Holiday Recap

[2brides]

How was the holiday? What did you do?

What gifts did the kids love? What weren't such big hits?

How about you? What did you get? Any surprises?

[twotrue]

How was the holiday? - Very nice. Christmas Eve day some friends from out of town came over for brunch. It was really nice to catch up with them and we told them about the pregnancy which was fun to do in person. Christmas Eve we had dinner with good friends and exchanged gifts with them. Then Christmas was just the three of us. I really loved how simple and easy it was.

What gifts did the kids love? - Her Dora suitcase. So Sunday we're walking through Sears and the kid sees a Dora suitcase. She proceeds to proclaim that she has to have it for her trip to Toronto. Then when we met Santa at the mall she walked straight up to him and told him about the suitcase. It was all she talked about Sunday and Monday. So needless to say, Santa made sure she woke up to find a Dora suitcase.

What weren't such big hits? - Before the suitcase she had been saying that she wanted a bird so Santa also brought her a small plush bird that chirps. That didn't really hold her interest at all.

How about you? My parents got me a latte maker that I really wanted. Too bad I'm trying not to drink decaf either. But I'll sell my current espresso maker (which I never use) and this will be a much better alternative for me.

K got me a diamond and chocolate diamond ring. I was very surprised! I was hoping for jewelry, just because there isn't a particular thing that I really needed/wanted but this was way beyond what I hoped for. And she's very happy with the camera lens and other smaller things that I gave her so I guess it was a great Christmas all around.

Oh and we told family about the pregnancy. It's still not FB official yet, as there are some people I want to tell in person, but at least family knows now. I think my parents have probably already bought their plane tickets out here for summer, they were so excited!

[2brides]

It was a nice low-key holiday. L and the kids came to work with me on Monday. While they have begged to come with me forever, being here for 4hrs was too long. We delivered the Christmas gifts, went home so L could bake, opened the family games (Just dance for the Wii and Brain Quest), went to our Mexican restaurant, and got the kids to bed on time. On Christmas Day, We stayed in our pjs all day, nibbled on snacks, and because the kids were so into their Santa gifts (unwrapped that they get when they get up) we didn't start unwrapping stuff under the tree until 1pm.

The biggest hit were Skylanders for the Wii. Carter loved some Ninjago Lego thing that Leanne spent an hour putting together. Grayson liked the Life of George game, but has a hard time doing it himself. I put the hotwheels tracks on the playroom wall, but they haven't really played with them at all. Perhaps once Skylanders wears off.

They had begged and begged for Nerf guns and we caved. But once they tried them and realized they don't have enough strength yet to do it, they were quickly put aside. Fine by us.

I got the things I asked Leanne for: alarm clock/docking station for beside my bed, orthotic slippers, and a Kindle (that I bought for myself) I was surprised by a...ahem...new item. :oops:

[Deleted]

The holiday was nice but felt lacking somehow. We spent Christmas Eve with J's family where we stayed up until midnight, opened gifts and went home. I slept about 6 hours then got up to put breakfast in the oven and make a pie to take to my dads house. The kids opened gifts, we ate, played a bit, got dressed and left for my dads where there was more gifts/food/playing. My 2.5 year old niece (my sisters dd) bit Apple's arm, yay for a Christmas day special incident report.



Loved gifts
Iz: kitchen and Dreamlite, A: camera and telescope/microscope set, Owl: tapping pegs, Apple: princess ride-on car

Meh gifts
Iz: science kit, A: mud clock, Owl: barbie (from our agency), Apple: most everything, she preferred playing in the box the kitchen came in.

I told J to wait until after the new year to exchange gifts, money has been tight, but she bought me a "grandma sweater" and a journal and keeps saying that she wanted to get me something that is expensive but is waiting because I said to wait. I couldn't give her the gift I wanted because I want to get her the customized Jordans she's been asking for.

[hensmum]

It was fun, tiring, and it's not quite over yet!

Henry has been having a ball, but is definitely due for a quiet day at home, which is what we're having today. We had our Xmas eve early at my mom's on Saturday, then on Monday hosted an open house here during the day. Then yesterday we had our nice morning at home, followed by lunch at one family house and dinner at another. Tons of food, lots of gift exchanging.

Henry really loves everything he got, and I'm happy because he got lots of clothes and books along with the toys. We got him a firefighter outlet that is definitely a hit.

C and I decided to exchange gifts this year with a low dollar limit. She bargain shopped and got me two dresses! I was completely surprised, and even more surprised that I love them! We need to exchange one for another size - but she did a great job She also got me one of those big griddle pans, so I can cook pancakes over two burners at once, which I can't wait to try.

A major highlight for me was our open house. I spent two days cooking, shopping and prepping, and it was really worth it. Henry loved having everyone here, and so did we. It was wonderful, and I think we'll have a holiday party every year now.

We have one more family party on Saturday, and then our holiday will finally be over!

[seattlekari]

My folks arrived on Sunday. We celebrated with my parents, my brother/SIL and A (first time together with all of my family for a holiday) on Christmas Eve since that was my time with E. On Christmas morning E opened her stocking things and then I took her Santa gifts and we went to her dad's. E opened all of her Santa items and stuff from her dad. After that I went home to just A. We had a quiet brunch together and finished cleaning up from the night before. Then we went to her place to be with her cats for the night. We had dinner at the awesome Indian place down the street and watched "Best in Show".

E got a lot of Lego Friends which she was REALLY excited about. She also got some new clothes that she loved and A got her a Polly Pocket helicopter that is very cool. Books always get less excitement initially, but she will enjoy reading them.

A and I had agreed to only do stockings...and she broke the rules and got me a really nice winter coat. She also put a note in my stocking that said she is going to pay for me to take an hour long flight class at the airstrip near where she works. She said she couldn't remember us agreeing to only stockings...then later she said she really likes doing nice things for me so I should just take it. Ok, ok, I will not complain.

[quinny]

How was the holiday? What did you do?

It was good. Really mellow, which was such a huge and nice change from previous years. We went to my sisters house Christmas Eve and had dinner/exchange with my family. It was good. Awkward, but fine.

Christmas we stayed home with N until about 2:30 opening gifts and playing (and napping) and then went to K's dads house and saw 2 of her sisters and 1 brother. We were only there for an hour or so. We skipped the big family party and had Thai on the couch. It was prefect. K's family has had some drama lately, it was so nice to skip it and relax. She is the youngest of 9, N is the youngest of 32 cousins. Christmas is a mad house.


What gifts did the kids love? What weren't such big hits?

N loved just about everything. He got a step2 rollercoaster from my sister, which he is crazy about. Too bad we haven't opened it yet He loves the box, though! He loves his train table and trampoline. He got way too much. We hid over 10 wrapped gifts and put away about 10 others to give him at later times in the year. There is no way he can play with all this stuff.

How about you? What did you get? Any surprises?

K surprised me with a vintage charm bracelet with 3 charms. One for how K and I met, one for N, and an outrigger, which I used to race in Hawai'i. I also got a new lens, a strap, a tripod and a class at a museum. My stepmother also surprised us with 3 very generous gift cards. I am still embarrassed by what we gave her.

[ct]

Dec 25, 2012 19:31:45 GMT -5 2brides said:

How was the holiday? What did you do?

It was good! And considering its been a weeks long shindig with Hanukkah, I'm A-mazed at how well the kids held up (though Daisy is currently inconsolable in her crib...). Hanukkah with the in-laws was wonderful and came at a perfect time for an escape. Sunday we kicked off celebrations with cookie baking, present wrapping, and a trip to a special holiday light show at a local amusement park. Christmas eve we went to church and the little girls lasted a solid 15 minutes in the service which is about 10 more minutes than I expected. And Sprout sat through the entire thing beautifully. After church we went to my parents house for cookies and the kids opened a couple gifts. Christmas Day we had a nice mellow family morning then went to my aunt's for dinner to see the fam.

Then today we got together with the kids baby sister (i forget my internet name for her, lol!) and her family and had an absolutely lovely time, as always. Squeezed and snuggled her to my heart's content. Still bittersweet...

What gifts did the kids love? What weren't such big hits?
They seemed to love all of their gifts, though the scooter and skateboard (which were the gifts they asked santa for) are kinda duds in winter in new england. I'm sure they will enjoy them come spring. Sprout's biggest hit was his leappad (he was shocked since we dont have any video games/tablets/electronic games/ect). RB loved the thomas train track set and Daisy loved...well, everything. She still didnt quite *get* the whole hoopla yet, but she will take any gift anyone wants to lob her way!

How about you? What did you get? Any surprises?
We didn't exchange gifts, aside from stockings.

My fave gift of the year was probably from Hanukkah...my Uncle (in law) got me a subscription to America's Test Kitchen magazine and I've already tried 3 of the recipes.

[tattooedmeegs]

How was the holiday? What did you do?
Christmas Eve we watched a Christmas movie or two, ate ham and mac & cheese for dinner (like we always did at Willy's), and then drove to a nearby park to see their lights. It snowed while we walked around, which was really beautiful. Then we put out cookies for Santa. Christmas morning we woke up and opened gifts, ate some cinnamon rolls, then headed to my parent's place. It was really nice.

What gifts did the kids love? What weren't such big hits?
Gwen LOVED her tricycle from my parents, and was a fan of her new hockey set. Not such a hit... Trav made her a Learning Tower, which I think she's going to get good use out of, but just looking at it she was not impressed.

How about you? What did you get? Any surprises?
I got a new iPhone (the 5! yay!), a ton of great books, two new bags, and some earrings. Everything was really great, and I'm so grateful! The best surprise was a craft Gwen and Trav made together. He took these round paper tags, which he had Gwen decorate, and then he attached them to earring hooks! I love them!

[bluedaisyus]

How was the holiday? What did you do? It was okay. We got in a fight on Christmas morning. That sucked. We went to my ILs' place on Friday and stayed through Sunday. Monday my wife worked. My sister came over late Christmas morning and my SIL came over for dinner and cards. We still have to go to my parents' on Saturday for a GTG with my family.

What gifts did the kids love? What weren't such big hits? He loved everything. He was especially fond of the jeans my SIL and her GF gave him ("PANTS?!"), which was hilarious, and the giant Buzz Lightyear.

How about you? What did you get? Any surprises? I got some kitchen stuff and and electric toothbrush and a Kohl's GC and crock pot that has 3 pots. My wife got me a treadmill, that was a surprise, but I've had it for a few weeks now.

[ElsaVonM]

I guess I didn't really answer these questions in my TTT post.

How was the holiday? What did you do?
It was fun. Christmas Eve we got together for appetizers and giant sub w/ my mom's side of the family, like we always do. Mostly just the kids got gifts but there were a few adult gifts too. On Christmas Day we had a more formal/fancy dinner with my dad's side of the family (lamb, scalloped potatoes, etc. - yum). (My grandparents all passed away in quick succession between 1998 and 2002, so it's all about the aunts, uncles and cousins now.) And after each of those parties we drove around and looked at Christmas lights with sleeping babies in the backseat, and I felt overwhelmed with happiness.

What gifts did the kids love? What weren't such big hits?
They aren't that picky at this age :-D But they particularly loved the musical stuffed seahorses my uncle picked out for them, and a musical pig my brother's girlfriend gave them. *I* particularly loved the wooden toys and handmade blankets they were given.

How about you? What did you get? Any surprises?
My brother got me stuff from Lush, and a super-soft t-shirt from Fish's Eddy. Jen bought me a copy of Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?. My sister has informed me that she made me "the most amazing gift ever," but we haven't exchanged presents yet so I can't vouch for that My BFF got me a Coach umbrella and wristlet. Both pink and green like a watermelon. Super fun and frivolous and sweet.