A Christmas to Remember

Well the excitement is over!  Christmas was lots of fun this year, with our little princess Elise celebrating with us for the first time ( she turns one this coming Sunday).

   Due to multiple families and the weather ( this is Minnesota after all) we actually had several Christmases this year.  Christmas Eve morning we had our traditional breakfast with the kids and grandkids ( great homemade caramel rolls, Gramma!) and then opened presents and let Jack, Wes and Elise play with their new toys. ( Jack and Wes love to come to our house at Christmas time, as Gramma turns our home into a winter wonderland of lights, ceramic villages and characters, and decorations).  Normally we would then have had my side of the family at our house for our Norwegian Christmas Eve dinner of Lutefisk, lefse, meatballs, etc.  We had a snowstorm this year that caused enough attendees to fear traveling that we postponed the evening tradition until Saturday.  While the postponement was disruptive to the schedule, it was actually nice to have a peaceful day with the Sean, Beckie and the grandkids.  We were able to enjoy visiting, going to afternoon church, and watching the kids play with their new toys.

 I got the boys a slot car racing set, which was a huge hit with both them and their dad ( as I told Beckie, it was a gift for all three of her boys. She also said she really didn't object to the gift.  I thought I'd be in trouble with her for getting the boys another big toy that is hard to store.)  The slot car set has a police car and a Mustang, or as Jack said, "the bad guys" and the chase was on for most of the afternoon.  Kudos to Sean for getting it set up and running.

  Christmas day morning, we got up and drove on the icy highways to my wife's niece's home about 50 miles south of us for her side's celebration. The highlights there were a new baby's first Christmas ( Brodie, who is seven months old), Lucy the beagle chasing Jack,  intimidating Wes, and fascinating Elise, the game of Pictionary with Christmas carol titles, and all the great food.

Saturday was the postponed celebration with my side of the family, with great-gramma, and all my brothers and their families. Pat's Lutefisk was great, and great-gramma's Swedish meatballs were once again a hit.   By the end of the day ( and the Christmas marathon ) we were all tired, and I think the grandkids were actually tired of being gone from home and their routines for three days.  At this stage of our lives, it becomes truly clear that Christmas really is for children, and we are lucky enough to be able to enjoy their delight and wonder during this special time of year.

     The  next big event is Elise's first birthday this coming Sunday, and I'm sure another post will be generated for this special occasion.