The Last Two Christmases

Because of a new lens and a new 'bloggie' video camera that we got, Jaret took all the pictures for our last two Christmases. As you can see in many of them, he's got a real eye. (Probably at least half of the other good pictures you see on here are his, too.) But also due to the fact that he had a new video camera, here is the only actual picture that we have of our little family Christmas.
It was a fun and cozy night with the kids. It feels like as they get older, the more we aren't just trying to entertain them and make an event for them, but their involvement and excitement make the event happen. It's great. :)

Our Wieland Christmas was on Christmas Day. We went to our Christmas Eve service at church and had originally thought we'd spend the night at mom and dad's afterward. But since we'd had a lot of late nights and tons going on, we had decided against it. Dad, however, came up to us after the service and said that sometime we'll have to come spend Christmas Eve because it would be so cozy to all be there. He looked so sad that we decided to go anyway.


Brett was home, so Jaret stayed up until the wee hours of the night chatting away with him in the hot tub. We relaxed in the morning, and had Christmas supper in the late afternoon.
After all the dishes were cleaned up, we had our gift opening. It's always fun, even though I have to take deep breaths and remind myself that 'who cares if the kids' gifts get lost in all the gifts and trash?', because there are a lot of people, gifts, and wrapping paper in a small area.




Smith wanted a picture with all his presents on one stack
The Reynolds

The Fessendens

Avi was very excited to receive this doll



He actually was excited about these guys :)
Flashing her lovely new pink gloves at us

The gift that probably got the most excited response of the evening: Avi's Colts shirt. We're not quite sure where she's getting her love for the Colts, since Jaret and I couldn't care less, and her teacher hates the Colts. I guess it's just part of her own individual interests emerging. :)
As I type up this post, I realize there are no pictures of mom and dad, which seems wrong, but I'll just say we appreciate all they did to make it a great Christmas.

On a funny note, between supper and gift opening, a lady who is basically alone in the world stopped in. She is on the larger side and was wearing a Santa hat. She sat down at the table, where a lot of the family were, including Faye. I was helping with the dishes, but I came over to check on Faye and her progress eating her dessert, and she said to me, "You're here (pointing to me), and you're here (pointing to someone else around the table), and you're here-pointing again and repeating several more times-until she came to the lady who had stopped by. She pointed at her and said in a thrilled little voice and said, "And Santa Claus!!"

And so wraps up another Christmas season. Jaret was sad, and I felt bad for him, but I have to say I'm kind of glad and looking forward to a few months at a lower key pace. (hopefully) :)