Christmas Three Times!

I cannot believe that Christmas has already come and gone this year. Just as quickly as we put the lights up, it's time to take them down. Spending Christmas in our new house made it extra special this year. The new memories will be forever cherished. Having said that, I can't help but think that the holiday season was missing a bit of tradition. The holiday snuck up on me and I didn't have time to savor the moments as much as I would have liked to. 

Our Realtor sent us this cute little ornament with our new address on it!

My Grandfather had an accident the night before Christmas Eve and wasn't feeling up to company. For many years, we have spent Christmas Eve at my Grandma's and missing the tradition was heartfelt. We so look forward to celebrating this weekend instead. 

We had to come up with a Plan B and you can always count on Chinese restaurants to be open for dinner on Christmas Eve. We went to the Jade Garden and enjoyed a nice Christmas dinner before the candle light service. 

 Grandpa asked the girls to light the Jesus candle. 

Maybe we should have sat closer!

 A couple of years ago we started the Christmas PJ tradition. The girls are allowed to open one gift from Mom and Dad on Christmas Eve. Elizabeth caught on this year and knew that she was opening the gift of comfortable pajamas! She was excited nonetheless! 

The girls wanted to leave notes for Santa this year, thanking him for the gifts.

After the girls changed into their PJs, and set out the cookies, carrots and milk for our anticipated guests, Dad read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. 

And then, like everything else this holiday season, we had to wrap gifts at the last minute. Nathan and I (Santa's helpers) watched It's a Wonderful Life and wrapped the girls' Christmas gifts.

Elizabeth was up at 3:30 a.m.! I wasn't surprised because she was so concerned that she would sleep through Christmas day. Nate told her to go back to sleep, but then both of the girls were up at 5:30 a.m. We made them lay back down for an hour and then finally got up. 

Santa brought the girls most everything that they so humbly asked for this year. The favorite for both of them (I think) were the American Girl dolls, or Our Generation, from Target! Santa decided that he would see how interested the girls really are before investing in the name brand doll!

Elizabeth named her doll Rowe.

And Abby named hers Holly.

 Nate and I made the dough for Grandma Irene's Cinnamon Rolls, a new Christmas morning tradition, and we all packed up and headed off to Grandma and Grandpas. Grandma and Grandpa had gifts under their tree since Thanksgiving and so opening them was much anticipated by the Grandkids!

This is Caleb's Pirate face! Scary! 

Funny Christmas shades.

 And then it was off to Ya Ya and Pops' house for an Eastwood Christmas celebration. Mom always puts out a nice spread of sandwich and finger foods. The girls weren't interested in food!

Darling home-made hats. 

The girls go into a paper shredding frenzy at Ya Ya and Pops' house. Mom puts all of their gifts in front of them and lets them go to town and they don't have to share the limelight with their cousins. 

The girls were spoiled by family and Santa alike. They had a great Christmas and it's not over yet! The girls were at a fun age this year. The kids fill the house with laughter and joy during the holidays and they add to much to our lives. We are blessed as parents to have such wonderful children to be surrounded by at Christmas. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS FRIENDS AND FAMILY!

Gearing Up for Christmas

Christmas snuck up on me this year! We finally got over hosting Thanksgiving and Elizabeth's Birthday and were bombarded with the Annual Christmas Party. These events didn't leave much room for the baking and crafts and lights that we like to partake in every year. I read an article exclaiming that it's OK to pack away the Super Mom Christmas costume and just say, "no" to certain things. I chose to embrace this philosophy this year. While I didn't waste any time beating myself up about missing out on the small things, I will certainly be more in-tuned next Christmas.

I missed cut-out cookies and visiting neighbors. We also missed out on the fun Christmas crafts and visiting Santa Clause. Even still, Christmas this year was full of laughter and joy for the VanDusseldorp Family. 

We kicked off Christmas week with church and the annual Christ Community Christmas Program. Elizabeth, Abigail, Caleb, and Jude all partook in the singing.

 This year's program was focused on names.

Obviously, Jesus is the most important name, but each of the kids shared the importance of their own names. Elizabeth means, "my God is an oath" and Abigail means, "Father rejoice,". 

"Away in a Manger" was performed by the preschool kids. There were motions throughout the song and Jude and Caleb were so cute as they motioned as a sleeping baby Jesus! 

 And then Santa arrived! Abigail told Santa that she wanted a mood ring, which sent Mom on a wild goose chase on the 23rd of December!!! Elizabeth told him she wanted an Xbox ONE and I told her that wasn't going to happen. 

 We all went home and had a rest after the Christmas program. And then it was off to see the Zoo Lights.

We packed up into a couple of wagons, purchased some hot chocolate and took a stroll through the cold, but festive Denver Zoo.

Abby's purple tree!

Elizabeth was cold...and hungry...I don't think that the kids were that impressed to be honest. They still had a good time.

The whole family hit Perry's Pizza after the lights. We enjoyed the VanDusseldorp Family company, as always! The kids are all at a great age for Christmas this year. Having children allows us to experience a joy from Christmas that we hadn't known before, and for that we are thankful! Even without the holiday baking and mall Santa Clause, we enjoyed the holiday festivities with our loving friends and family! 

The 2013 White Elephant Christmas Party

THE PREPARATION

Late in September, Dana, Nate, and I made our usual visit to The Celtic to make the Christmas Party arrangements. We pulled up and realized that The Celtic had closed. The Celtic served as a great Christmas party venue for the past two years but we were forced to find another location. We searched around for a place that would be low-cost and convenient and struck out. So, we decided that we would bring the party back home. For years, Dana, Nate, and I would host the party at our tiny, yet humble adobe on Logan Street. Since we are now in a larger home, we decided that we could accommodate the guest list.

So, we went to the drawing board, aka Pinterest! We sent out the Save the Date, created invitations, planned for the food spread and decorated the house.

Christmas in Your Mouth station!

Party favors and guest book.

Dana and I decided that we would cater the party on our own. We made an assortment of finger foods. 

Dana and I found these brilliant party favors on Pinterest. We watched Christmas Vacation while we assembled! 

Shooters were attached to the final product! 

GOOD FRIENDS AND GOOD CHEER

It's an honor to co-host with this lovely lady every year! 

The Amanns sporting their new "utility" belt.

Wes, Ana, and Ernie

Lindsay, Wes, Ernie, Kim, and Ana

Chris and Jeremy

Good food and drinks brings friends together!

Dana and Cara

THE PHOTO BOOTH

More credit is due to Pinterest! Dana and I found the idea of a photo booth and set it up in the garage. We made props and put Christmas wrapping paper on the wall. 

Wes was our photo booth star!

Lindsay, Dana and myself

Poor Nate was sick all night long and had to miss out on a lot of the fun. He made appearances here and there.

All the ladies. I won't attempt to put names to this chaos!

All the boys. Clearly we will need a larger photo booth next year!

Sisters in-law. Julie, myself and Lindsay.

The VanDusseldorp Family.

Your hostesses.

The photo booth was so much fun. Should it make another appearance next year?

THE WHITE ELEPHANT GIFT EXCHANGE

The gift exchange is a hit every year! People put a lot of thought into fun gifts and we have a handful of repeat gifts that make special appearances every year.

Shawn Brown pulled #1 this year and selected the first gift...

...this lovely sushi kit. Needless to say, he spent the entire evening trying to trade. 

This remote control monster truck was a big hit. Nancy and Justin took it home and reported later that it terrified their daughter!

 Mark Amann's new found Judaism encouraged the box of Hebrew beers and Jewish paraphernalia. 

This memory foam pillow changed Lindsay's life! 

Roozing lost his battle and ended up with the gift he brought, the Zombie Apocalypse pellet guns.

The Dean Electric crew.

Julie's box of wine!

Dana took home this Broncos goblet. I hope to see it at our next FFB draft!

Mark ended up with Cheap Trick. This will be a helpful reminder since we can never remember who received it the previous year!

Chad had his daughter on his mind and brought this gumball machine home to her!

The Guinness light...who officially ended up with it?

Cara had a special twist that we added on to the end of the exchange. Very simple, if you roll doubles, you get to trade your gift with anybody in the room. This proved beneficial for Shawn Brown who was able to get rid of his Sushi Kit at the very end of the exchange! 

AN ENDING NOTE

The Christmas party is such a special party for all of us. We all treasure the opportunity to celebrate Christmas with our closest friends. I appreciate all of those who took the time to be here with us. Thank you for making Christmas special in more ways than one!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!