Christmas Morning 2020 🌟🎄

The Shecklets were up before the sun this morning and discovered the surprises in their stockings. After a breakfast of eggbake (Grandma Patti’s recipe,) muffins, and juice, we opened gifts as a family.

Christmas Eve 2020 🎄

It was a snowy, chilly Christmas Eve. We finally received a substantial amount of snow yesterday along with strong winds. Today the whiteout conditions subsided enough for us to have one of Jake’s sisters join us for the second half of the day. We went to 5pm mass and then came back to the house for pizza soup (Grandma Fran’s recipe,) garlic bread, cookies, and a movie – Elf. (The church was almost empty so we took the opportunity to take a few pictures – masked and non-masked.)

Suprise Sundaes 🍨

My Aunt Ann, surprised us with a box full of sundae toppings for Christmas! The kids were SO excited to see all of the options!

We didn’t have any ice cream in the house on Monday, so they had to wait a day to make their sugary creations. I think they would all tell you they were worth the wait.

Decorating the tree 2020 🎄

The Shecklets decorated our Christmas tree tonight. They hung Astrid’s “A” ornament first.

The finished tree got two thumbs up from Shecklet #4.

Shecklet #3 also asked if we could hang a stocking for Astrid. We had an extra one (the white bear) that someone had given us the Christmas prior to Shecklet #1 joining us – but we ended up using a different one for him. It turns out it’s the perfect addition to our mantle this year.

Stuffed Gnome

Part of our nephew’s 2020 Christmas present is a stuffed gnome I made. (I saw one that a college friend made and thought I’d give making one a try.) Shecklet #2 helped by stuffing him. I think he ended up pretty cute!

Christmas Day 2019

We started the day by attending Christmas Day mass. One of our friends was able to capture a great photo of us (she’s our go-to Easter picture taker, too.)

After we returned home (and changed into comfy clothes) we opened gifts.  The kids each opened their “read” gift first, then their “need” gift.

Followed by their “want” gift.

There were a few extra special gifts from Great Aunt Deb & Uncle Steve as well as Shecklet #1’s tutor, and Shecklet #2 & #4’s godparents.  Then the kids opened their “shared” gifts – things to do together or share with each other.

Lego set building lasted throughout the day.

Shecklet #4 worked on one of her craft projects from Grandma & Grandpa.

Christmas “dinner” wasn’t anything fancy.  We decided to keep it simple and just to heavy appetizers.  The kids didn’t seem to mind.  After dinner, we opened the Shecklets’ new game, Dixit, and played and laughed together.  We ended the evening by finishing the newer animated version of the Grinch.  It was a perfectly peaceful Christmas Day!

Christmas Eve 2019

Over the hills and through St. Paul, to Grandma Patti and Grandpa Dave’s house we go!

This photo of Jake & Jason sums up the personalities of these two, perfectly.

Ninja bread cookies

That’s not a typo in the title.

The Shecklets made ninja bread cookies (with a gingerbread mix) and decorated them for Grandma Lois’ Christmas today. They also cut out dog bones and dinosaurs because they totally make you think of Christmas, right? 😂🎄🦕

Swurfer Sunday

This kid got a swurfer swing for Christmas and her dad made it possible for her to use is in the heated garage during the winter.

I even gave it a try. Shecklet #4 made sure I had a helmet on for safety!