merry Christmas 2013...

Christmas day has come and gone.  It seemed to pass quickly this year.

Christmas eve was quiet and cozy.  After a pizza dinner we cuddled up on the couch, turned off all the lights and watched the original Home Alone.  I took a video of Landon because his laugh was killing me but his reaction in this one is so much better.  I also love that I can listen to the movie in the background and can see exactly what is happening in my mind.

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Christmas morning...

(this picture was taken after the stockings were ransacked)

Things were a tad different this year.  Let's just say that Ashlyn and Landon have grown up a lot in the last year.  It may have hit me a little harder than I thought it would.  Let's move on.

Christmas morning was full of fun and excitement.  There were stockings, and presents and the Uncle Craig Christmas breakfast tradition.

Ashlyn used all her "Bee tickets" at school to purchase gifts for everyone in the family.  It is so awesome to see her getting to the age where she enjoys seeing someone open a gift that she has put a lot of though into.  
There were also dog presents…

Every year Chris and I take Ashlyn and Landon shopping for each other.  They get to think about what the other might want the most.  This year they each came to me separately and said that they wanted to get the other a Rainbow Loom for Christmas.  I thought it was hilarious that they got each other the same gift and had absolutely no idea.  They were both surprised when they unwrapped their presents and spent a good portion of the day making bracelets.

Landon got two of these giant blow-up balls for Christmas.  Apparently, a chest bump was necessary...
Eventually, Ashlyn and Landon both put them on and decided to ram each other. It was good for a lot of laughs. At one point Ashlyn fell down and couldn't get back up. Landon tried to help her up but couldn't reach her arm so she just rolled around on the ground shouting "Help! Help! I've fallen and I can't get up!"  

Chris created another amazing meal.  Roasted pork roast, garlic mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, cranberry sauce, and a white bean and kale soup.  

I was off the hook for dessert this year.  Instead Chris made a rich & delicious chocolate fondue…

By the end of the day the house was a disaster of presents, wrapping paper, and half empty glasses but no one cared.  We ignored the mess and spent their rest of the evening talking and laughing while the kids explored their new gifts.

I hope your Christmas was happy and blessed.

We are gearing up for our annual New Years Eve celebration with the Hulls!  Bring it on 2014!!