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| Note Erik's awesome mixed media. I didn't have the heart to cramp his style. |
And not only that, our incredible, amazing neighbor was going to visit family and offered to house my family in their very own VIP suite right across the street. Win-win-win!
They flew in early on Christmas Eve, so we got to enjoy Christmas Vigil mass together for the first time in years:
Afterwards, they settled in and we prepped for the big day. It was one of the easiest "prep" years we've ever had, a) because Peter did an awesome job of planning and pre-assembling stuff and b) because we tried really hard to cut back this year. We are absolutely drowning in STUFF, so much unnecessary stuff that clutters our mind and home and ruins the planet, and frankly, that we don't really need. And having to move so much stuff last year (despite getting rid of so much) really drew my attention to it. So we tried to really cut down on the amount of gifts and focus more on experiences or activities we could do together. And on giving to others. We were also happy to learn that the angel tree gifts at our church (which we do every year) were going to military families.
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| One of my favorite moments every year is when we sit for a quiet, peaceful moment under the glow of the tree after everything is set out and right before we crash. |
The kids still each got one big thing from Santa:* Marie requested a skateboard because she's awesomely gnarly, and the boys got Star Wars everything--because if you can't beat 'em, enable them.
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| sk8r grl |
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| We also got Pajama Grams (in the form of these super fluffy fabulous robes) for the 2nd year in a row from my awesome aunt. I think we'll have to get her a 30x30 canvas of this for her Christmas present next year. |
We attempted the gift of activities for everyone else-- the girls got 'learn to knit' stuff and the boys got airplane kits. Most of the activities lasted all of ten minutes...but Marie and I did come out of the visit knowing(ish) how to knit. So I call it a win.
It was a nice, relaxing morning, followed by lots of chefs contributing to a huge spread for dinner. Peter's parents joined us for the feast and it was a great time had by all!
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| Two tables, twice the fun! |
*This was the last year of Santa for Marie--she's been asking about things all year so after the holidays we let her in on the secret. I thought I'd be sad but I was mostly relieved. One more Santa's helper on our team next year to help with the fun...and that darn Elf on the Shelf!
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One of my biggest gifts (next to my the presents/presence of my family) were the paint supply contributions and manual labor they donated to a great cause: an overhaul of our (formerly) gingerbread-tastic bedroom. The fact that they spent over half their vacation helping us realize our master retreat vision is just...well...I probably wouldn't have volunteered. But they did. So that's how generous and wonderful they are. Much more about that one soon.
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My Dad's birthday is also 3 days after Christmas, so we had the luck of celebrating with him again. He's a golf coach for both his high school and college in town, and my sis is now a collegiate golfer herself, so we took a break from painting to enjoy some winter "golf," Top Golf style--sort of like bowling, but possibly even more fun. It's basically a driving range, but you hit the balls from the comfort of a heated bay where you can order food and drink. And it's easy enough for non-golfers to play along with the experts--even the kids got in on the action!
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| Oldest to youngest - I'll let you guess who the pros are. |
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Finally, we took a trip up to the mountains over New Year's Eve, and skied Vail and Beaver Creek. The kids had lessons the first two days, and the rest of the crew (minus my brother) took it easy and hung out mountainside the first few days--and for good reason, between the altitude and my dad's recent knee surgery. With the frigid temperatures, I was even feeling it by the end of day two. But everyone joined in for the last day, which thankfully dawned bright and a little warmer!
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| #photobombbyPeter |
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| The crazy boys made me ski off this cliff. And I lived to tell the tale. (THOSE DOTS UP THERE ARE PEOPLE). |
Happy New Year!!!
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