Merry Christmas!

This Christmas season was probably the most fun we have ever had. Joshua really is beginning to understand what is going on, and was really excited about everything. In the days leading up to the big day, he wanted to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus every morning.

We were able to create some really happy memories, like decorating Christmas cookies (which he still talks about putting “nummy nems” (translation - m&m’s) on the cookies), decorating our Christmas Tree and singing Christmas carols (jingle bells was by far the favorite - especially the “HEY!” part). This season started Joshua’s obsession with Christmas trees. He still talks about them. When he stacks Legos, he is making a Christmas tree. When he piles up the wood chips at the park, he’s making a Christmas tree, when he sees a tree that had lights on it at Christmas time, he reminds me that was a Christmas tree. I think you get the picture.

We celebrated Christmas with the Duncans/Bangos on the Saturday before Christmas to help take some of the stress off of Christmas (it’s hard to have three separate families to get together with in the span of a day and a half!). It was a really fun evening. Josh got to play with Jacob again, and we got to get the babies together (which they didn’t care too much, but give them a year or two). Grandma made a prime rib (yummy!) and we all hung out and stuffed ourselves silly.

When Christmas Eve finally rolled around, Joshua and Ben gave Mommy and Daddy the best Christmas present ever.... they both sat through an hour long church service without so much as a peep. It was amazing. Josh loves to tell us that he went to “Big Church” since he usually goes to Sunday school, or “Little Church” when we are in service. He also remembers that “after the music is over, you get a treat” because we came stocked with goldfish crackers and cookies to help keep him entertained (Momma ain’t no fool!).

After church we went out to Grandma and Grandpa B’s for dinner and presents. Although it was an extremely hectic and stressful evening (the family has added four, almost five, grandchildren in the last 2 ½ years, so there are now many more people to try to cram into a small room), the kids had a good time opening presents and playing with their cousins. Hopefully we can work something better out for next year. I was kind of bummed that I didn’t get to watch my kids open their presents, and couldn’t even thank the family members for what they specifically got them because I had no idea. But overall, it was a good night.

After we got home, we put cookies out for Santa, and the next morning, Josh was amazed that Santa ate his cookies. Then we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus (again) and opened our presents as a family. Later that morning, Grandpa Maple and the rest of the Maple clan came over for breakfast. It was great to be able to spend the whole day at home instead of running all over town!

All in all, I have to say, it was the best Christmas ever! Be sure to check out our pictures!