Christmas Day…

 

 

Christmas Eve…

 

Another WAM Christmas Eve is in the books.  We had a great night.  I’m blogging now at 6:30 am waiting for the kids to get up.  They were up to 10:00 last night and are sleeping in a little.  (This NEVER happens on a Saturday!)

As per Wistner tradition, we went to church last night at 5:00.  It was a special Children’s program and was totally interactive for the kids.  I think they really liked it.  After that we came home and ate dinner.  Way too much food – as usual.

We opened gifts from each other next.  Oh, the excitement of tearing into the gifts.  The kids really didn’t get the concept of taking turns and waiting to see what everyone else got.  They were tearing into the presents like someone was going to take them away!  They even “helped” open everyone else’s presents.

After bath time we put on our matching Elf pajamas and headed out to feed the reindeer.  Tommy and Matt held the kids while they sprinkled reindeer food on the ground in front of our wooden reindeer.  I was able to snap a couple of pictures in front of the tree, but my subjects were not interested in cooperating.

Erin got a tent for Christmas that fits over your bed.  I set it up and they were so excited to sleep in it.  We started them out together, but Billy the Kid was having none of that.  Erin wouldn’t settle down, so I got in the tent with her and Matt took William to the other bedroom.  (I’ll take a picture of the tent later when she’s up.)

Now, I’m just waiting for the Santa Stampede.

 

 

 

 

Country Christmas…

 

Per family tradition we had the Mize family Christmas in the Country this weekend.

Since we had a traditional meal at Thanksgiving, we opted for something easy for Christmas.  I baked potatoes and Granny got the BBQ.  We had chopped beef potatoes and they were great.  Super easy to fix and even easier to clean up!  I made a homemade chocolate pie and it was yummy if I do say so myself.  One of Jimmie’s friends made a tray of candy and a big container of Divinity just for me and Steph.  Man, it was good.

The kids had a blast.  It was cold up there like Christmas should be.  It was cloudy and still wet from the rain we had Friday but that didn’t stop the kids.  Erin came inside with a wet backside.  I asked her what she was doing and she told me Jake shot her so she laid down dead in the wet grass.  Nice. 

The kids loved opening presents and even tore into our presents.  I don’t think I unwrapped a single one.  As a special treat, Erin helped me wrap one of Pepaw’s presents.  It was covered with tape and very rough around the edges, but I don’t think he minded.

We got Granny a new camera this year.  Her camera was about 10 years old and had given up the ghost.  Granny does NOT like new technology and gets used to her old stuff and won’t usually give it up.  But, I have this same camera and bought one for Gram last year so I knew it was technically workable.  As soon as she opened it, I put the batteries in it and off she went like a pro.  This camera is so much better and faster than her old one.  The old one was super slow to take the picture.  Before we even got home Granny was posting new pictures on Facebook! Go Granny!!

Of course, what Country Christmas wouldn’t be complete without firearms. Granny and Pepaw bought the kids toy rifles for Christmas.  Jake and Luke got the same one and they came with a plastic compass, watch and buck knife.  Erin’s was pink camo and she loved it.  They played hard with them and Luke decided her was a good enough shot to take the scope off of his.  They also got real binoculars.  Erin loves them but she looks thru the wrong end most of the time.  Jake tried to tell her but she wouldn’t listen.  She just kept putting them to her eyes backwards.

You should also see the box of clothes Erin got from Granny and Pepaw.  I bet there were about 15 outfits in there.  She’s old enough that she really did appreciate the clothes and oohed and awed over them.  The boys could have cared less about the clothes, but Erin was happy.  Erin also got some kinetic sand from Uncle Mark, Aunt Steph and the boys.  She was asking to play with it the minute she opened it up and pitched a major fit when I told her we might get home too late to play with it.  We didn’t.  She opened it first thing after her bath last night and played with it for about an hour.  She loved it.  I have to admit, that stuff is pretty cool.  No mess and it sticks together really weirdly. 

But, before all the presents Pepaw sat the kids down and explained the real meaning of getting and giving presents.  It was very sweet.  Luke and Erin climbed into his lap and Jake stood at his feet.  He asked them some Biblical questions and they got them all right.

Here are some pics from the party…