Christmas 2015

Well, Christmas 2015 was our first as a family of four and it came and went in a whirlwind.  It was amazing in that Carter really understood what was going on and we were really able to explain the true meaning of Christmas to him.  He couldn't wait for Santa to come and asked if it was Christmas every day for a week leading up to it.  And, of course, sharing it with our sweet Landry Kate for the first time made it even more exciting!

We kicked off our celebrations on Friday, December 18th with Brent's family.  His mom and dad took us and his sisters and brother-in-law out for pizza and then we opened gifts at our house with them.  It was really nice having them at our house this year! 

The kids got into the groove of present opening in no time.  I was amazed at how well Landry did with it.  She wanted no help from her brother...it may have taken her a little extra time to get them open, but she got them open all by herself (very true to her independent personality!).  You would have never known this was her first rodeo!

This was one of the hit's for Carter man...his own weedeater and "gobbles".  He also loved that little semi hauler for his hot wheels and it really keeps him busy putting them on and taking them off so I love it too!  Landry Kate's big hit was a VTech Dancing Tower which both kiddos have been loving dancing and singing with.  They also loved playing with their Uncle Justin's new German Shepard puppy Kilo.

Obviously, my kids were over the picture-taking at this point but I wanted to get a picture of them with their grandparents that they love so much!  It was entirely too late to expect much else out of them.  Lesson learned, pictures should be taken first!

Then that Saturday night we had an extended-family gathering with the Wilson's.  That gathering started with a Mass in remembrance of our deceased family members and we sat very close to the front which is unusual for us when we take the kids.  Close to the end of Mass, Carter asked me where "big Jesus" went and I kept pointing out the crucifix up front.  Turns out, he was asking about the priest!  :)  At the party, Carter had a really good time playing with his cousins, but poor Landry Kate wasn't allowed to get down on the dirty hard floors, so she got a little irritated!  

Then on Sunday we had a Christmas brunch with my mom, stepdad and little sisters.  We usually open gifts with them on Christmas morning, but we decided to move it out a little bit so we had more time to hang out and not be rushing.  My step-dad took the pictures, so I don't have any to share, but hopefully I can get some from him and update later!  

They got Carter a pair of "work boots" and he was so excited!  They are John Deere and camo up the leg part, plus they match Daddy (kind of!), so they were right up his alley.  He also got a fun little train set.  And Landry Kate got her first pair of Nike's! :)

Then we were back to work and the babysitter's for a few days.  After work on Wednesday, we went over to my Aunt & Uncle's house to celebrate my cousin's birthday.  Since we couldn't all be together at one time during the Christmas festivities and it was going to be my step-grandparent's 50th wedding anniversary on Christmas Eve, we got a family picture.  This group is truly made up of some of the greatest people I know...we are so thankful for them all!

That brings me to Christmas Eve.  Brent and I both had the day off and we spent it mostly just hanging out around the house. The weather was gorgeous out, so warm it was almost surreal, so Brent and Carter were outside a lot of the day.  Then while sister got her a good nap, Carter and I put together our gingerbread house I mentioned in my other post. 

Then it was a rush of getting everyone dressed and ready, presents packed up for the festivities, and a diaper bag packed for a full rest of the day.  We went by my step-grandparent's house for a bit to let the kids open the gifts they had gotten there since they do their gathering that night as well and we just couldn't fit it all in.  Then, it was off to Brent's grandparent's house for dinner and games and presents.

The kids had a ton of fun there since there are several cousins to play with.  Landry was our little baby model while Carter enjoyed entertaining everyone...

We then rushed off to make it to "midnight" Mass (which actually starts at 10PM) because my step-grandparents were renewing their vows for their 50th wedding anniversary.  The kids somehow made it through without too incredibly much trouble considering it being so late and us already having done so much that day.  Landry kept going back and forth between us.  And Carter somehow bumped his head on the pew right as the vows were starting and had to be taken out (by Brent) so his crying wouldn't interrupt them.  But, overall, not too bad, I guess!  Then we got home as quickly as possible and got the kids in their Christmas jammies and to bed.  
The kids woke a little after 8 the next morning (a Christmas miracle!) and we hurried to get the video camera ready to capture the reaction.  

I'm about 95% certain that Carter knew exactly what was under the sheet the second he saw the bottom of the wheel.  He was so excited!  

I was actually really surprised by how much Landry Kate liked it as well.  She wasn't afraid to hop right up there and play too!  I was actually really thankful, as Santa didn't really bring anything especially for her (besides the fact that this little Razor was picked because it has seat belts to allow her to be able to ride with her brother!).  I have a feeling she is going to get plenty of use out of this thing as well.

I was also very surprised at how long it took the kids to dig into their stockings.  They finally opened them once I got them going.  They each got two books and a new toothbrush, Carter got a plow for his tractors and some chocolate, and Landry got some keys and her favorite little yogurt melts.  We tried to go very small besides the big gift this year because by the time we go to all of our family gatherings PLUS have both kids' birthdays not far from Christmas, they don't need much else, let alone have room for much else!
We had some visitors stop by and check out Santa's loot...my dad and stepmom, my mom and stepdad, sisters, grandma and aunt and uncle.  Carter loved showing off his Razor!!

Thankfully, the weather was still pretty decent, although much cooler than the day before, so we took the Razor out and let Carter take it for a spin.  You should have seen Landry Kate light up when he took off!

If he ever stopped, she would cry until he got going again!  It was quite possibly the cutest thing they have ever done together.  Carter was so proud to be driving her around and she was thrilled to be along for the ride!  I have a feeling they are going to drive the wheels off of this one this summer like they almost have the hand-me-down Gator we were given.

Then we got everyone ready again and headed off to Brent's Granny Mac's house for her Christmas lunch and gathering.  The kids enjoyed playing with their cousin Gracie and, of course, opening some more presents!

They were extremely worn out after that (as were we!), so we headed home for naps.  We all slept pretty hard until it was time to go to my Dad's house for Christmas with him and Ann.  Carter was immediately drawn to the Rudolph they had gotten for Landry.

We have a tradition of eating chicken wings and fries at Dad's for Christmas and we didn't let this year break that tradition!  It was so good!

Then we opened presents and played hard as long as the kids could last. 

I can't believe how well they were doing with having their pictures made!  Maybe I should have taken the hint and gotten a family picture in while they were doing so good?!?

The decorating beads in the next picture have probably been one of Carter's favorite "gifts" this Christmas!  He played with them so much at his Grandpa Fred's that he sent us home with them.  He uses them to tow trucks with around the house!!

We went home and did baths and bedtime.  We spent the rest of the weekend at my Grandma Wanda's house, eating, playing games, and opening gifts.  

It really was a great Christmas for our family and I am starting to get the feeling they are just going to keep on getting better!