Christmas really started for us the weekend before Christmas, when my brother and sister-in-law got here Sunday. It was so great to have them in town since we don't get to see them very much. They live in Provo, Utah! I'm thinking we need to go visit them at some point this year.
We made gingerbread men that night:
When we were kids my mom would always make chocolate covered pretzels and this year I asked her if we could make them together.
As we munched on all these goodies we played charades (Christmas style!). We each wrote down a bunch of Christmas things including songs, movies, places, people, things. Pretty much anything Christmas!
After that we exchanged gifts. Sadly I didn't take -any- pictures of this. I don't think any of us did... first year ever not taking pictures. I will be more diligent with that next year. We got some great things though. I got a Silhouette Portrait, something I've wanted for going on 4 or so years! I haven't done any projects with it yet but have some big plans. Chris got a Miami Dolphins blanket & a high quality chef's knife he's had an eye on for a few years. Ebin got a video camera and Rhiannon got a digital camera. They've had a blast using those since Christmas.
Chris and I gave my parents some subway art for their kitchen and I made a name sign for Sean & Cory. The colors will go perfect in their living room.
The first annual Gilmore Family Live Nativity was performed!
We acted out silent parts to the Nativity story read aloud by my dad. Rhiannon was our angel and also the star. Ebin and I were wise men, Chris was a shepherd (and held a very awesome staff), Sean & Cory were Mary and Joseph. Jesus was played by my brother's teddy bear from when he was really little. Even though we had fun doing it, it was nice have that reverent family time together.
After saying our goodbyes we quickly hopped in the car and hurried our way down to Worland where my parents-in-law live to make sure the kids could get in bed before Santa Claus came. I love when we get to go down and visit them and were glad we got to spend the night. We visited for a while and it was so fun talking with Rhiannon about tracking Santa. Google has an awesome app that tracks Santa and how many gifts he's delivered so far. It was fun following it all night. I found myself even checking it long after the kids were in bed! I'm still a believer ;)
We've been wrestling with the idea of telling Ebin about Santa since last year and since he is now a big kid in Middle School we wanted to talk to him about it. We sat Ebin down and explained that the real Santa wasn't a real person alive today but his spirit of good will, giving and love are carried on by every parent on Earth for their kids. Our parents before us, us for them and eventually they will for their own kids. We told him that he was old enough to be trusted with the task of carrying on the magic of Christmas with us and he got pretty excited about it. He had to make sure this Christmas was super special for Rhiannon - as you can see in the video below. Such sweet memories this will be for years to come!
Before bed we gave the kids strict instructions NOT to wake us all up before 5:30 in the morning. Lucky them they didn't break the rules... they woke us up exactly at 5:30. Smart kiddos :P
Santa pulled through and came pretty close with a pillow case instead. I'm thinking he had to of had some highly magical and skilled help from at least one of his elves, I'm sure of it!
After that we commenced with the gift opening! (Check out those awesome PJ's I found on sale for buy one get one free!!)
After that we got our much needed nap while the kids played with their toys and video games. We made dinner and Chris' Grandma Sharon and Grandpa Joe came over to enjoy it with us.