hosting

Aiden was so excited to host his Nana, Grandpa, Great Nana, Auntie Jess, Uncle Matt, and Cousin Kayley here at our house for Christmas. When we all woke up on Christmas morning (Aiden did a good job sleeping in with us and even slept past his relatives that were still on Arizona time - We know that a few years from now that won't be the case), we creeped downstairs (in our matching jammies) and I asked Aiden if Santa had been there. He made his surprised grunt and pointed immediately at the Elmo Live from Nana and Grandpa that we'd let him open on xmas eve. He was so excited that Elmo is living with him now and was still in his house! That Elmo is really something, but he really smiles at him. The biggest smiles are saved for when Nana honks his belly button and Grandpa tells him the Three Little Monkeys story though.

We all had stockings left from Santa (a lot of Aiden paraphernalia for the adults and books for Aiden - and the best jumping reindeer with santa on his back that did flips, even despite Aiden's protests) We started opening presents and Aiden enjoyed being pretty slow to grab at a new present. His first present was a fish bowl that bubbles and plays music when you put the fish inside. He kept going back to that first present, until the big Santa present came out - Weebleville! It was definitely a hit as expected. Cousin Kayley even liked playing with it. New puzzles and shape sorter pieces galore... and by 11am, there were two huge bags of wrapping paper and our barn room looked like xmas hit it. We all know what it looks like when xmas hits a room.

Despite J's weak attempts to dissuade me, I pulled out the nice china from our wedding (only the second time since we got married nearly five years ago and the first time I used all of it). We dressed the table and added on a little peninsula for extra seats. Aiden's extreme daddy clingyness this week meant that I darted around the kitchen trying to remember everything. We had a bigger than expected glazed ham, mashed potatoes, butternut squash, sweet potato casserole, stuffing, gravy, green and yellow beans, carrots, and cranberry sauce. Quite a full table and lotsa leftovers. Luckily Aiden rested and while his eyes were shut, J could sneak away to wash down all the nice china. Aiden woke up just in time for dessert - spice cake (a surprising crowd favorite - I made despite J saying that real desserts must include chocolate), pumpkin pie, chocolate cream pie, and cookies.

The present playing continued and Kayley was really good about sharing and making sure that Aiden didn't mistake any of her new Light Bright pieces as candy. Aiden thanks everyone for their great presents! And especially to Nana and Grandpa for all the giggles... I snuck in a family photo on the timer which included everyone! I even had my little selphy canon printer setup to print down the photos right away for everyone - great little party favor. Even though all of the snow was washed away by the rain on xmas eve, it was still a perfect xmas... The perfect 'white' xmas is overrated ;) and the best xmas gift for J is no shoveling.... well, second best to having all of the family together in one warm house.
Photo link to more photos coming soon...