Christmas Happenings...

So, it's been a while since I've posted and since it's snowing like crazy outside and I feel kind of trapped in my house... I'm not feeling particularly jolly or creative but I guess I better tell about Christmas.

It was a busy busy Christmas season! For some reason adding school and activities (dance for example) into the mix seems to make things busier. People have always told me that things get busier as your kids get older and I can slowly see that happen.

A couple of days before Christmas we had our Bateman Family Christmas party, which was fun, but no pictures...

Christmas Eve Michael worked for half day and then he came home and let me go out and get a few last minute things. I haven't carried on every tradition from when I grew up, but we have opened pajamas (like most people) every Christmas Eve. My mom used to do a big turkey dinner on Christmas Eve... and that's one thing I haven't done. Usually we've gotten hamburgers or take out... and that's just fine with me.

The kids had a great Christmas. Sam kept on saying, "This is the best Christmas EVER!" The kids were really happy with their gifts. Sam had on his list "bell, harmonica, Santa hat" so when he opened those he would say "This was on my list!" He was really fun this Christmas. Michael got a pack of bungee cords and Sam said "Wow, Dad, those are really cool. Were they on your list?"

Katelyn loved everything she got. For example, she opened up a coloring book and immediately started coloring in it. A couple of favorite gifts for her were figurines (like little princesses and Little Einstein figurines) and the kids exchanged gifts this year and Sam got her a little plastic purse from the dollar store and she has carried that around ever since.

We went up to the Gardner celebration Christmas morning, where we have always had the pleasure of seeing Santa. The kids loved seeing Santa and Sam especially (he has really been excited about Christmas this year) was interested in asking Santa all sorts of questions like "Remember when I told you I wanted a bell at the Christmas party?" (the church one).

All of our Christmas is put away, most of our returns are done... So, that's it! Until next year.