan and Uncle Bob |
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| Steve and Uncle Bob |
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| Maddie loved...and still loves her new flash cards! |
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| Jim is going to take up photography in the new year; he requested a new camera for Christmas and got just the one he wanted! |
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| Papa and Emma |
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| Winding down with Curious George |
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