Christmas

So....
Claire was off school the whole week of Christmas. We baked, played and prepped for the long two weeks ahead. It was nice to have both kids around to hang out with...we don't do that as often now that Claire is in school all day long.
On Christmas Eve our family opened presents from each other. Claire and Landon each received toys from each other and Mom and Dad got various gifts too! Then we went to our friends, the Symons'. We opened more presents and then enjoyed a yummy dinner together. We also all went to Christmas Eve service at church together before calling it a night.
Christmas morning the kiddos woke up to Santa presents galore, each of them getting the Nintendo DS's they'd asked for, as well as other loot! As soon as each present was looked over, we packed up in the truck and drove to my parent's house. We did Christmas with them, Unkie, Staci and Uncle Frank that evening. Silly Santa even made a visit! We spent the next couple of days playing, riding Barney and watching it snow.
We went to Geoff's parent's house Saturday evening, and celebrated Christmas with them and the Hooper's. We spent several days in Wichita so the cousins could play, as well as visiting with friends we hadn't seen in a while.
We came home the day before New Year's Eve. Cleaning, laundry, putting away toys, and then prepping for a New Year's Eve party filled the next day. We hosted a party with the Symons' on New Year's Eve. It was all neighbors, and the kiddos were invited too (this was interesting). It was a great time, and a great group to ring the New Year in with.
You would think that January 1st would finally include some down time, but instead Landon was up early. So I took down Christmas, and had it pretty much done before Geoff even rolled out of bed. Yesterday evening we watched the Hokie's finally win a bowl game (Go VT!!), and then slept in this morning.
It's beautiful in Bentonville today, so we went to the mall and the park and took Ranger rides. I am now tired reliving our last two weeks, but smiling in the midst because of the good times with family and friends. That's what this season is all about! I will be adding pics as soon as it's finished importing...300 at once takes awhile!