A Merry Christmas Indeed

Once again it's been awhile since I posted. But this time, I've been busy having fun! I pulled a few late nights to finish some Christmas gifts, but from then on, it was a wonderfully peaceful Christmastime.

Now, before I tell you of our Christmas, I must first tell you a story...

A year ago I went to an Enrichment Seminary called, "Cutting the Crazy Out of Christmas." It was given by two ladies who deliver their shpeel year-round and we'd had to book them 14 months in advance. Given their high-demand and the catchy title, I was excited to learn some multitasking skills and get some great ideas. Let me tell you, it was the ultimate disappointment. I walked away thinking that the only way to cut the crazy out of Christmas was to do everything in my power to never become like those ladies. They had 3" binders where they kept track of the following:

• All the presents they've given everyone for the last 5 years (so you don't repeat, obviously).
• Names of all peoples to receive presents, including, I kid you not, the kids' school bus drivers and husband's secretary's children.
• Previous dates,themes, menus and party favors of the 5-6 Christmas parties they host.
• Any calendar they receive throughout the year that has events for December.
  
• List of homes they've caroled to for the past 5 years.

Obviously, there was a bunch more stuff I don't remember, but it was literally a 3" binder and it was packed. So in the hullabaloo of their shpeel, where I felt guilty for not knitting my sister-in-law's neighbor's kid's coats like they had, I actually learned something. One of the women admitted that they had gotten carried away with buying gifts for their children and since then they give each child 4 gifts every year. Now I was listening. Here was her idea:

Something you want,
Something you need,
Something to wear,
And....
Something to read!

This was pure genius! I talked to Travis about it when I got home and we decided to do it, and let me tell you, it was fabulous. The categories really helped us hone in on what the other person wanted and get them personal, thoughtful gifts. So without ado, I'm going to share with you some of our favorite Christmas moments!

Ethan modeling his "Baby's First Christmas" outfit!
I found it at Kohl's on clearance the year previous for, are you ready, $0.70!

Ethan found the Christmas pickle on our tree so he's guaranteed a year of prosperity!

Lexie's "Something to Read" present: The Puppy Who Wanted a Boy.
(A darling, must-have for any family with dogs and kids)

This was a "Bonus" gift that I made Travis. Bless his heart, the man can never remember how to set the table. He stares at it for a few minutes and then either gives up and asks me longingly for help or proceeds onward and sets it wrong. I'm talking fork with knife on the left and spoon on the right with the cup at the top left. So, to be funny, I made him placemats and laminated them! As you can see, each item is labeled and in the correct spot. Up at the top it says: "I can set the table!" Travis got a kick out of them and is doing much better setting the table now;o)

Daddy and the Boy modeling the matching hats I knitted for them.
(Something to wear)

Think she liked it? Here's mom "Ooooing" and "Aaahhing" over the Christmas wall quilt I made her. I didn't get any full pictures of it, but I will and will post them later. It's 10 various sized blocks of snowpeople and winter scenes and I titled it, "Nancy's Snowfriends."

Ethan chillin' in his "Something you need" a Britax Roundabout car seat. They're expensive pieces of work, but they're beautifully engineered and have the highest safety rating.
That, combined with how comfy it is and how much he likes it, makes it worth it to us.

We hope you all had a Merry Christmas; we certainly did!