Our Christmas 2010

This Christmas was the first year we have been completely alone as a wee family. As much as I love both our families it was kinda perfect and lovely having it just be us.

I've so enjoyed starting new and adopting traditions that we will continue each Christmas time.

We began Christmas Eve with the traditional drive to see Christmas lights. We found a neighbourhood about 10 mins from us that had the best house lights I have ever beheld. Blew my mind for reals.

Once we returned home, the wee ones opened their new p.j's before sitting down for some mediocre chocolate mousse....I will attempt to perfect it by next year.

Whoever found the sweetie in their mousse won a prize that the family could enjoy.

(Setting out Santa's cookies and the carrots for the reindeer)

And oh did the whole family enjoy! We had a brilliant time playing 'Hungry Hungry Hippos'. It has become a nightly ritual before bedtime since then.

On Christmas morning the wee ones arose around 8am. Decent time....I was very grateful. I can only assume it will get earlier in the next few years as they become more and more excited about their presents. Jack was very excited this year though...so much so that on a couple of occasions he couldn't stand how slowly Peter was opening his presents and so took over. Ryan and I made sure Pete got his gifts back and I could tell Jack was having a little trouble being patient. In my family growing up we each had our own pile that we attacked on Christmas morning and then we looked to see what everyone else had gotten after....I never had a problem with it and still don't...it was plenty fun. However, we decided to do it Ryan's families way and each take turns opening a gift. Someone is assigned the role of 'Santa' and finds each person a gift of theirs to open from under the tree when it's their turn. It's way fun this way too. Jack was our wee 'Santa' this year.

(Helping and then taking over unwrapping Pete's gift)

As I have mentioned before Peter is obsessed with Toy Story, specifically Buzz...so in his stocking he got Jessie and Woody. He walked around with all three in his arms for most of the day.

Peter main gift was the mega block pirate ship.

Jack's main gift was the Batcave, he really loves it.

We had a pretty yummy dinner, which after hours of preparation is always over way too soon, but it's always worth the effort.

Each year I make sure we have Christmas crackers to pull at the dinner table...a tradition from home I will never give up...it's brilliant fun.

The crackers were a hit with the wee ones, especially the hats, or the "crown" as Jack called it. Peter kept his on for the entire dinner...amazing, eh?!