after christmas

Hope everyone had a fun christmas. We did. One of the highlights was that Jordan and his folks were able to talk to Max on Christmas day from Madagascar. He sounded good but we miss him being here for the holiday fun. We spent Christmas at my Mom's this year and with their new addition/family room we didn't feel cramped. With all five kids home, 2 of them married, and me with 2 kids I was worried, but the room made a huge differance. Who knew 350 square feet was all that house needed? The best part for my mom was that she was able to sit all 20 of us down at the same table for dinner for her traditional 7 course german meal. It was as always delicious. Stephanie made the traditional german cookies for dessert and they were extra tasty, her secret was more vanilla then the recipe called for, I don't want to think of how many of those I ate. Lei had fun too. She finally understood the concept of Santa and would yell with each present, "I am so excited I can't wait!" as she opened them. Her letter to Santa had a lot of Jaime (Steph's husband) basicly a commentary of what he was doing as we wrote the letter. The "elf on the shelf" was named Red by Lei and he went home to Santa each night to report if Kaleia and Luke were being good. He showed up each morning in a new place and Kaleia loved looking for him every day. Her favorite part was the advent calander I must say though because of the candy. Jord and I were afraid we didn't get enough presents for Kaleia and Luke but all of our relatives took care of that. We came home with 2 HUGE bags of toys...not sure where they are going to go. I am looking for a shelving unit for the bedroom. And of course we did our Christmas Story movie night. I have to get a leg lamp for Jord next year and a bunny pajama for him. I think I have watched the Grinch stole Christmas to last me a long time this was Kaleia's favorite Christmas activity...and the chipmunks holiday music c.d. GAG.

We went over to Grandma Moos' to make taffy, I observed...years ago on vacation to Bedego Bay we all made taffy and she yelled at us for dropping it on the rug so I refused to participate in fear it would happen again. LOL. She didn't really yell just raised her voice, something she had never done before or since so it was tramatic for an 8 year old. Lei helped though and so did Lindsay and Miles. I looked at old christmas photo albums of years past. I must say I had some akward years espeacialy '92-'96. She loves going to Grandma and Pop Moos' house because of the backyard she ran outside for a long time with Linds and Miles. Yay cuz she was pooped out that night and fell asleep fast.

Gift highlights for Lei:
Train set
Animal figures
Winnie the Pooh memory game
Luke's toy fire engine

Luke's gift highlight:
This toy animal he can chew on

Jord's gift highlight:
Martin hat

Stacy's gift hightlight:
hot stone pedicure gift certificate
Luke's stocking and tree skirt that matches all of our stockings