christmas 2014

We had a lovely Christmas. Aside from a small detour with Ted getting strep throat, it was really, really great. Just like Thanksgiving, both of our family's were all home. Twice in a year is pretty impressive. 

Monday night we watched Elf and slept "under the tree" (in the living room) with the tree lights on. We tried this a few years ago and it was a disaster. So we decided to give it a whirl this year again. Everyone made it except Ben - he went upstairs about 4am because he was on an air mattress on the floor which isn't awesome for his back. We all might have been secretly thankful because he was snoring quite a bit!

We traditionally open presents as a family on Christmas Eve morning and then go to New Martinsville after Ben plays at both Christmas Eve Services. Ted woke up sick Christmas Eve morning. I suspected strep. He opened presents from the couch and then we hit up urgent care. He did indeed have strep so we got 24 hours of antibiotics in him before traveling. The kids and I stayed home all Christmas Eve. Ben led worship and came home to eat Chinese with us.

Sophie gave Ben a picture of me from our wedding. She found it in some box somewhere and wrapped it up for him. Hilarious!

Ted got my old iPhone to use as an iPod. Sophie got an easel. We are taking them snow tubing after the New Year and also got them coupons for many fun family adventures and dates with to do with us. It was a fun gift and one we can spread out. I'm excited about it. They were thrilled with it.

We traveled over the river and through the woods to get to New Martinsville on a rainy Christmas morning. They stayed in their pj's so it would be the same as if they were actually waking up at Doh & John Pap's like we usually do.

 

Sophie got a "spa set" from Ted that included various lotions, bath and hand soaps, a loofah and sleep mask. Big hit.

Isaac was there when we got there. It's always fun to have a baby around on Christmas morning!

Ted got spy glasses - one of his favorite gifts. A 9 year old's dream gift.

 

Headbands and boots - the girl was in heaven.

 

 One of my favorite traditions is that my family comes to have Christmas lunch with Ben's family. We've done it every year we've been married. I think the only year we haven't was the year Ted was born and we didn't go home at all. It's a lovely tradition that I know a lot of family's couldn't or wouldn't do. I'm glad we do.

Henry (and his parents) came after lunch. So we helped him open his presents. These babies are so fun!

The dad's put together the new toys and they all played for awhile.

Then Ted videoed Isaac and showed it to him. It was hilarious for everyone involved.

 I love this picture!

In the mid-afternoon we transition to my parent's house and the Slider family Christmas.

My brother made 10 pounds of (really big) shrimp in his cooker thing. We did this last year too and it is awesome! It's officially tradition.

Aunt Belinda got Sophie this sweet dress.

The grandkids played Left, Right, Center with quarters. Uncle Charlie and Uncle Todd sweetened the pot with $5 each. Sophie walked away with $15. So glad we are teaching them to gamble young.

The grandkids minus Reed. He didn't come because of our germs, which I totally understand.

My siblings:
Jay, Sara, me, Belinda, Charlie

Our cousins came out, too. We grew up with them. Love them so much!

Brandi, Sara, me, Charlie & Jeremy

I spent a little time with Reed the day after Christmas. He's pretty cool.

 

We went out to Aunt Did's store and Sophie picked out a new jewel for her bracelet. She paid for half with her gambling winnings.

 

And then she hung out with my brothers fox or some other sort of animal that's been hanging in his room forever.

Now that Sophie has new boots, we have a totally matching outfit. She thinks it's the coolest ever. 

We went to see my Pennsylvania family yesterday. The kids had a gift exchange and got this sack race game. It was a beautiful 60 degree day which was so great to play outside.

 The big kicks played Ted's new Battleship game.

 We are home for the day and Ben made some cookies he meant to make before Christmas. Not that anyone needs anymore junk. I'm eating nothing but salad for about a month.

It was really a fun Christmas. Everyone got really thoughtful gifts. I'm taking Ben to a festival in Pittsburgh and Courtney and Andy are going too. My parents are doing some fun adventures with the kids. My in-laws are taking the kids to see the play Willy Wonka in Morgantown next week. The kids gave each grandparent a gift card to their favorite restaurant to take them on dates sometime in the neat future.  We got a few games that we can play together as a family. 

I really loved the time we got to spend with each of our families. We did play a lot of Trivia Crack this week, too. You know, quality family time playing each other on your phones.  Merry Christmas!