My Christmas...
...was full of babies,


and small people,
(it's a good thing my niece got a vacuum for Christmas, because these get-togethers are always so messy. ๐ )
candles,
present-opening at other people's houses,
and at our own,
cinnamon rolls,
a fancier table than usual,
(my poor neglected china doesn't see the light of day very often)
yummy, not-traditional Christmas food,
and a serious session of silly-face-making during dinner.
I hope your celebration was delightful too. ๐
(Details about some of the presents we bought for the kids will be in a forthcoming post. I just didn't want to make this one too long!)
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Joshua's 365 post: I do this every year...



















Looks like you had a great Christmas. My family enjoys the sparkling grape juice too! The kids get a kick out of drinking it in fancy glasses while wearing their paper crowns from their Christmas crackers.
Sounds lovely! Ours was also full of children, delicious food, a toy vacuum, and good times! Thank you for sharing!
http://amysreallife.wordpress.com
Great pics, Kristen. I so miss little kids at Christmas! It's quiet when your youngest is almost 16. :)!
You have to at least tell us what Joshua was SO excited about ๐
Oh, that was his waterproof camera cover. I'll tell you a little more about it in a future post! And I'm sure you'll see underwater photos on his blog too.
Wow, that last picture of Lisey looks just like you! Looks like a fun Christmas was had by all! ๐
Gee, I'm so complimented by that, I just don't know what to say. ๐
It looks like everyone had a great time! Happy Holidays Kristen to you and yours.
I like your china. Mine doesn't get to see much use but I did buy a pretty hutch last year around Christmas to display it all year. Thanksgiving and East are usually when they get to come out and visit. I bought the set from Salvation Army. I waited patiently for a month because they mark it down by 50%. I went in so the 92 piece set was now $45. I offered $35 and she turned me down and I turned around to walk away and she relented! I was being very frugal and tough. Just a little frugal story to enlighten your day.
Easter*
Oh and the hutch was a Craigslist find. There isn't much "new" stuff in my house. That would not be near as much fun as treasure hunting!
Your kids are so good looking!
I like your china! I try to use our wedding china more than two or three times a year. Sometimes it is fun to celebrate birthdays or other special ocassions with china.
Looks like you had a lovely celebration together! And your four Little Ones, Kristen, are suddenly looking ... well, not so little anymore!
Did Joshua fold the origami tree? That looks like such a fun project ๐
Lisey actually folded that. Isn't it cute?
And yeah, I know...my little crew is getting to be awfully big these days.
I did a double-take when you posted the photo of Zoe up, Kristen. She looks SO mature and SO big. They're growing up so fast!
I really want to put a caption on that picture of Joshua holding up his glass but I can't think of anything clever enough. Also, I can see he is getting good at avoiding sister-hugs. ๐
I'd love to see instructions on how to make that origami Christmas tree!
A lovely post. You have a beautiful family. I couldn't believe it when I saw your lovely china. My friend has a set just like it. She keeps it in the cabinet, but it comes out on special occasions.
We have the same china pattern! What excellent taste you have. ๐
Ours also doesn't see the light of day very often but we did pull it out for Christmas. It's important to try to civilize my children every so often.
I just came here to post that I have the same china as well! Although mine was a hand-me-down family gift after my grandma passed away. I love it nonetheless! Many memories have been had over that set and many more to come!
Your celebrations look delightful!
Interestingly, strawberries *are* a traditional Christmas food here in New Zealand, with it being summer and all. ๐
What a lovely set of photos xx
Looks like a great christmas was had by all xx
OMG! You and I have the same China pattern! I received mine for Christmas in 1998....