Christmas 2014

As usual, Christmas kicked off in early December with the tree trimming.  J put the tree in the stand (after chopping 2 ft. off the top because it didn't fit!) and flew off to Boston leaving the kids and I put up the tree while he was away.  We had a fun time decorating.  It's always a treat unwrapping decorations and ornaments from years past.  I usually leave some of our ornaments packed up, but this year our tree was so big that I unpacked them all in an attempt to fill the branches.


Every year I buy a new ornament for the tree to commemorate the year although I seem to have gone a bit overboard.  Our new ornaments include...
Hand-painted egg from Russia

Wood mountain goat from Switzerland (also keeps moths away)

Two silver winter ornaments from Denmark

Pinnochio from Rome

Felt wreath and xmas tree made by C


The kids and I also decorated our resident deer, Elvis.  I bought red yarn and we made a big pompom for his nose.  Then the kids decorated paper slips which we made into a paper chain to go over his antlers.  Seriously old school.  I love how the kids decorated their paper slips.  K made airplanes while C offered lots of variety, drawing reindeer, snowmen and writing love letters to Santa.  Elvis looked very festive.


Across the living room fireplace we hung stockings from J's Mom & Dad's house. And no Christmas decorating would be complete without a poinsettia.

Our friends the Klaehn's made us a lovely advent calendar.  Each day the kids opened an envelope to see what was inside.  The advent calendar ended up playing double-duty - I quickly realized it was the perfect place to display all the Christmas cards we received.

There is a church at the corner of our block and in a little vestibule outside was a small manager display that drew us in every time we walked by it.  One night I took the kids to a candlelight Chorale Mass.  The choir was pretty spectacular and the kids enjoyed hearing carols they had learned in school.  Afterwards mince pies and mulled wine was served in the church hall.

 

On Christmas Eve J & I took the kids to see The Lion King at the West End.  We sat the kids on the aisle so that they had great views of the animals walking down the aisle.  They were mesmerized but a bit scared when the hyenas arrived.  After the show we walked through Covent Garden on our way to dinner. Unfortunately many of the restaurants were closed but we managed to find an open Pizza & Pasta restaurant.

Ready for bed in the their new pjs:

Santa arrived on cue and the kids were thrilled with all their presents.  In addition to the large soccer net & soccer balls, K really enjoyed his hot wheels tracks.  From Grandpa Marvin C received American Girl matching dresses which she loved.  My personal favorites were the matching bear feet slippers.








Since the kids loved it so much in Switzerland, for dinner we (mostly j) made fondue.  Cheese fondue for J & I and meat fondue for all of us to share.  It was nice to have a special meal to celebrate Christmas!  Growing up, fondue dinner was my family tradition for New Year's eve but we just might adopt it for Christmas since it's such a crowd pleaser.



On Boxing Day, KK, MM and the kids came over for the day.   It was nice to keep the Christmas festivities going.  J make a wonderful roast beef and we all had a joyous time.  Since we weren't with our family for Christmas, it's nice having friends to share the holiday with.