We had a wonderful Christmas this year and although it's only been just over a week, it's still hard to remember everything we did while we were in Madison for 6 days. But here goes....
On Tuesday, my mother-in-law planned an 'outing' for the Sorensen ladies (my mother-in-law, 2 sister-in-laws, my brother-in-law's wife--which I think is still my sister-in-law, and Sadie and I). We met at a spa for pedicures first before lunch at the Madison Club.
To say that Sadie was excited about time with just the girls would be an understatement!
(l to r: SIL Cammie, MIL, SIL Mollie, Kyle's wife Christy)
Does this look like an excited little girl?? First pedicure
(I believe my first pedicure was when I was 24!)
Pink sparkles, of course
AND she also got her fingernails painted
We spent the next few days skiing with Matt's siblings, going out to eat, hanging out in Madison, seeing my Grandparents and just enjoying some relaxing family time. On Christmas Eve morning, we celebrated Christmas with my parents and sister. My kids have no idea how fortunate they are, but Santa comes to both grandparents' houses! So both Christmas Eve morning and Christmas morning are highly anticipated by the kids.
The evening before Christmas Eve morning, we were sitting at my parents and Matt mentioned to me how Sadie's cold didn't seem to be getting any better and her eyes were looking very tired. I thought it might be a good idea to have Matt call in an antiobiotic while a pharmacy was still open and before the holiday hit just in case her cold got worse, but the night rolled along and I didn't mention anything about it again. Of course I should have stuck with my instincts because at 2 am, Sadie woke up crying and complaining that her ears were hurting her. I knew instantly that she had developed an ear infection. Thankfully this was only her 2nd or 3rd ear infection ever, but I still knew she needed antibiotics as well as some Tylenol to help her sleep. Since we were at my parents and didn't have any Tylenol, I got up and Sadie and I went to Walgreens to pick some up and also to pick up the antibiotic I had Matt call in. We got home around 3:15 and both went back to bed, only to be woken up at 7am by Wyatt who was dying to see if Santa had come. (Despite the serious lack of exhaustion, I was very thankful that #1 Matt can call in a prescription for us and we didn't have to wait at an Urgent Care and #2 that Wyatt slept until 7am, which is nothing short of a miracle in and of itself.) Sadie was sound asleep but I told Matt we had to wake her up because she would be devastated if she missed it! And she did really great--thank goodness for Tylenol!
Sadie got a treasure chest full of princess dresses from Santa
She had specifically asked for a dress that touches the floor (like Lindsay and Christy's wedding dresses from the weddings Sadie was in this summer).....so thankfully this box had a 2-piece outfit so she was able to lower the skirt enough for it to touch the floor, as she was checking right here. Makes the top look a bit small, but thankfully we always wear them over other clothing so modesty isn't an issue.
Blake got this 'squeaky giraffe'....it's actually French and is a great chew toy for teething babies/kids. He loved squeaking it all morning!
Wyatt got the MN Wild Jersey he had asked for as well....and I don't think we've gone a complete day without wearing it yet!
Since my kids are the only grandkids on both sides of our families, I had asked our parents to try and stick to one gift for each of our kids and anything beyond that to be an 'activity' or 'experience' my parents could share with the kids.
So my parents got Blake the Cozy Coupe car, which he loved! He immediately recognized the box and wanted to get it out ASAP...
I love seeing everyone else's expressions when Blake's gifts are being opened....it's so exciting for everyone!
Looking up to his big sister
Wyatt got little skate boards and a skate board ramp
And Sadie got a dollhouse
My parents always do their Christmas shopping together and my Dad usually gives the boys (Matt, my brother-in-law Rob, and Wyatt and Blake) gifts he personally picks out for them. This year, my Dad gave Wyatt and Blake one of his favorite games from when he was a kid, "Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots"....not sure who was more excited about this one, my Dad or my boys...but they had a great time playing together!
I had to include this picture....for our gift exchange, I got my sister DVR for a year. She had been asking my parents to get DVR for quite awhile and had pretty much resigned herself to the fact that she wasn't ever going to get it. So when she was opening this gift, Wyatt and Sadie were helping and when they saw that all she got was a piece of paper, they didn't quite understand her reaction...making this picture, truly priceless and hilarious!
Sadie had been asking for footie pajamas for awhile and was beyond thrilled that we got her some....she, like Wyatt and his jersey, basically lives in them and only takes them off if we have to leave the house (and even then isn't sure she really needs to).
We also got the kids new underwear, so Sadie had to open each pair, lay them out and count them.
Blake wasn't very good at being patient with us putting his car together, so we let him sit in it for a bit (Sadie's ear infection was beginning to take it's toll at this point...poor girl).
My mom ended up having to take Blake in another room while we put the car together because he was just throwing a fit that he couldn't be in it right away....he loved being pushed around in it or just getting in and out, in and out, in and out.
You gotta love this picture of Blake in his new car and Sadie's displeasure at not being able to ride in it
Examining the different princess looks with Nani
Since there were fewer presents this year, we were able to spend more time playing games, sledding, and enjoying the gifts we had gotten.
My parents also gave the kids each a "Day with Nani or Pops"....I know the kids will love getting special one-on-one time with my parents. And Wyatt was already starting to come up ideas of all the fun things he wants to do with my Dad on their day together.
We went to church that afternoon and then headed over to Matt's family's house that evening. And both of our families took family pictures at church, but I didn't have my camera with me, so hopefully I will get copies of those pictures soon.
Wyatt and Blake slept in the same room at Matt's parents' house while Sadie got to sleep with her Auntie Cam and Aunt Mollie. We thought it was a great setup until Blake started to wake up around 5:30am (which he sometimes does as home, but usually goes back to sleep) and saw Wyatt in there with him. At that point, there was no way he was going to go back to sleep and Wyatt was now waiting to see if Santa had come again......thankfully Matt got up with both boys (I was exhausted from being up with Sadie the night before) and somehow managed to put on some Christmas cartoons for Wyatt until around 7am. But he couldn't be held off any longer (who can blame him) and we sent Wyatt and Sadie in to wake everyone up--who can be upset at those little faces?
So excited about her Easy Bake oven
Blake loved playing with Sadie's new jogging stroller (to match Mommy's, of course)
I don't have as many pictures from the Sorensen Christmas as I was given strict orders by several people not to show any pictures that they might appear in....well, with that many adults in the room, it was quite hard to get a picture without anyone else.
Do you think Sadie's ear infection and cold was catching up with her?
My mother-in-law made these great little seats for my kids and they loved them....they match some pillows I already have in our house and work out perfectly for playing games, watching movies, etc.
Uncle Ty got a jersey for Christmas as well
Only guys would even suggest taking a picture from this viewpoint! But I guess you can't really appreciate the jerseys without seeing the names, right?
Uncle Ty explaining to Wyatt why jerseys have laces in the front and are sometimes called sweaters
The Sorensen Family (minus Blake, who was sleeping) at Christmas Day Dinner
Sadie 'hanging out' with her Auntie Cam and Aunt Mollie...notice how she also has a magazine. Do you think I have a girlie girl here?
We had such a wonderful time in Madison, and as always, it flies by and seems too short. The kids loved being with their grandparents and aunts and uncles, as well as our family being able to spend some time together. It seems like this year the Christmas season just flew by, but I guess maybe that's just part of getting older and having so much to do during this time of year. But it's all an important part of making Christmas a special time of year and continuing family traditions. And thankfully we have another 10 1/2 months to recover and get some much needed rest!
