Where have I been?

Really, where *have* I been? I don't know why I'm so awful at keeping this blog updated. :(

Anyway, Christmas this (last?) year was WONDERFUL!!! George's parents and two of his sisters flew out from Utah to spend it with us. The first time we've ever had family come to US for Christmas, or for any holiday since my parents spend Thanksgiving with us back in 2003. It was nice to see my kids get to celebrate a holiday with extended family on their own turf. No packing up the car, or enduring the airport.

The kids loved it. They took right to their Grandma and Papa and aunts (although they've met their Aunt Mary many times, I don't think Errol had seen his Aunt Maureen since he was a little toddler). The sisters, George and I went down to Portland their first night here and had dinner at The Melting Pot. I got to try lobster for the first time. It tasted just like shrimp, which was rather disapointing for the price we paid, but oh well. Everything was delicious, and it was nice to have a kid-free evening with adult conversation. :) We came home to kids being tucked into bed, rather than screaming their heads off like I thought might happen.

On Christmas Eve I dragged one of the aunts along to a morning Zumba class. I wasn't feeling too hot that day, so we ended up leaving a bit early, but the bit of class we were there for was super fun, as always. The rest of the day was spent wrapping presents, watching Elf and Top Gear, and watching the kids get more and more excited about Christmas and Santa's impending visit.

For the first time Raia left cookies and milk for Santa, plus a "clue" to tell her where her second stocking was hung. Last year I bought initial stockings for our family, but held onto the kids' first stockings, and when I pulled out our Christmas stuff this year Raia wouldn't let me take the old stockings back out to the garage. She hung hers from her bedroom door and Errol's from their closetdoor. The "clue" for Santa caught me by surprise, as I hadn't planned on stuffing two stockings, but "Santa always delivers", so a small box of candy and a Disney flashlight ended up in the extra stockings rather than the main ones. ;) It actually turned out to be a great thing, as it gave them something exciting first thing in the morning, and they could eat their candy and play with their new flashlights in their room until the grandparents and aunts arrived.

George and I were up until almost midnight Christmas Eve getting all the presents ready. Assembling some of Patrick's presents (a Go Diego tricycle and beads-on-a-wire toy from Ikea), George wrapping some of my presents, and me stuffing all the stockings (except my own of course). Christmas morning Patrick headed straight for his toys. He sat right on the tricycle, played with the jack-in-the-box, and ran the beads along their wires. He wasn't interested in the presents for him that were actually wrapped until someone kindly unwrapped them for him, THEN he'd want them right away to play with. Both Raia and Errol got a pillow pet from their Aunt Maureen, and looooooved them. They also got lots of movies, more trains, Tinkerbell stuff, books, and things that make noise and eat batteries (mostly from the grandparents ;) They loved everything and had a wonderful Christmas. :) George got me the Zumba Wii game, a cute skirt and belly chain, and grey ugg-style boots (SO soft and warm!). I got him seasons 2 and 3 of Big Bang Theory, and a super cool pocket watch that has a clear face so you can see the gears. It was just a really great Christmas. :)

For breakfast George made omelettes, and we pigged out on fry bread, Christmas cookies, crackers and cheese, chocolate, candy, and chips. Dinner was ham, cheesy potatoes, rolls, peas, and stuffing. I felt like I could hardly move by the time Christmas was over, my stomach was so stuffed!

Sunday we got to all go to church together and spend a quiet Sunday afternoon at home, the Monday afternoon they had to leave and go home. :( The kids were so sad to see them go, and I was too. Hopefully they won't be too disappointed if we don't have any extended family around for next Christmas.

I love big family holidays, and Thanksgiving and Christmas are the two times of year where I *don't* like living in Washington. :(