This year, we celebrated our first Christmas at home, and it was perfect. So what... some of the decorations never made it out of the box, and large sections of our outdoor lights never worked, but Santa still found us, and we were still able to throw a great birthday party for Baby Jesus. Grammy and Pop-Pop came to join us for Christmas, and then we headed to Richmond for New Year's to ring in 2011 promptly at 8pm on New Year's Eve, toddler-style.
Of course we made the obligatory visit to Santa before the holiday arrived. He came to Primrose, the boys' school, and we met him for breakfast in early December. I was coaching Gunnar on the way in as to what to say to Santa. I was explaining that he needed to ask Santa for what he wanted for Christmas. So Gunnar walked in the room, got within about 3 feet of Santa, looked him straight in the eye, and exclaimed, "Bulldozer!" Santa was a bit taken aback by the approach but then laughed and agreed to comply with Gunnar's request. Of course there was no chance of getting a picture with both boys smiling at the same time...
And then we made a trip to Kiawah for the half-marathon this year, a voyage we regretfully skipped last year, so we were back again in 2010. The race itself was cold and rainy, but Erik set his own course record, and Gunnar's godmother, Anne, and I were just happy to finish. Here is our Christmas picture under the big tree at The Sanctuary.
In preparation for the holiday, Gunnar helped me make cookies. He enjoyed licking the marshmallow fluff for my rum and coke cookies, and I enjoyed drinking the rum.
All of that baking wore Gunnar out.
In the meantime, Levi was practicing scooting around and playing peekaboo.
We were so excited when Grammy and Pop-Pop arrived! Grammy made Levi a stocking...
And Pop-Pop made him his 1st ornament, one to match his big brother's.
Grammy brought her famous gingerbread cookies and let Gunnar help decorate.
And Pop-Pop kept the boys up on all of the latest football games.
I kept Nan's tradition going and made a stollen.
We went to a special children's service at our neighbor's church and got to see a very entertaining nativity reenactment, though Gunnar was more excited about lighting the candles for Silent Night. And then we came home to a delicious Swedish meatball dinner, courtesy of Erik and Grammy. And then we were ready for Christmas!
Christmas morning, we woke up to a Santa wonderland!
Gunnar loved helping everyone open their gifts, and Levi loved trying to eat the ribbon.
Santa came through with a bulldozer for Gunnar, as well as more than we could have imagined. He had a blast playing, and even got dressed up in Winx's apron to help serve breakfast.
Christmas night, we feasted on a delicious turkey dinner with all the traditional sides. Fortunately, our efforts in getting my Christmas china out helped hide the fact that I never got a tablecloth on the table.
Christmas day ended with a beautiful snowfall, leaving us plenty of fun to be had for the rest of our visit with Grammy and Pop-Pop.
