HO HO HO

Santa came to visit. It's almost 2 am, and this needs to be quick and dirty. Expect my next post to be jam packed with wittiness and hilarity. It may or may not involve a dance-off, charades, and a slow-mo photo of me kicking a battery out of Lance's hands. This post is only for the sake of recording Christmas for Beezie and future posterity. Ho Freaking Ho. Let's move, people!


Christmas Eve, we hosted a Taste of Italy buffet at our place. Fun and tasty. I likes doing this. I think I'll make it a tradition. I especially liked it when strangers at the store noted my Italian items, and asked me if my party was because I'm Italian. To quote Chandler Bing, could I be any more Scandinavian looking?? I just like carbs. Sue me.

I did a baked ziti and people brought spaghetti, chicken picata, some GF Olive Garden knockoff that was outstanding, and other assorted Italian favorites.

All of the children acted like they had never seen bread before. It's pretty much the only thing any of them ate.


The next morning we all slept in. We have routinely been sleeping until an unmentionable hour (but only because it will anger all of you) every morning as a family. It's been heavenly. Little Lady rolled out of her crib with some serious bedhead.

Santa had left a little stroller with a brand new baby in it for Beezie. She was delighted beyond measure--it was the runaway hit of the day.

First up, we did stockings. This is our family tradition--each person takes a turn taking an item out before we rotate to the next person. When we were little, we spent Christmas with a family, and they all dumped their stocking out at once, and opened all of their gifts like wild animals. We were horrified.





B was excited to have the dog gate removed so she could move in on Santa. I'm surprised he still has a candle and/or head attached. A delicate flower she is not.

Since we got a new heater and sprung for A/C, we went small for each other. I got Lancer some giftcards (Amazon and iTunes), a personalized photo calendar, and other assorted goodies. I got an electric can opener. This may seem like a lameski gift, but it's not. Let's not forget that I cook in big batches, and in doing so, I open about 20 cans at a time. Lancer had to "help" me with the cans for my white chicken chili at the cookie party, and TA-DA, an electric can opener showed up on my doorstep. By help I mean he complained the entire time, and begrudgingly cranked open the tin cans for me, while complaining of hand cramps.

Donnie was kind enough to spring for some vintage NKOTB comic books from the 80's. I'm going to write in and ask for the Magic Summer jacket advertised in the back just to see if it shows up. Wish me luck!

Beezie caught on quickly, just like she did on her birthday. Wrapped gifts equals booty for her. She wasted no time getting to the goods. Naturally, she had to try and crawl in the box.



Playing with her new play food. She follows us around the house naming the food. Banana? Banana? Banana?


After presents, we feasted on holiday breakfast and my homemade cocoa. I love holiday breakfast, because it has everything you need. It's like an omelet on top of hash browns. Mmm. I've been eating it for breakfast all week long.

Beezie approved

While those two snoozed the day away, I was busy in the kitchen. I did a glazed ham, cheesy potatoes, cranberry Jell-o dish, corn pudding, and a GF chocolate cake.

We went over to The Andersen's for a low-key dinner. On the way in my boot caught on their sidewalk, and I went down HARD. Like split my crockpot clean in half hard. Thankfully, a replacement insert is only $15. Now that I have my electric can opener, I'm unstoppable. I can't let a broken crockpot get me down.

The Spread

The complete meal

I made Brooke's "secret" cheesy potatoes. Halfway through dinner, I realized they're just freaking funeral potatoes. Nice try, Brooke! Still delicious, of course, but let's call a spade a spade.

After dinner, the kids played until a record 11 pm. Beezie loved Kai's new picnic table. Naturally she sat on top, and tried to jump off.

The mini-tramp is always a big hit

Thanks to our fabulous family and friends! We had such a fun and relaxing Christmas Eve and Christmas Day--minus the bruised knees, scraped hand, and broken crockpot. Till next year, everyone! Merry Christmas to all...and to all a goodnight!