Yet again, this year we found the anticipation leading up to Christmas felt so much longer than the time to actually celebrate truly one of the most wonderful times in a year. Even through the frigid temperatures here in Minnesota, we were able to force ourselves outside to prepare for gatherings with friends and family. Since my last real post was December 4, I will just do a quick recap of our Holiday celebrations...
This was our first Christmas in our new home, so I had to take some time to consider where all of the Christmas decorations belonged. I quickly realized that we are now without a fireplace + hearth, so we had to get creative with that...we ended up hanging them up higher to remove the temptation for Claire so the stockings were hung somewhat haphazardly from the curtain rod. Gotta do what you gotta do...
The girls both helped 'trim the tree' - so most of our ornaments ended up in basically two sections on the lower 1/8 of the tree. It was beautiful once I fought everything in me that wanted to re-arrange them to be more evenly distributed.
December 8: the girls' daycare had a Christmas program for all ages to participate in. Claire did great being wheeled in down the center aisle - taking in all of the faces staring at her. Adi had a little bit of stage fright and burst into tears early in the walk down the same aisle, and ended up watching her friends sing the songs she had rehearsed for us. I felt for her and we tried not to make it a big deal. Maybe next year she'll be a little more prepared for what happens at a Christmas program.
December 14: attended an 'ugly Christmas sweater party' for which we had a difficult time procuring said sweaters of the ugly nature and ended up with some ladies fleece winter apparel. There is a picture of the hubs wearing his sleeveless fleece (without an undershirt), but I still cannot bring myself to post it anywhere 'on the line' as he would say - just seems like only bad things would come of it.
December 15: Christmas celebration with my side of the family (my Mom and Sister) at our house. We made cookies, danced to classic Christmas tunes, and opened gifts together.
Claire drumming away - without any instruction
A + Grandma wearing their matching robes
Claire with her new backpack to match her big Sis...
...which apparently made her unable to walk
after about 15 outtakes, I settled for this one...girl's gotta eat!
Adilyn with her new kitchen!
December 21: Christmas celebration at G+G Powers house. We relaxed, ate great food, opened lots of gifts, and spent quality time with each other and wonderful visitors! 
Claire (10 months), Adilyn (2+), and Jacob (1)
December 22: we took flight and headed from - something degree weather in Minnesota to sunny, 80ish degree Orlando, FL. This was Claire's 1st flight and Adilyn's 2nd. They both did great on the way there and back - no major outbursts, or blow outs, or scene making.
We spent seven wonderful, relaxing days in the warmth paying a visit to Downtown Disney, Legoland, the pool, and of course fitting in some quality time with the fam.
packing for 4 for 7 days...and I definitely ended up with too much for the girls
thankful for airport play areas before boarding
little goof-ball on the plane before we took off
what we were greeted with the first morning in Florida
learning a little pool from the 'shark' himself
this is how we roll in FL
still have Christmas spirit
warm day at the pool
our little fish - couldn't get enough of the water
cuddle time with Papa
building gingerbread houses with Hannah
the completed masterpiece
enjoying some time at the park...
this girl LOVES the beach!!
this girl may have been trying to eat the sand...?
trying to help me get a good picture
my heart could burst :)
love these crazies
Christmas Eve - opening gifts
visit to Downtown Disney
we had to find Mickey + Minnie
pooped after a day of adventure
we visited Legoland too
Christmas dinner
on our way back home...thankful Claire slept about half of the flight
It seems a post about our Christmas celebrations wouldn't be complete without the 2013 send-off picture. We spent NYE at a good friends' house partying it up all night!
I think it's safe to say we are officially full swing into 2014 - so I truly hope you all were able to spend time cherishing the Season and those you love. I also hope that your resolutions involve continuing to do the same, every day in the new year.
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