This year we decided to spend the actual Christmas holiday at home in Arizona. Last year we stayed in town because we didn't want to fly with a newborn and this year, we'll be honest, the thought of going to cold (um, freezing cold) Minnesota just wasn't all that appealing because of the weather. To see family, yes, but weather, no. Plus Sara's parents would be coming out for the winter a few days after Christmas; Jim and his family are coming in January and we got to see Jeff and family for a week at Thanksgiving. Not to mention, Grandma Pauline and Papa John weren't planning a trip over the holiday like they usually do so we thought it would be a great time to start some of our own traditions and stay put and spend time with Grandma and Papa Hillins!
They came over before we needed to leave for church and since Ashley was still napping everyone headed out to save spots at church. Ashley woke up just in time to get ready. We were so excited that she got to borrow Brooke's 1st Christmas dress for church!
Not only is it super cute, we love that her cousin wore it too! Mommy came across this picture when changing out a picture frame. Everyone looked so cute! Thanks Dawn for letting Ashley borrow it!!
Mommy and Ashley got to church just in time for it to start after having to park blocks and blocks away. The kids did great at church but Trevor was disappointed that there weren't as many 'hi ya/pirate' guys this year.
When we got home we took a few pictures in front of the fireplace!
Gotta love Trevor's smile and how is it that Ashley looks huge here! Yay! She's growing!
After changing into comfy clothes and putting one of our best gifts ever to bed....
....we carried on the tradition of fonduing on Christmas Eve! Trevor thought it was the greatest thing ever! His favorite foods? Lobster, shrimp and steak. He's developing quite the palate for a four year old!
Cheers!
And we aren't saying how many bottles of wine were consumed during the course of fondue but we can say that one white bottle was definitely drank ;-)
After dinner Trevor watched an email that Santa had sent to him. He waited in anticipation to hear if he was on Santa's naughty or nice list. Of course, he was on the nice list!
We left out cookies and milk for Santa. And a peanut butter ball for Rudolph because reindeer like peanut butter, just like doggie Randle used to :)
And after one last horsey ride from Grandma Pauline (who Trevor still just calls Pauline), it was bed time for bonzo!
We took a few pictures of special ornaments...H for the the first Christmas we both had the same last name.
A Christmas ornament that Sara's Grandma Kelly bought for them after their wedding. Her handwritten note stating "Cherish the love you felt on October 9 forever" is still in the box making this one special ornament.
Our first born in a locket ornament from Aunt Carolyn and Uncle Jerry!
And an ornament from Mike, Nicci, Adam, Cole and Kendall showing our now family of four for Ashley's first Christmas last year!
And with that we were all off to bed so that Santa could make his appearance and take Jake back to the North Pole. Not sure we got a picture of Jake but he made an appearance a few days before Christmas and Trevor loved (and named) him. Can't wait for Jake to come back next year and get into more trouble hiding around the house! And yes, Santa definitely came...
Christmas morning Ashley was the first one up at 7:45!!!!
How lucky to have two kids sleep in on such an exciting morning! We're lucky Ashley could wait for big brother to get up well after 8:30 to start opening!
Before we all got upstairs to open gifts, Trevor found a special gift that Santa left in the media room (which has become more of a toy room). Trevor was so so excited for his new bigger bike!
Other favorite gifts....a batman airplane (as he calls it)
A big wheel!
And another pirate ship (this one from 'Pauline' and Papa John) so that everyone in the family has a ship to play pirate with!
Ashley was perfectly content having other people unwrap her gifts for her!
One of her favorite gifts was the present Trevor picked out for her after she got the Princess Castle for her birthday. It's a multi-pack of princesses. We can't believe he kept the present secret for 6 weeks! He was so excited for her to unwrap it so they could start playing together.
Another hit gift from Grandma Pauline and Papa John was Ashley's new baby grand piano. The girl loves anything music related!!
As well as anything princess. She is (and knows she is) a princess after all!
After all the gifts were opened Sara and Brian got busy in the kitchen. We made a turkey breast, mashed potatoes and gravy, dressing/stuffing, corn souffle, green bean casserole, and rolls....all without help from Brian's parents! We wanted to give them time away from the kitchen after preparing such a huge Thanksgiving feast and we were successful!
Nothing to do except fill up our plates and eat! And we finally got to use our holiday plates we've had since 2005!
After we ate and cleaned up, Ashley decided the Big Wheel was for her...he he!
We also played a new game that Trevor was very good at! And it's not even for kids his age - it's for 7 year olds! We love to play family games!!
The guys went to the park for awhile to burn off some energy. Isn't it nice to be able to do this after a Christmas meal? Wouldn't be able to do this in MN without fifty layers on!
And the night ended with a visit from Santa Claus! He was visiting Gabriella's house but recognized Trevor and wanted to say hello! What a fun and memorable Christmas all around!
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