I know I have said this the past few years but I love the ages of the kids so much right now because of the enthusiasm and joy that they bring to Christmas. I truly hope that they never outgrow this and I sure am relishing in every moment right now. They make it so special and I hope that I remember the feelings that we all have on these special days forever. Although this year looked a little different due to covid, I am so thankful that the Christmas spirit was stronger than the changes from covid. Sine we were all quarantining due to the Zicklers testing positive we laid low on both Christmas Eve and Christmas and didn't get together in person with any of my family. I think this was hardest on me but am so thankful that we all zoomed together and for my amazing parents who brought over our traditional ravioli, meatballs and Pop's sauce as well as Jesus cake which made it feel like a true Christmas and meant that I didn't have to worry about cooking it all. They are amazing!!
On Christmas Eve we watched the 4:00 service on tv which was strange but we made it work. Then, we decided to pick up food from Ruth's Chris Steakhouse for Christmas Eve dinner. We had a gift certificate from Rich's work so figured this would be a perfect time to use it. We were a little disappointed with the meal but it was nice not to have to cook and to have it all paid for ;). Plus, it worked out perfectly because on the way home it was dark so we got to see all of the Westwood luminaries lit up which are magical. After dinner we enjoyed Christmas Cocoa Bombs, which I'm pretty sure will be a new Christmas Eve tradition. The kids loved them and they were so pretty and so fun to watch. The kids opened up their gift from Nonna and Pop Pop (to maintain the Ducote tradition) and loved the big connect four game that they received. After a few games of Connect Four, and then setting up cameras, writing notes to Santa and Jingle, and reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, the kids were ready for bed and SO excited.
Joseph had the last Hershey kiss from the Advent calendar!
Not my picture but so amazing!!
Merry Christmas!!!! The kids were up around 6:30 and rushed into our room saying "Merry Christmas!" We made them wait on the steps so we could get our traditional photo and then let them run down and then fun begin!!!
Santa was good to us this year!!!
Stockings first and thankfully nobody ended up with coal.
Then the presents began. The kids do such a good job of going one by one (this is something that my family did which I find so important so everyone can see what others are getting and also to make it go a little longer than 2 minutes ;). They are so excited for one another though and always have the best reactions.
Charlotte gave Daddy a "Super Dad' coffee mug with a puppy on it and she thought it was the funniest thing ever since Daddy doesn't like dogs!! She got such a kick out of it!
This is everything. They all picked out gifts for one another online at the school's Penguin Patch and their reactions to their gifts are so priceless.
Julia has the loudest screams, but Charlotte has the most animated expressions! They are all so fun to be around!
We spent the rest of the day playing, relaxing and spending time together. It was a great day!
We played our new outdoor games in the afternoon which are all big hits!
We are so thankful that Nani and Poppa dropped off dinner and Jesus cake for us. We sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and then enjoyed the delicious cake. Rich also did some baking and created the world's largest peanut butter cup cookie!! He received this giant peanut butter cup from one of his employees who knows his love of them, so he decided to turn it into a cookie. Everyone loved eating pieces from it for the next week or so!
I went to bed on Christmas night exhausted but with such a full heart. I am so thankful for this family of ours-our kids are so grateful, appreciative, kind and fun. It can definitely be loud and there is always something going on but we wouldn't want it any other way. We are looking forward to celebrating with lots of family next year but are so thankful for the memories made this year. Merry Christmas!
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