Yes!! We survived our pre-Christmas illness and are all doing well in the Hall House! The last few weeks involved a whirlwind of activity, but lots of good times with the people we love most -- our family!
A few days before Christmas, we left to spend the holidays with Jon's side of the family. Believe it or not, this was my first time spending the night at Jon's house on Christmas Eve and I was excited to take part in all of their Christmas traditions -- I know they are all so meaningful to Jon and his brothers! We started Christmas Eve with some sledding (boys only) and a fancy brunch. Later on, we all went over to my parents' house for drinks and appetizers and our first annual White Elephant exchange. The gift exchange was a lot of fun, although Jon couldn't fathom why anybody wouldn't want HIS gift, and wound up stealing it from somebody since he liked it so much -- a pocket I.Q. Test :) Tanner was in heaven that evening with everyone giving him food from their plates and the platter of Christmas cookies just within his reach on the dining room table.
After lots of yummy food and conversation, we headed back to the Hall house to put the finishing touches on our gifts for Christmas morning and get some sleep. Jon and I weren't sure who was more excited about Santa coming -- Tanner or US!! Unfortunately for all of the other adults, Tanner was up and ready to get down to business at 7am. The girls and I headed to the top of the steps, where everyone waits to hear the train underneath the tree, signaling that Santa indeed came! Little did we know that all of the boys were going to shower, brush their teeth, do their hair, get dressed, etc, before heading downstairs. I fully support everyone brushing their teeth, but the showering was a little excessive. :) I'm just saying ...
We opened gifts for the next several hours -- it took Tanner a while. (Note to self: you don't have to wrap EVERY SINGLE ITEM for a toddler.) He LOVED his little trike on rockers (it converts to a tricycle) from Grandma and Granpa Hall, his travel magnadoodle from Aunt Kat and Uncle Pat, his Barrel of Monkeys from Uncle Steve and Aunt Kristin, and his little animal set from mommy and daddy. The animal set came with a little bag to carry all the animals around -- we've started calling it his man-purse since he carries it everywhere. Too funny. Anyways, after all that unwrapping, it was naptime for Tanner and I, followed by our annual Hall/Shirley Christmas dinner and a movie.
The next morning, it was time to head home and prepare for Part 2 of our Christmas vacation -- I'll post about that next! Enjoy the pics!
A few days before Christmas, we left to spend the holidays with Jon's side of the family. Believe it or not, this was my first time spending the night at Jon's house on Christmas Eve and I was excited to take part in all of their Christmas traditions -- I know they are all so meaningful to Jon and his brothers! We started Christmas Eve with some sledding (boys only) and a fancy brunch. Later on, we all went over to my parents' house for drinks and appetizers and our first annual White Elephant exchange. The gift exchange was a lot of fun, although Jon couldn't fathom why anybody wouldn't want HIS gift, and wound up stealing it from somebody since he liked it so much -- a pocket I.Q. Test :) Tanner was in heaven that evening with everyone giving him food from their plates and the platter of Christmas cookies just within his reach on the dining room table.
After lots of yummy food and conversation, we headed back to the Hall house to put the finishing touches on our gifts for Christmas morning and get some sleep. Jon and I weren't sure who was more excited about Santa coming -- Tanner or US!! Unfortunately for all of the other adults, Tanner was up and ready to get down to business at 7am. The girls and I headed to the top of the steps, where everyone waits to hear the train underneath the tree, signaling that Santa indeed came! Little did we know that all of the boys were going to shower, brush their teeth, do their hair, get dressed, etc, before heading downstairs. I fully support everyone brushing their teeth, but the showering was a little excessive. :) I'm just saying ...
We opened gifts for the next several hours -- it took Tanner a while. (Note to self: you don't have to wrap EVERY SINGLE ITEM for a toddler.) He LOVED his little trike on rockers (it converts to a tricycle) from Grandma and Granpa Hall, his travel magnadoodle from Aunt Kat and Uncle Pat, his Barrel of Monkeys from Uncle Steve and Aunt Kristin, and his little animal set from mommy and daddy. The animal set came with a little bag to carry all the animals around -- we've started calling it his man-purse since he carries it everywhere. Too funny. Anyways, after all that unwrapping, it was naptime for Tanner and I, followed by our annual Hall/Shirley Christmas dinner and a movie.
The next morning, it was time to head home and prepare for Part 2 of our Christmas vacation -- I'll post about that next! Enjoy the pics!
Maybe next year, Santa!
The carousel at the mall -- a preview of our Magic Kingdom fun.
Watch out! Coming through! Next year, I'm sure the boys will attempt to hook him up to the back of their car, pulling him around the cul-de-sac. This will be over my dead body, of course.
A snowman who's just my size. Thanks, Uncle Pat!
A Royal Flush. You can just give my winnings to Mommy.
Mmmm ... my 27th cookie. Christmas ROCKS.
Lovin' It.
Santa went COMPLETELY overboard and had this last present waiting for Tanner when we returned home. Thank you, Santa!!
8 comments:
Finally - an update! I have been waiting anxiously to hear about your Christmas. We missed you guys terribly since we aren't celebrating Christmas together anymore...we all just reproduce too much to fit together in one house! Tanner is getting so big - loved the pictures!
Loved the update! The pictures are cute as ever. I guess because you have the cutest boy in every picture. Loved the one of him and Grandpa Hall at the table. Glad no one was sick and you got over all the yuckies! Can't wait to hear part 2.
Oh yeah, totally jealous of the snow. Every year when we go to Michigan for the holidays, the snow disappears. I think we have a curse. Poor Kennedy has yet to play in it! The day we arrived was 60 degrees out and everything was melting.
Okay, I was starting to get worried about you! So glad you're back to your blog. Looks like you had LOTS of fun! Tanner is so cute and I'm sure he loved every minute of being with your families...as I'm sure you and Jon did too.
Hi Rachel,
Your Christmas sounds like a ton of fun. I can't believe how big Tanner is!?! My goodness... How are you feeling? You look fantastic. I"m glad to hear that things are going well!
Love, Annie
Christmas looks like it was a blast. Joey thinks Tanner's train table is really cool!
Looks like everyone had a great time. Cute pictures!
Looks like fun! B got the train set from my parents last year, and insisted on always taking the train tracks apart. Constantly. And then he didn't really play with it, bc it was never together! I found out they sell these little plastic pieces that keep the tracks together so they can't take it apart -- email me and I'll look up the website! They're great!
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