I've already written about Christmas Eve and Christmas Day ... the other great thing about the holidays is all the people who are in town, from my cousin Sarah and her husband Evan, to friends like Kirsten (from Michigan!), the Seltz family (from Iowa!), and Brittany (from California, and who drove all the way up from MSP to see me!).
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| Brittany and I have been friends for 20 years! |
I didn't get pictures of all the people I saw, but here are some to share --
First was a post-Christmas get-together at Ron and Teresa's house. Brookie and I started talking about this as a way for our kiddos to experience extended family (and cousins!) at Christmas.
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| Alex and Grandpa |
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| Alex was a bit shy and just wanted to hang out with Mommy. Even if it meant disturbing my champagne! |
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| Playing with Toaster, Evan and Sarah's new pup who traveled with them back from Seattle. |
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| I just adore this sweater on him. |
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| V showing Grandma her Anna doll. |
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| Alex got brave enough to play with Toaster. |
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| Toaster and "dad." |
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| Ron and Teresa gave Alex this car. Oh my goodness he loves it! |
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| V got Barbie clothes! |
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| Awww ... grandpa snuggles! |
I loved seeing the kids play together!
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| Alex and Eva playing Hungry Hippos |
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| Eva and V |
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| Victoria, Alex, Jett, and Eva |
A couple videos of the Hungry Hippos game:
I love the counting!
After Ron and Teresa's house, we went to Adam and Megan's. They have Legos, which is really all that matters, right?
Speaking of Legos ...
... Merry Christmas Victoria! Both kids got Legos from Uncle Adam and Auntie Megan. They were so happy!
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| Molly got a special tin of Christmas treats. |
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| The girls exchanging gifts. |
A couple days later, we went to the Cities to see Karen and Madi.
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| Madi, Matt, and Alex |
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| The living room seating area included Karen (working on her day off!) and Victoria |
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| The kids got to open their presents. |
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| Baylee Rae kept an eye on everything. |
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| V got the cutest goodies for her American Girl dolls. A backpacking set! |
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| Victoria had been helping me wrap gifts all season, but this gift to Madi was the first gift she ever wrapped all on her own. Proud mama! |
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| This girl adores her cousin. |
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| And so does this guy. |
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| When we got home, V assembled her stained glass kit. She loves projects! |
The next day, the kids went back to daycare. Alex walked in and saw this ... the biggest gingerbread house we have ever seen. So cool!
I immediately wondered, how long until the kids destroy this house?
Victoria would've oohed and aahed over the details, and probably wanted to color or add decorations.
Alex? OF COURSE, it immediately became a place for a ninja turtle.
And before I even walked out the door, said turtle was jumping off and fighting on the gingerbread house, with bits of frosting flying.
And just like that, Christmas was over.
