Now that it’s December 27th and we’ve made the rounds to all of the family members (Dan’s family; for me there’s nobody but my mom and my brothers), Christmas is officially over for us. Sad, but at the same time okay, since Christmas is expensive, time-consuming and stressful! Besides, there’s always next year to look forward to. 
I was up by 8:30am on Christmas morning. Not by choice, but because of the need for a shower, which I knew I wouldn’t get in if I waited for Alyssa and Ryan to get us up. I was no sooner done with my shower when I heard Ryan rocking in his room, so after I threw on some clean lounge pants (size 22/24!) and a hoodie I went in and changed his diaper, then woke Alyssa up (sidenote: isn’t it evilly delicious to wake up a kid who normally wakes you up? Bwahahaha!) and informed her that it was Christmas morning.
Commence with the frantic and excited unwrapping of presents. (With the exception of Dan, who didn’t want the Blu-ray player I picked up for him last month. *cry*)
In the afternoon we made the hour drive to Dan’s maternal aunt’s house. We enjoyed an early dinner of sandwiches (turkey or ham; I had a small slice of turkey and a slice of swiss cheese, sans bread), potato salad (oh so yummy!) and chips and other snacks (I also skipped those), and exchanged gifts, of course. Dan’s brothers were also there, and they gave us our presents then, even though they would be coming back to our house for their presents and a late dinner.
I was in bed before midnight last night, and had to turn off an episode of a House just twenty minutes in, because I couldn’t keep my eyes open anymore. Call it a combination of tired and the effects of about 1/4th of a white gummi bear (god was that delicious!).
Saturday flew by quick! I was up by 9:00am, and showered, dressed and out the door by 10:30am. I made a quick stop at Target for dry-erase markers and chalk (for the Crayola easel Alyssa and Ryan received for Christmas), and then made the hour drive to where I’d be picking up my brothers from their foster parents. We got back around 1:00pm, and my mom made gingerbread houses with them, made lunch for all four kids, and let them play video games until it was time to leave (by 3:45pm). We also took a few quick shots in front of our Christmas tree. It was SO nice having BOTH of my brothers with us, and in my house instead of cooped up in a visiting room with a social worker checking on us every little bit.
Dan left work a little before 5:00pm so we could make it to his paternal uncle and aunt’s house around 6ish for dinner. Ham sandwiches, a cheesy hashbrown casserole and green beans were on the menu. I had a small taste of a ham, a few bites of the hashbrowns and two spoonfuls of green beans, and a nibble of an inch sized square of fudge for dessert. We also exchange gifts (of course), and then out came the Wii games. The Wii Fit didn’t interest me too much, but Super Mario Bros.? OMG. I MUST get that game tomorrow. I played it with Dan’s brother K and sister K for at least half an hour, and only parted with my controller because Alyssa was dying to have a turn. Tomorrow I’m hoping to grab a copy of that game for us!
So… that was Christmas. Alyssa and Ryan received very nice gifts from everyone, and Dan and I received gift cards, which are always nice. For each other… well, if the pictures aren’t enough of an indicator, I received a spiffy, high-end vacuum sealer (to replace the craptabulous Rival one I’ve been battling with for over a year), a diamond & sapphire necklace, and a Sephora gift card (not pictured). I gave Dan a Blu-ray player which we’ll be returning, and a nice set of wine goblets. I also gave him two tickets to an All That Remains concert, but that was several weeks ago, since the concert was on December 21st!
And… that about wraps up this blog entry. Goodnight everyone!
So because I’m curious, why didn’t Dan want the Blu-Ray?
LOL, Amy got to it first! Why didn’t he want it? But it sounds like you had a great Christmas all in all.
(At least you didn’t get snowed in like we did. LOL)
Looks like your family had a great Christmas!
I’m with Amy, why didn’t he want the blu-ray?
It looks like you had a good Christmas. The kids are getting so big! I am glad you got to spend some time with your brother’s alone, it must eb ncie to not feel like your being watched.
Wow, I’ve been out of the loop! You look great Jen! I’m glad that you had an awesome Christmas. I’m with everyone else too, why didn’t he want the Blu-Ray?! Those things are awesome!!
I got a friend whose little boy and girl both have each of that dry erase/chalk boards. They have so much fun with them. Damn you cleaned up pretty well with the gifts. I opted out of getting myself anything since well i’m always getting things for myself all during the year. The pup did pretty well with the gifts tho. Congrats on the weight loss. Looking good.
Your Christmas sounds a lot like mine. Lots of traveling. I vote for a Christmas week next year. Why do we have to cram all the Christmas festivities into 2 short days?! But seriously, sounds like you all had a great time. Seeing your post just made me sad to realize that though I did manage to take some video of my little guy opening gifts, I don’t think I took any photos.
Actually he still has some gifts left, so I’ll have to be sure to break out he camera for those.
Aww it looks like a lovely Christmas! I love your photos!!