Even with my months of prep work December was still crazy. Right after finishing the festival tree I came home and decorated two more. Emily and Jacob were thrilled to have their own tree again and be able to decorate it themselves. I usually try to supervise the placement a little but with it being my third tree I really didn't have as much energy. Which was probably good since Jacob ended up redecorating it just about every day. For our anniversary Jeff gave me another set to my nativity. I just love it and it's always the last thing I take down every year. It took a little bit before I had all of my Christmas decorations up but we finally got it all. We also got all our shopping, wrapping, mailing, baking, and delivering done before Christmas too.
On the 16th we had the Snow family party. I ended up visiting all night and never pulled out the camera so there are no pictures to document. That night my mom gave everyone some of my Grandma Snow's paintings. This first one was always one of my favorites and I'm excited to find a frame and put up once we get a house. The second picture was done in my grandma's later years when she had Parkinsons. I love that she still tried to do what she enjoyed even though it was difficult. I think this was the only seascape she ever did.
Sunday the 18th was the Newman Party. We gathered at my uncle's clubhouse again and played lots of wallyball, had a delicious ham and turkey dinner, and sang Happy Birthday to all the December birthdays. It was my younger brother Matthew's birthday that day. He turned 19 and will be leaving for the Leeds, England mission March 1st.
We had our traditional pinata for all the kids. I grew up with this tradition and just love it. It made it all the way through all the great grandkids this year. Emily was able to do a bit of damage before handing it off to her older cousins (pictured below).
Emily & Jacob got to open their presents from Great Gma & Gpa Newman. Jacob got a saw to go with his tool set and Emily got Beast to play with her Belle Barbie.
My grandparents with all of their great grandkids - minus those in utero. (Can you believe that all but 3 are from my family?)
Santa came to visit Jeff's work on the 21st so we made a stop to see the big guy. Jacob was excited to see him but turned out to only love him from afar. When we tried to put him on Santa's lap he immediately slid off and wouldn't go close unless I was with him. Being shy and also unable to really talk Jacob didn't request anything for Christmas. Emily on the other hand had no problem telling Santa she wanted to be surprised this year.
That night we did a date night with my parents and all of my siblings. We gathered at my parents house and had dinner, told stories, laughed, and played games. I think everyone said at one point that we needed to get together without kids more often. It was so nice to actually be able to carry on a conversation without being interrupted or worry about whose hitting who. And we all LOVED that Lisa & Spencer were in town to join us too!
Friday the 23rd we gathered at my mom's once again - this time with the kids. After a quick lunch the kids got to decorate sugar cookies. This is another favorite tradition that I always loved doing as a kid. Of course there was plenty of snacking on the bowls of treats between decorating (which is why we served lunch first!).
Jenn, Stacy and I all tried to help our little kids while Lisa & my Mom frosted. (I don't know what we're going to do when Lisa has her own kids to worry about!). Chris & Matthew even came out and decorated a few cookies with us.
I can't believe Christmas is almost here! At this point I guess it's pretty much ready or not, here it comes!
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