Christmas 2016

Christmas Eve was not the best of days. For various reason things were just not working out and the day as a whole was a struggle. The children were actually very well behaved, so can't blame this on them, just one of those days that nothing can be easy. This went on all day until I started getting ready for Christmas Eve mass which I thought was at 4:00pm. I started my getting myself ready super early in an attempt to prevent craziness when it was time to walk out the door. Of course that didn't work out as both boys had issues with their various shirt, belt, suspender, combinations. Yet another reason I could not handle girls, these boys are drama enough.

 Notice the costume changes, for our second attempt at mass both lost their suspenders and added a belt.



We arrived at church at 3:20 p.m., as I remembered that's all the earlier we had been there the year before for Christmas Eve mass. This turns out to be true, but we were there forty minutes early for the 6:30pm mass, not the 4:00 p.m. Apparently the earlier mass is the mass that is super full and the one we had attempted to sit through in the over flow room, while watching it on a big screen tv, two years ago. After searching for seats I called my sister and confirmed I was indeed losing my mind and we had gone to the 6:30pm mass last year. Back home we went, to sit around for an hour and half, trying to keep our dress clothes clean, and of course changing our minds about our various outfit choices. It should be noted we do not live close to the church, it is a solid twenty minute drive. In good news we might have named our son on the way home after seeing a street sign, this sweet boy's name might just be Thatcher Valentine. Then back we went for the evening mass, which was not full and was very lovely. We sat with Abbey's family so the cousins all lost their collective minds together, ending with super cute cousin pictures which is now becoming a tradition.



All this insanity really made for a long day and we were definitely ready to get to bed once we got home. The boys got in their matching jammies, set out the cookies, gave Gary hugs and kisses, and set out their reindeer for the big night!! Once the boys were off to bed Zach and I started our traditional viewing of It's a Wonderful Life. We got presents down from the attic, stockings stuffed, and were in bed by about 11pm.

 Stealing a drink of Santa's milk before going to bed.

Side story: Rowan's first Christmas was pretty insane. We were living at mom's house and our world had pretty much been turned upside down for the past three months. Some how, another Christmas miracle I guess, I pulled my life together enough to get the boys matching pajamas. This has turned out to be one of my favorite Christmas traditions. Now Gary brings them matching pajamas every year and the boys ADORE them. They are so different in size that matching outfits usually aren't a possibility, but so far I've been able to get matching pajamas every year. The four years of pictures, of these two in front of the Christmas tree, with their matching pjs truly melts my heart. I cannot wait to add another boy to these pictures next year. Fingers crossed they make a size big enough for Zane so we can have at least one year of all three in the same ones!



Our Christmas morning started bright and early at 4:45AM. Rowan was the first one up to use the bathroom and peek in on his brand new bike sitting under the Christmas tree. From that point it was truly a lost cause. Both boys were up, opening and shutting their doors, until 5:45 when Zach and I finally gave up. We didn't start the day in the best of moods to say the least.

Present time went well, everyone got what they had asked for and were ecstatic with every gift. This year there were lots of necessities given, such as socks, pants, shirts, hats, gloves, slippers, and headphones for the car. Neither one needed any toys, but each got the big gift they had asked Santa for. Zane wanted a bow and arrow (which truly was his only real request) and Rowan got a new big boy bike.



Rowan also got skinny jeans, new aviators (after losing his original pair) tons of cars (hotwheels and from the Cars Movie), a toy nail gun, Lightening McQueen slippers, new cowboy boots, a little stuffed fox who we spent most of the day searching for, he was a sly little guy. Of course there were lots of fun, random stocking stuffers with some books mixed in there too.

Zane got everything he asked for, Legos, sweat pants galore, slippers, a stuffed gorilla, Guess Who board game, books, and the boys joint gift was an ant farm. A Christmas miracle occurred, getting our live ants here in time for Christmas, without them freezing to death. This made for lots of fun over the past few days watching them tunnel and start their little village. I think Zach might have enjoyed watching the ants the most of all.

Rowan enjoying Zane's new punching bag.

The rest of our day was spent playing and trying to fit in some time outside before the rains moved in. Zane got lessons on his bow and arrow while I watched Rowan ride his new, tiny bike. It was extremely windy which made both tasks slightly difficult and our made our electricity flicker most of the day. We built Legos, road bikes, watched our ants, played with cars, watched a movie, and struggled to stay awake until nap time.

 Our usual Christmas rule is that we do not leave our house on Christmas Day. Having Christmas somewhere other than our house or going someone later in the day has previously proven disastrous. The children's lack of sleep and emotional let down would end in huge fits and very bratty, first world problems that I really didn't want as part of our Christmas. So I was pretty nervous when Blakley Christmas was scheduled for late afternoon Christmas day at Aunt Abbey's house. I am extremely happy to report that everyone did amazing, except one small little boy meltdown, about bicycles, from Rowan. It was partially my fault, since I had mentioned earlier in the day that we could bring his bike with us, then we forgot, and he was forced to ride a bicycle that was the exact same size as his, but not his brand spanking new one. Everyone loved their presents, played well together, and ate lots of yummy food. I was feeling particularly pregnant, ate way too much food, and ended the night feeling pretty miserable, but that's par for the course in my life currently.

 Rowan got two big gifts at Blakley family Christmas, his first real set of Legos and a very fancy shirt. He loves them both and has played with/worn them both lots since he got them.

Overall it was a lovely Christmas. The boys are at extremely fun ages, where they can be really excited about all their toys, actually play with them, realize it was what they ask for, and spend most of their day thanking us, and Santa, for bringing them everything they wanted. I got lots of snuggles and kisses, as did baby brother. One of my favorite moments was when Rowan wanted to show baby brother his new cowboy boots. "Do you like my new boot baby brother?" It was so cute and we are all so excited about the two new babies that will be at Christmas next year.

I end every Christmas slightly sad. Time continues to fly by. It feels like about a month ago that it was last Christmas. So many things have happened since then and the boys have grown up so much over this year. I can't wrap my head around the idea that this time next year we'll have a nine month old. My prayer for the new year is to be able to slow down and savor every single moment of our last baby. Every single moment with my big boys who are growing up too quickly.