Christmas Eve with my parents

Christmas Eve is always my favorite.  There's always a big let down Christmas Day, there's all of this hype and then all of the sudden it's over and there's a sadness to the day.  Not to mention the kids get stir crazy and your house becomes a disaster zone of toys and destruction, too much sugar consumption, and fatigue from helping the big guy the night before.  So Christmas Day is actually not my favorite, but Christmas Eve, now Christmas Eve is special!  Plus I like to take Christmas Eve to focus more on the Savior and his birth, so it's really a wonderful evening.

This year Shaun worked Christmas Eve, so I was about ready to pull my hair out by the time he got home, but thankfully he came before I blew a gasket, and we got ready and headed over to my parents for a lovely dinner, followed by time singing carols by the piano, and reading the Christmas Story from Luke 2.  The girls followed along and had a sticker nativity that they did while we read about each character in the story.  I think that was my favorite part of the evening.  

Playing Carols in the living room

But finally they couldn't wait any longer, and it was time for them to open their gifts from Nana and Papa.  We also had a few small things for Nana and Papa to open.

 Ella got a big pony from Papa.  She's still working on a name for her.  It changes daily.

 Amelia got a beautiful doll.  She was so excited when she opened it and said, "I've always wanted a doll."

 Here they are showing their gratitude with great big hugs for nana.

 Papa also got Ella a Dinosaur Encyclopedia and she wanted to read it right then and there.  She loved it!

 Amelia also got  a train and she absolutely LOVED it!  That's what she chose to sleep with that night even over the doll.  She's so cute!

 Alex had a very simple Christmas.  He simply enjoyed being loved, and really, what's better than that?

 Nana got the girls purses from Frozen!  Excellent choice!

 And they both got puzzles!  They say 5+ for age but my mom and I had a difficult time putting it together.  It's either for gifted five year olds or my mom and I are a little slow.  It was still fun though.

 Alex is getting so big.  He's definitely my best Christmas gift ever!

2014 Polar Express Christmas Party

This year Shaun was the MC for our Church Christmas Party.  The theme was The Polar Express, so technically he was the train conductor.  He was so excited and played his part with gusto.  Everyone loved him!  The "train" aka cultural hall first took us to the North Pole where Santa was waiting, and then we headed to Bethlehem to see the Christ Child.  Along the way we enjoyed dinner and the musical talents of our ward family.  There were some beautiful numbers as well as some fun ones!  All said and done it was a wonderful evening!

Nana turns 30 for the 39th time!

My sisters were supposed to fly in for an evening with my mom, but that ended up not working out when my oldest sister called and said she was too sick to make it.  It was unfortunate in many ways because I was really looking forward to time with three women who have had a huge influence on my life: my mom and two big sisters; but life happens, and for them it was probably best to be able to stay with their families during this very busy holiday season.  So I'm the lucky one because I don't have to fly in to have an afternoon with my mom.  I took a day off of work and she and I went out to celebrate at the Cheesecake Factory!  It was really nice to have one of the only times without any of my kids (unless you count when I'm at work which totally DOES NOT count).  We strolled through the mall, also something I never do, and we enjoyed a yummy lunch and even better company!  I love this lady who is so giving of herself and her talents and energies.  I can't believe she's 69!  I hope we have many more years of celebrating with her to come, but I'm aware my parents aren't getting any younger.  I know they have various ailments.  My mom is relatively healthy but she's frequently tired.  She's still a lot of fun though.  We really enjoyed our afternoon together!  So happy birthday to my most favorite mom who loves me and my kids unconditionally.  Thanks for all you do!

Alex's Blessing Day and other adventures with Grandpa

 Grandpa C came out for Alex's blessing this weekend.  It was so wonderful to have him here.  He is such an easy going and helpful person.  He and Alex have similar dispositions, and they have the exact same eye color.  Here's Alex on his blessing day with Grandpa holding him.

Shaun gave a beautiful blessing.  My mom was able to write down some of the specific things he said, but I focused more on the spirit of it, and I truly felt that Alex is a precious spirit with a lot of love to give to others.  Shaun said something about him serving those in need, and I thought that was so very perfect since I've had that sense about him too.  I look forward to reading my mom's poem soon that she wrote after taking notes.  She does a beautiful job with poetry.

Those are three cute Earls right there!  I never thought I'd say it, but Earl is growing on me.  Okay, I still hate the actual name, but I love the legacy that goes with it.  Standing in the circle to bless Alex were six family members (seven with Shaun included), five were Calderwoods (my dad was the 6th), and four have the middle name Earl.  Pretty special!

After the blessing we had family to our home for a little Sunday brunch.  It was such a wonderful day spent with people that mean so much to us.  What a special day for our little Alex, even though he won't remember it (hence the photos, right?)

Both parents, although we were sad Pat couldn't come.  But having to choose for her to come now or right after he was born to help, I still think we made the right choice.  I just wish she could have come out twice.  Maybe next Spring or Summer?

 The whole East Coast Calderwood Clan

And our little family

While Grandpa was here we also did some other fun things.  We went to Gum Drop Square in Warrenton and the girls got to see Santa.  Here we are on the steps of Gum Drop Square, ready to go in to Santa's workshop!

We also just hung out around the house.  Grandpa fixed our lawnmower and whatever else he could find that was broken.  He helped Shaun put up a shelf in the laundry room, and he was just generally helpful, especially with holding and burping our little guy who needs lots of burping.

He played with the girls and enjoyed spending time with both of them.  He played cars with Amelia and let both of them hang on him... literally.

We also took one morning and went to I-HOP for brunch.  Grandpa even paid.  

This happy guy was sad to see his grandpa go, but not as sad as the rest of us.  Shaun and I only wish it could have been longer, but we're grateful for whatever time we get with his family.  Who knows, maybe next summer we'll go visit them (if we can afford four plane tickets).

Home for the Holidays

O' there's no place like home for the holidays.... It took all week, but we finally finished decorating our home in time for Grandpa C's visit the first weekend in December.  Decorating the house is a lot of work, but I usually look forward to it.  My mom and I always had so much fun decorating during the holidays, and it brings back so many good memories.  As long as good holiday music is playing in the background, there's really no better way to spend an evening in my opinion.

So here's our home, 2014!  We didn't change much from the year before, just minor things, but it came together very nicely.

During the day and evening

 This is one of my favorite views, and I can look at it often because it's the view from the couch where we spend a lot of our time.  Sigh.  I love Christmas, all the twinkling lights, the smells, the sounds.  It's truly a beautiful time of year.

 But one of my favorite things about this holiday season is seeing my children understanding the true meaning of Christmas.  I found this letter in Ella's backpack one day.  She obviously wasn't done writing it, but it's precious to me.  She understands WHY we celebrate this special season, something it's easy to forget when it's become so commercialized.  HE is the reason, HE is the gift.  I was grateful that at least on some level my six year old understands that.  I'm looking forward to a wonderful holiday season, and I hope the special gift of our Savior's birth, his life, and his Atonement can stay close to my heart during this very exciting but busy time.

Thanksgiving, 2014

Thanksgiving this year was simple but wonderful!  We went to my parent's home for a lovely meal, and we helped by doing several of the sides.  It was a divide and conquer kind of day.  As much as I loved hosting last year in my new home, I was more than willing to be a guest this year with a new baby in tow, and two very busy little girls.  But it was a lovely evening.  Shaun played turkey ball that morning.  He came home very proud to show me the photo below of how absolutely dirty everyone got playing in the mud.

Then that Friday we were able to get together with dear friends for lunch.  Becca and her family were in town from Phillie, so we met up with them and our friend, Katie.  We had a great visit!  I love those girls and definitely could benefit from a little more time around them.  They are amazing!

And then Saturday we were off in search of the perfect Christmas tree.  This was the only photo I could snap of the girls before they were off and looking through all the various trees that were set up. Our third... or fourth... annual Christmas tree from Meadows farm.

Here our tree was once we got it home and all decorated!  Perfection!!  Now to decorate the rest of the house.

Family Photo Shoot, Fall 2014

Our friend, Stephanie Layton, took these photos for us this November and we were so pleased with how they turned out.  So here you go, Calderwood Family, 2014