I can still watch Elf even though Christmas is over, right??

What a fantastic Christmas we had!  What?  You didn't receive my Christmas card and letter?!?  That's weird.  I swear I sent them out.  Just in case the mailperson lost yours, I will throw some pictures and a recap of our holiday fun up here on the 'ole blog.  And, don't withhold your mailperson's Christmas gift over my silly little card.

To start off the holiday season, Brad and I had a night of Christmas shopping and sushi eating.  I think this is quickly becoming a tradition for Willa's birthday and Christmas time.  Guaranteed date night, shopping and great food twice a year.  I like it.  Then, the weekend before Christmas, we had a night out with some good friends that involved a surprise limo ride to drink champagne and look at Christmas lights.  Again, not a bad idea.

The next day, 5 of my favorite friends from high school came over and we spent all day and most of the night baking, drinking and playing games.  Amy even traveled all the way from Kansas to be with us and to teach us all a new game that was just about the funniest thing ever.

On the Sunday just before Christmas Eve, we decided it was high time we finish our shopping.  We are such procrastinators.  I SWEAR, I am going to do better next year.  But I'm pretty sure I say that every year.  No matter, it was a very fun day out and about with Brad and Willa.  Ending with dinner at Bison Witches, which just happens to be a favorite of our family.  I can't even hear those words without having an intense craving for their queso dip.

Christmas Eve was a very nice day.  Since it happened to fall on a Monday, Brad and I both had the day off.  So we cleaned up the house, finished wrapping gifts, Willa and I ate lots of pancakes, we all built a gingerbread house together, and then we went to my mom's house for dinner, Christmas carols, egg nog, gifts, and dessert. We took a little break from all of that kind of fun to attend the candlelight service at Southpointe Christian church, where Brad plays drums for the church band.  Christmas Eve church has always been my most favorite thing all year.  Not even my favorite church thing, but just plain my favorite thing.

Christmas morning started off with a visit from Santa Claus, and a chance to give gifts to one another.  Santa brought Willa a Lite Bright, and she also scored some board games, movies, legos, and lots of gear for coloring and drawing.  Brad finally got a new wallet.  Had any of you seen the old one?  It was in sad shape. I got some great running accessories, like earbuds that actually stay in my ears and an adorable Lululemon stocking hat.  After gifts were opened, we made a nice, big brunch and my parents and brother came over.  Later on in the day, we made the trip to Grand Island to visit my grandparents and Brad's family.  It was such a relaxing, family-filled holiday time.  I was very sad to see it over.  I think this was the first year that Willa started to understand, although her focus was pretty "toy-centered".  Something to work on for next year, I guess:)  I hope that you all had really good family time as well and ended the year on a positive note.  Much as I hate to see Christmas time end, I always get really excited for the New Year and all that "new" implies.  Resolutions, changes, fresh starts, refocusing, reflecting...So much to look forward to!

January 7th...time for Christmas pictures?!?

Willa was falling-down-excited about her new turtle from Uncle Chris.  She got some great animal gifts.  Wish I had a pic of her inflatable giraffe from Brant and Joy.

Even Grandma's dogs get Christmas Eve hugs.

Santa left a few little things in the stocking

A lego zoo!  Its almost like Grandma and Santa communicate, as Grandma bought the lego grocery store!

Elefun is a challenge, unless you are nine feet tall like Uncle Chris

This gift has already provided me with many hours of fun.  And inspiration.  You just wait.

Helping to prepare brunch

Only Willa looks this good straight out of bed.

Christmas was weeks ago.  I feel like the holidays, starting with Thanksgiving, just FLEW by!  Why is that?!?  I'm blaming it on the amazingly un-winter-like weather and my semi-busy schedule.  I feel like I kind of slacked this year on Christmas preparations.  Didn't put up very many decorations, and those that I did, Stickers attacked.  Did some pretty frantic, last minute shopping.  Maybe next year I will be a little more prepared and have a more well behaved cat.  Christmas weekend was still enjoyable, with or without shiny glass ornaments.  Church and Christmas Eve dinner at my parent's was perfect.  Fun gifts were opened.  Willa understood about Santa this year.  Santa didn't leave Willa coal.  We hosted a little brunch for my parents and brother.  We made it to Grand Island, with potatoes.  We spent the entire next 2 days rearranging our home to make room for the great stuff that Christmas brought and taking down the (sad looking) tree.

Merry Christmas, friends!!

Hope everyone is having a fantastic holiday season!!  We have lots of plans for the next few days.  Christmas Eve with my family at my parents' house, Christmas day at home, Christmas evening with Brad's family in Grand Island and then a few holiday parties over the next few days.  Thank goodness for a few days off!  And then...2012!!  Lots of big plans for the coming year.  Maybe my next round of night shifts will include a 2012 goal setting post.  And/or a holiday letter of sorts.

I'm so excited for Christmas Eve church service, gift-giving, cookie baking, and lounging in pjs.  Then maybe some wine or whiskey drinking?  Don't want this thing to get toooo PG.