Home for the Holidays

The last couple of days have felt like weeks considering how jam-packed they've been. We've been very busy shopping and wrapping and cooking and cleaning and then just enjoying the time spent with family.

This year we spent the holiday at home with family from all over joining us to celebrate. Yiayia flew in last week, Mimi and Stu arrived the day before Christmas Eve and Baba and Nana stopped in for Christmas day.
This year Christmas was so much fun because the girls were really anticipating it. And each day brought new excitements. Athena kept saying "I looove Christmas...it's my best holiday!" and I think Zoe enjoyed the candy canes most of all.

John Patrick was just happy to be a part of it all this year.
This is how we spent the holiday...
On Christmas Eve morning, we woke up to a house full of family. Unca Stu is always game for some coloring over breakfast

and then easily falls into the rhythm of the house by becoming a napping place following said breakfast.

While Yiayia cooked, Chris worked and Mimi and I did some last minute shopping, Stu took the girls to the playground. Then we came home and got ready for the Christmas service at church.
Zoe looked scrumptious in her red dress and pretty necklace but wasn't having any of my attempts at a photo session. And so began my annual futile attempt to get a few nice pictures of us all together.

Unca Stu jumped in to lighten the mood.

This would be a great shot if it wasn't for Bugs.

We replaced the plastic carrot for a candy cane and added an Athena and Daddy.

This is almost nice, except that my smile shows the strain of trying to keep three little ones from either crying, wiggling or smacking each other.

But this in one of my all-time faves.

After the service, we noticed that Athena got a hand delivered letter from Santa, which Mimi read to her, thanking her for her letter and saying how proud he was of her this year.

Then someone put the baby in the sink.

This year we had two Christmas trees, the "Mommy tree" which has matching silver and glass ornaments...

and the family tree which includes the handmade fun stuff decorated entirely by the girls.

After church we came home and had a wonderful French Canadian traditional meal of Ragout and Tortierre. Following dinner, everyone received new pajamas and opened one gift. This game was Athena's gift to Zoe, when she opened it she said "It's just what a wanted!!"
Then it was time to make cookies and prepare the treats for Santa. The girls decided he would like some chocolate milk, chocolate chip cookies, carrots for the raindeer

and a note to Santa reminding him of their hearts desires: a drumset and a kitty.

We posed for pictures so that Santa would know who left the goodies.
In the morning, the girls were amazed that the cookies were half eaten and the carrots too! And Santa had left notes for them! Zoe's note said that although Santa was not able to fulfill her wish of a real kitty this year maybe he could next year until then here is an almost real kitty to love which was attached to a FurReal cat that meows, purrs, blinks and wags his tail. She named her MeowMeow and she loves her very much.Athena's note said "Dear Athena. Here is your drumset. Rock on. Santa."
I was totally against getting a drumset, and I'm still not that thrilled about the noise, but everyone else loves it.
Santa did leave some great baking aprons for all of us in our stockings.
Chris shows off his Christmas jammies as he prepared the requisite plate of pork.

A couple of hours later and we had total destruction in our living room.
and happy happy little girls.
Athena enjoyed her new artset quite a bit.
Later that day, Baba and Nana came by with their wee pup.
And lots of gear for my boys, preparing them for college basketball season. (Go Cats!)
Yiayia showed off some of her Christmas presents.

Baba made the mince meat pie.

and Chris prepared the turkey.

We had an impromptu jam session and then ate dinner on my new dining room table that expands to seat eight comfortably (thanks Daddy, Yiayia and PopPop) with my beautiful Christmas linens and festive candles. Many new traditions are being born this year.
By the end of the day, everyone was worn, happy and warmed by the love of family. This truly is the most wonderful time of year. It was a lovely Christmas!