Little Christmas Eve

It's already the day before Christmas eve!? We've had such a festive month. 

We decorated. Look at that homely tree! With little, grabby hands in our midst, our ornaments have gravitated to the top half of our pine.  

 Christmas wouldn't be the same without our favorite books and stockings.

 This year, we improvised a chimney from construction paper. It was a cute idea. Lasted...oh about....45 seconds after Miss V woke from her nap.

Another holiday fail- stringing garland of popcorn. Don't let the quaint Christmas songs fool you! It's not as fun and careless as they make it seem. It takes more patience than I possess, ESPECIALLY with four little feet running amok, smashing each kernel of corn into minuscule bits. After getting about two feet of popcorn garland assembled, and muttering too many curse words, we called it quits.

Turns out this girl liked it better as a snack rather than a decoration anyway.

 Maybe a little too much. Double-fisting.

Our goal this year was to do as Christmas as best we could, with all the pazzazz we could muster, for the least amount of money. We are in grad school after all. These cards were PERFECT for that. And simply adorable. Who doesn't love homemade, three year old footprint, Christmas greetings?

The weekend before finals, I pried Riley away from the library, away from his laptop, and forced him to come with us to Freeport. The weather was frigid and the rain was ridiculous, but we had a ball.

And guess what?! They have a Lindt store! I've never seen an actual Lindt store. And I LOVE Lindt truffles. Those little nuggets of heaven have gotten me through some rough times.

 

 Hinder's first Santa sighting. Hinder was extremely shy and could barely whisper an audible sound.

Freeport's charming Derosiers pizza joint. Cozy and delicious. And apparently it's been around for ages.

 And of course, we couldn't go to Freeport without exploring the LL Bean empire and...the BootMobile!

The LL Bean aquarium was top-notch. I had to resist the childlike urge to crawl into that observation bubble. We definitely will need to make another trip back for more fish face time.

Downtown Portland Memorial Square was another family outing that ended with freezing temperature, frozen smiles, and warm drinks. They light up the entire plaza and Old Port streets. There is huge Christmas tree in the square and quaint shops everywhere.

 While waiting for our horse drawn carriage ride to start, we found refuge from the cold (and Hinder's whiny voice) in this coffee/gelato shop. One small peppermint hot cocoa and H's attitude did a complete 180.

Daddy and daughter stayed our of the cold...

 ..while H and enjoyed an old fashioned carriage ride around Old Port.

As the number of days until Christmas have dwindled, we have felt so loved as package after package has arrived from family members. Being so far away from our loved ones is a lot easier when they seem to constantly be sending their love through the mail. Thank you everyone!

The kids adore opening the packages, placing gifts under the tree and enjoying the surprises. Like this beautiful Christmas dress!

 And these adorable reindeer antlers!

I just can't say thank you enough.

 And now here we are, just two 'sleeps' (we refer to any passing of time in our house by number of sleeps. Moms out there- you know what I'm talking about!) away from the big day.

That makes today Little Christmas Eve, or Lillejuleaften as the Danish call it. The Danes know how to party- they start the Christmas celebrations on the 23rd and go until the 26th! And since Denmark has a special place in our hearts, we kicked off our Christmas holiday with some traditional Danish dishes. Christmas ham, glazed potatoes, red cabbage, green cabbage and rolls.

Mr. Hurst was in heaven. Think of the scene in What About Bob? where Bill Murray won't stop complimenting Fay's meal. That was Riley. Priceless.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, my favorite day of the year. I feel closer to the Savior and more focused on the true meaning of Christmas on Christmas Eve night.

Merry Christmas!!

Pictures from Christmas Past

This time of year always brings a reminiscing feeling for me. Lately, I've been flipping through old albums and photos, remembering all the wonderful memories we've made these past few years. Some of these pictures feel like they were taken in another lifetime.

Christmas 2007: the tiny auto-body apartment, Charlie Brown scraggly tree, just the two of us.

 

Christmas 2008: I was ginormously pregnant and started laboring the next day, our first Christmas without extended family, Monopoly and Settlers of Catan tournaments, my Kitchenaid mixer, and new camera (hence the incorrect photo dates)

 Christmas 2010: Hinder finally started to 'get' the idea of opening presents, talking to D'laney in Bulgaria, everyone together in Ritzville, splinter cell in the wee hours of the night.

Christmas 2011: Our little Vyla was just a few weeks old, Dicecapades and lots of laughter with the Wilsons and Killians, cutest kids in their new jammies, hot tubing on Christmas day.

I must hunt down photos of 2006, our first Christmas as a married couple, and 2009, Hinder's first Chrsitmas in Boise!

In the coming years, I wonder what precious memories will stick our about Christmas 2012?

Thus far in December...

 Before you read one sentence of this post, I must apologize for the ever-decreasing quality of my photos. They're blurry. They're totally unartistic. They're sent from my phone. And my phone camera photos seem to be getting more and more smudged. Must have something to do with the little grubby fingers that use it for netflix and Angry Birds.

Anyway. That's that. I'm not a photographer. Moving on.

Since Thanksgiving, the days are flying off the calendar faster than I can document them. Riley's first semester at UNE is coming to a close and my work with the Biddeford HS credit recovery is wrapping up. In between all the crazy, we've tried to do a few holiday-inspired activities.

So far, our December has looked something like this...

There were real-life reindeer at the Maine Mall alongside Santa's intricate train set display. This little boy's dream come true.

 Thank goodness for Yogibo in the mall.

A welcome resting spot to get some of our wiggles out- away from the throngs of people!

 Hinder bounced and bee-bopped all over the display bean bags.

Maybe someday our basement will be full of beanbag furniture?

 

When there is no snow to frolick in and it is too cold to play outside...that's when Hinder gets most creative.

Spinosaurus destroying a playdough village.

 These cute kiddos find plenty of time to cuddle, snuggle, giggle, and fight.

The joys of having two kids. They're constantly making each other squeal and scream.

The UNE Pharmacy Department put together the nicest little Christmas carnival for their students. Christmas crafts, horse drawn carriage rides, bouncy house, and cookie decorating were a few favorite activities.

 And of course, a very authentic Santa Claus and elf.

Hinder was not at all apprehensive about meeting Santa. He's been telling me for weeks on end that he wants to ask Santa for "arealdragonthatbreathesfireandroars".

And after hearing this Christmas wish, his tender-hearted Grandma Lorie went to the ends of the earth to find this dragon toy. What a saint!

So when it was his turn, he walked across the stage, and had a little convo with Santa...

...Smiled for a sweet picture...

...and then joined us on the other side. When I asked him how it went he said,

"I asked for a squishy hammer-head shark and a squishy Great Wide shark."

???/!!;lsd$%^^$#kjsdf?**!?????

Where did that come from?!

Ohhh this boy! He's always good for a laugh.

Happy 1st Birthday, Vyla Leigh!

 Six months ago, our little girl was a wee babe.

With pudgy cheeks, quiet coos, and no where to go!

 Her only problem in the world was that pesky older brother.

 And just like that, she's an entire year old! She's full of curiosity and alive with movements.

 Her smiles are big and goofy and she gives them generously.

 She loves to tease, play peek-a-boo, and 'sing' to music.

 Her new favorite activity is playing with anything pretty. Headbands and necklaces and beads. She meticulously takes each one out of it's bin or container and then carefully places them all back in. Over and over.

 This girl loves to eat!  Her cake was demolished. She must be my daughter.

 Auntie Gretchin came from New Hampshire to join our little party and play with the kids. I'm so grateful for her here. We feel so lucky to have her.

 Her first time independently opening presents. These moments were simultaneously exciting, sweet, and tedious. Hinder came uncorked with the s-l-o-w pace of her dainty fingers grasping and pulllllling. each. individual. square. inch. of. paper.

 By the end she got the hang of it and was excited to see what was inside each package.

 What a spoiled little munchkin! Toys, puzzles, books, new church shoes, minkie blanket and cute new clothes from her grandmas, aunt, and parents.

Thanks for this cute outfit, Nana!

We love our Vyla. She's the sweetest girl. Just enough spunk to keep her interesting, and just enough mellow to keep me sane. Vyla is the girl of a million nicknames. Vy, Vee, Vee Lee, Vylee, Vyloo, Vylo, Vyleela...she'll answer to any of them. Daddy only calls her "baby girl". They have a speical little bond. The only phrase she says right now is, "hidaddee!" when Ri comes in the door.

She's my heart. I love this girl.
She's so loved and has a charmed little life. She really only has that same problem.

That pesky older brother.



But even that is blossoming into a beautiful friendship.

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Behind-The-Scenes-Blooper Photo

HahahhhaHahooheeeheheheheHahahha!

I couldn't resist posting this picture of Riley attempting to restrain Hinder from opening Vy's gifts. The facial expression was staged. I promise he wasn't as rageful as this photograph makes him appear.

 It's just so funny. :)