christmas time!

Christmas is over. Just like that.  It's time to take down the decorations, clean up the mess of wrapping paper, and get back to the gym after 3 days of excessive turkey and chocolate consumption. 

I'm always sad to see the end of the festive season. At least I can say that of all of the Christmases I've experienced in the course of my adult life, this year was certainly the best one yet.  

For starters, I wasn't working. That is a nice change from recent years in which December 25 was business as usual.  I finally had the opportunity to partake in all of the chaos and madness that is the holidays with family. It was the first entire Christmas Day that Ryan and I have ever spent together. It was the first time cramming in multiple family events in the course of only a few days. Most importantly, it was our first Christmas as parents.  That alone makes the holidays substantially more exciting.  

On Christmas Eve we headed to Ryan's aunt and uncle's house for the annual turkey dinner.  It was a busy day filled with food, family, and children galore.  With Aaralee being born in September and her cousin Evan being born earlier this month, the number of grandchildren in the family has doubled this year, much to the delight of Ryan's parents... particularly his mom. 

Despite the 3 month age gap, Evan is almost as big as Aaralee already. She's got him beat in the cheeks department, but it won't be long before he's caught up to our petite little girl. 

 

After a long day it was time to head home to get some sleep before an even busier day to follow. Being that it was Christmas Eve, we read Christmas books to Aaralee and left out cookies and milk for Santa. He probably would have preferred chocolate chip (I know that I would have!) but all that we had in the house were Arrowroot. 

The next morning was Christmas! We lounged in bed for awhile because Aaralee had been so kind as to gift us with a little bit more sleep than she typically allows.  Once we finally descended to the main level we were thrilled to find that Santa had arrived and spoiled both Aaralee and our fur baby, Niko.

It wasn't long before the living room floor was littered with wrapping paper and noisy baby toys. Aaralee may have been oblivious to the entire process, but Ryan and I loved every minute of it.  

As far as presents go, I couldn't have asked for much more than what I already had.  That said, I was pretty excited to indulge in a breakfast of chocolate from my stocking.  

Once we were showered and ready, it was off to Ryan's sister's house, where we had a roast beef lunch and the kids exchanged gifts. Aaralee was spoiled, yet again.  Next on the agenda was to drive to Red Deer to celebrate with my side of the family.  I was thrilled for turkey dinner number two. Between both families it was a long and busy day, but I wouldn't have had it any other way.

Getting our overtired and overstimulated baby to bed that evening was a bit of a challenge. There had been far too much excitement for her to take in. She finally fell asleep for the night at 1:30 am, much to this tired mama's relief.  

As adults who have no need for any excess junk to occupy space in our house, Boxing Day was far less of a thrill than it had been in our younger years. We did, however, have yet another turkey dinner awaiting us with some more of Ryan's (large) family.  We ate, we visited, and Aaralee was passed around for cuddles.  When it was time to go home I was sad to see the Christmas festivities end, but relieved to be home where we could relax and catch up on sleep. 

Farewell Christmas, until we meet again next year!