Christmas Day 2014

Thursday, December 25, 2014

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!  Wow, what a Christmas we had.  Our morning started with everyone sleeping in a bit.  Ahhh.  I was actually able to get up, start breakfast AND get a shower before Emily and Nora even woke up.

When Emily finally woke up and came out of her room, the first thing she saw was her new dollhouse in the loft waiting for her.  It was great.  Her eyes were huge and we could tell it was love at first sight.

After a little time admiring her dollhouse it was time to go down and see what Santa left.  We started the kids with stockings first, as usual.  Santa brought Emily a furry Frozen diary, some candy coins, some American Girl doll shoes, an iTunes gift card, an American Girl gift card, a stuffed palace pet and more.  We were definitely off to a good start!

After stockings it was time for breakfast - reindeer donuts for Emily and gingerbread french toast for the grown-ups.  Yum!

After breakfast, we dug into the presents with full force.  We gave Emily the dollhouse, socks and underwear (ha ha), a couple of new outfits, new tennis shoes, some new American Girl sized doll clothes, a figure skate t-shirt and more.  Santa brought Emily a Frozen ice palace, an American Girl horse with saddle, a little closet for her doll clothes and the whole family got a weekend get-away to Great Wolf Lodge coming up on January 9-11, 2015!  We are all very excited about that gift.  Grandma and Grandpa gave Emily a bed for her dolls, a barn for her horses, a Frozen sweatsuit, Frozen boots, an American Girl outfit with matching doll clothes, an American Girl ice skate set and more.   Uncle Scott and Aunt Karen gave Emily the Anna doll and sled, some American Girl accessories, a vanity set for her dolls and an iTunes gift card. Grandpa Marshall sent her even more cute outfits for her American Girl dolls plus the Barbie Secret Door movie and doll!  She had a HUGE Christmas and loved every minute!

   

Mommy and Daddy got some gifts too.  Daddy's favorites were a new sweater, a Vineyard Vines sweatshirt, running gear, t-shirts and new headphones for his airplane.  My favorites were a new fluffy vest, photo albums, necklace holder, a new suitcase and a pair of Tory Burch boots!

   

When all was said and done, the family room was a disaster and it was awesome.  BEST.  MESS. EVER.

We closed out Christmas 2014 with a birthday cake for baby Jesus (the reason for the season) and a family picture.

Can't wait until Christmas 2015!!  Only 364 more days....

Christmas Eve 2014

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Our Christmas adventures actually began Tuesday with the arrival of Grandma and Grandpa Heintz, Scott, Karen and Nora.  We had a nice meal of ham, sour cream potatoes, green beans and crescent rolls with a sour cream apple pie for dessert (along with a big cookie plate).

Our Christmas Eve fun began first thing in the morning with a yummy homemade eggnog coffee cake and an egg and hash brown casserole.  We had to have a big meal because our main Christmas feast was not planned until 4pm.

While Daniel tended to the turkey, Scott slept and Grandpa played on his iPad, Grandma, Karen, Nora, Emily and I went to the Clay Center to see the Christmas tree exhibit and let the kids run of a little energy.

After the Clay Center, Nora took a nap, Emily and Grandma played, Daniel continued his turkey tending and I began work on all the side dishes and desserts.  Yum!

By early afternoon, Emily realized that we had no reindeer food for the evening.  So, we sought out a recipe and made our very own - oatmeal, pecans and colored sugar.  I feel confident that the reindeer were pleased with their meal.

   

Finally, it was time for our meal and oh were we ready.  We decided last year that such a feast just had to have a day of its own and Christmas Day was just too busy to fully prepare and enjoy such a meal.  We had a full thanksgiving repeat, basically - turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes, corn pudding, veggies, cranberry sauce, crescent rolls and a massive load of desserts including cookies and chocolate pie.

After filling our tummies with many yummy things, it was time to get baths and get ready for Santa's arrival. Emily got a special e-mail video from Santa and his North Pole elves and then both girls (in adorable matching pjs) prepared a plate of cookies and milk for the man in red.

   

With kids tucked in, reindeer fed, and cookies available for Santa it was time to load the gifts under the tree and figure out a way to get Emily's new dollhouse up the stairs from the basement (which ended up requiring a roof removal and replacement).  Luckily we had all of our chores completed before Santa arrived...

...though some creatures were still stirring when he began unpacking his sack.  In fact, Zoey found her gift as soon as he left.  Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night...

Mr. Rockefeller's Tree

Thursday, December 18, 2014

"T'was Christmas Eve and Mr. Rockefeller's tree was bare at the top," the Christmas Drama Club show began.  The kids told the story of how so many people have come to have an angel on the top of their Christmas tree.  Many beautiful ornaments auditioned for the part of "tree topper" but ultimately only the angel was good enough for the role.  Emily played a flower:

"I've had my fill of flower pots, so please give me a try."
"Just don't say no, 'cause if you do, I'll break right down and cry."

     

Her lines are followed by rejection:

"Thank you but no, you're not quite right, for now you just won't do."
"Please step aside, there's more in line.  Don't call us, we'll call you."

It was a pretty cute little play and we could actually understand most of the words this year.  The kids are really growing up!

Polar Express

Friday, December 12-14, 2014

We headed back to Elkins for the Polar Express again this year, but this time we opted to stay at Stonewall Jackson Resort. We also went with Bonnie, Nathan and the kids this year which was fun.

When we arrived on Friday night, we all checked in and then the kids did their gift exchange which was fun.  Then we went to the lobby for hot cocoa, hot cider, cookies and a few pictures (shocking, I know).

Then it was time for a long winter's nap to get ready for our big day with Polar Express on Saturday.

First thing on Saturday morning, Bonnie and I headed to the spa (ahhhh) and Dan, Nathan and the kids all went to the pool for some swimming time.  The pool was heated so they even got to swim outside.  Not quite as neat as Snowshoe since there was no snow on the ground but still kinda cool.

After spa and swim, it was time for lunch at Stillwaters.  We had a great meal complete with lots of their yummy soft pretzel sticks.  Then we took Emily and Lauren for some girl time and pedicures while the guys relaxed in the room on their devices.  Boys...  I swear.   Anyway, Emily got her toenails painted a bright green glittery color for Christmas.

After the spa, we went to a neat liquid nitrogen peppermint ice cream demonstration and even got free samples.  Then it was time to head to Elkins for our holiday meal and train ride.  Unfortunately, this was also the time we had to say goodbye to Daddy as he had to come home to cover an evening call shift.  Poor Daddy.

We did the meal at the Railyard restaurant again this year.  It is not particularly good, but it is near the train so it is convenient and festive so it was fine.  Then we wandered through some of the little shops at the train station and did a little Christmas shopping.  Emily got a bear and I got earrings.  We picked out a t-shirt to bring home to Daddy.  Then it was time to prepare for boarding!

Once everyone was on board we left very quickly for the North Pole!  Of course we were treated to a great "hot chocolate" show en route.  There is no better hot chocolate anywhere than on Polar Express.  After we finished our cocoa, Santa paid us a visit and everyone got a special silver bell.  It was super fun!

   

Even after the train ride was over, our fun and surprises were not!  Shortly after arriving back in our room there was a knock at the door and there stood Mrs. Claus ready to read Emily a story and tuck her into bed!  What a wonderful Christmas surprise!  Emily still talks about it. 

After a good night's sleep and lots of sweet dreams, we got up on Sunday morning, packed our things and headed for breakfast with Santa back at Stillwaters restaurant.  The buffet is so amazingly good and Santa and Mrs. Claus made it all that much better.  What a great weekend and great family time with great friends too!

Emily's 7th Birthday!

Wednesday, December 10, 2010

I cannot even believe that Emily is 7.  She has really grown into a very sweet and very smart young lady.  We could not be more proud.  We love her a ton.

Her birthday fell on a school day this year, but her teacher had a sign up sheet for parents to bring a craft to  do with the class (both first grade classed) so I signed up for Emily's birthday.  I got to go make snowman ornaments with the kids.  They did a really great job and we made a BIG mess, but it was fun.  We wrapped up our craft time with snowflake cupcakes!

When we all got home from work and school it was time for presents.  Lots of folks sent gifts again this year.  She received packages from Grandma Heintz, Grandma Miller, Great Grandma Miller, Uncle Scott, Uncle Charles, Grandpa Marshall and Aunt Laura.  What a haul!!!

High on her wish list this year were things for her American Girl dolls - clothing, accessories, pets, whatever.  She seemed to want it all.  You might be able to tell from the pictures how much she liked her gifts.

  

Grandma Miller got her and her doll matching pajamas which were also a huge hit this year.

 

Her other most wished for items this birthday included white ice skates and an ice skating dress.  We got her the skates and Grandma Heintz handled the ice skating dress.  She was absolutely thrilled with both.

   

After presents, we treated her to her favorite dinner at Red Lobster where she is obsessed with cheddar bay biscuits and plain pasta with melted butter.  She ate almost a whole plate of pasta and 3 biscuits!  Then it was off to church for Awana.  I asked her if she wanted to skip, but she politely informed me that you just cannot skip God.

So, after Awana we all came home for a cake party, complete with candles and song of course.  What a great birthday this little one had.  I swear I am just not sure where the last 7 years have gone, but I sure look forward to many more!

  

JK Kid's Holiday Party

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Emily had a choice to make this year between my office kid's party and her gymnastics class.  I was a little surprised when she picked the JK party because she loves gymnastics so much.  But, off we went.  We ate pizza, made crafts, decorated sugar cookies and had a visit from Santa too!  She definitely enjoyed herself.  I think she was more than happy with her choice.

Birthday Lunch

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

They have a birthday lunch at BCS every month for all the kids who have birthdays that month. They have a special table for the birthday kids and parents can bring a special lunch for their child.  This year, Daddy was post-call so both Mommy AND Daddy got to come for birthday lunch.  Daddy brought Panera for Emily this year (her request) - grilled cheese and chips.

After lunch, each birthday child got a special popsicle (see below).  I swear those popsicles must be plated in gold the way they carry on about them.  Anyway, we had a nice lunch together and it was fun.  A good kick off for tomorrow's birthday celebrations.