CHRISTMAS!!!!

Christmas is, by far, my favorite time of year. I love the music, the decorations, the food, the treats, the tree, and the traditions. Growing up, we had the best traditions. Of course, I'm partial since it's my family, but they really are the best! All of our Christmases as a married couple have been spent with my family, wherever they were living. Even last year with a brand new baby. But, this year we decided to stay home for Christmas. So, that meant all my favorite traditions from the Brown family Christmases past had to be duplicated this year! I swear, I don't know how my mom did it for so many years, and still does it! I'm exhausted! But it was worth it! And we'll totally do it again and again!

To start everything off, we got a real Christmas tree (as you saw the day after Thanksgiving). Everything was decorated and ready in time for December. Then it was cookie and candy making galore. Cammie and Shaina came over one day and we baked ALL day so we could have some goodies to give to our friends. Of course, since we gave most of the hard work away, I had to make lots more for us! I made so much, that some of the cookies went stale before we could even eat them! And I didn't even make as many varieties as my mom does!

The Tuesday before Christmas, we had a wonderful pre-Christmas dinner at my grandparents house with Shaina and Jeff. Thanks Grandma! It was delicious! Then, Christmas Eve was finally here. This is where the traditions really begin.

Here is Steve (yes that's a track suit!!) being mischievous by the tree!

And again, mischievously climbing on the presents!

Every Christmas Eve, for as long as I can remember, we have always had Turkey soup and cranberry muffins (way yummy). Of course, my mom always made it and she used the turkey bone from Thanksgiving. Well, I was grossed out about saving our turkey bone, so we decided to improvise and I made the exact same soup (celery and all!) except with a rotisserie chicken instead. It was as close as you can get, and very tasty. We had Jeff and Shaina over for this yummy meal and we all ate plenty of cranberry muffins...mmmmm. Now, traditionally in the Brown family, after dinner we would all gather around the piano and sing silly (and some serious) Christmas songs, and then have various kids add their musical instrument to the mix. When we were younger, all day Christmas Eve was spent preparing for the Brown kids rendition of the Nativity while dad read it, but as we got older, it sort of turned into a recital. Either way, we decided that Steve was too young to act out the Nativity, and nobody felt like singing or playing, so we decided to open some presents instead! This is a tradition that the Brown family NEVER took part in! We used to beg and plead for days and days to open just one present on Christmas Eve, and I think the parents caved like 2 times ever! So, ha ha! Since Jeff and Shaina were with us, we exchanged gifts with them and also opened the gifts Grandma and Grandpa Brown gave us.

Jeff and Shaina gave Steve Honey Comb cereal! It's his favorite snack that is always in Shaina's bag when she comes over! He loved it!


Grandma and Grandpa Great gave Steve a book, which he loved, and some stacking cups. Thanks so much! They were a hit!

After a very exciting Christmas Eve, it was time for Jeff and Shaina to go home, and we settled down for a relaxing night. All of the presents were wrapped and under the tree, dishes were done, and Steve was sleeping soundly. So, what do Jesse and I do?! I finished the third book in the Twilight series while Jesse tried to beat his high score in Wii golf. By about 2:00am he'd finally kicked his high score's butt, and I was about done with my book. So we finally made it to bed...only to be awoken bright and early on Christmas morning!

But, then the fun really began!

First, we emptied our stockings. Steve LOVED his mini-M&Ms! And yes, I let him eat some at 8:00 in the morning!

Then it was time for presents...

Grandma Meri sent Steve a cute dancing bug toy, that makes noise (thanks Mom!!) and Steve loved it.

We got Steve a fire truck he could ride...that was definitely a hit! Unfortunately, I didn't realize when I bought it that it too makes noise! (For those of you who are unaware, until this Christmas, we own zero toys that make noise...I cannot stand them!) Of course Steve loves the noise, so I can learn to live with 2! We also got Steve some PJs and some Little People (the old school kind). He loved it all!

My dad sent Jesse a wireless Ipod thing (??) that makes it possible to (wirelessly) play the Ipod through our speaker system. The speaker system that my dad gave us when they moved several years ago and then helped Jesse set up recently. Thanks dad! It's great!

My mom sent me some books! 2 children's books that are some of my favorites, and a photoshop book! Yay! I also got 2 gift cards from my parents...thanks guys!!

And, last but not least, Jesse got me a ring that matches my wedding band. I was 100% completely surprised, and I LOVE IT! He had taped it inside a dvd cover...such a good disguise! Oh, and he had totally reverse-reverse psychologied me the whole week before Christmas. I was truly clueless! I do, however, have the best husband ever!! I love you Jess! He also got me some things for the kitchen, which I also loved! Thanks hun!

After opening all our presents, I made orange rolls (WAY yummy!) while Jesse cleaned up all the wrapping paper. Then, we got to talk to my brother Brad who called from his mission in Portugal! It was very exciting!

But wait, there's more! Jesse's sister, Miriam, and her fam came over, along with Jesse's parents and we all exchanged gifts. Thank you all for your sweet gifts! Christmas dinner was next...and it was good! Along with Marcus, Miriam, their kids, and Jesse's parents, Jeff and Shaina came over and we had our friends Matt and Angeline and their kids over. We ate ham and cheesy potatoes, Shaina made very yummy rolls, green beans and cherry sauce. Then we had tons of Christmas cookies for dessert! Then we all played lots of games and had lots of fun! What a very Merry Christmas we had!

We so enjoyed getting all of your Christmas cards, and hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! Now, bring on the New Year!