Christmas 2008

Allright, you may want to settle in, because this is going to be a long one. :) After uploading all these pictures I realized I probably should have broke this down into different posts, but oh well!

I will start with Christmas Eve...

Christmas Eve morning we continued the tradition that both Cort and I had as kids of getting to open one present. Mia was very excited to open hers and receive her Christmas pajamas and a book. Note that she is wearing her HALLOWEEN pajamas here-she is a big fan of the seasonal pjs and had requested to wear these the night before. :)

Mia helped Cole open his gift, and as you can see Cole was thrilled about the whole thing. :)

Showing Cole his pajamas

We took it pretty easy that day, just mainly getting ready to host Cort's family. Auntie Pam also came by for a quick visit to play Santa and spoil the kids. Thank you Pam for the gifts! Mia is loving playing with her puppy and register.

Pam and Cole

Soon the rest of the Graskes made their way over. Here is Cort supervising all the children. :) Mia and Ava had matching dresses again this year.

The kids played and were silly while dinner was cooking

The dinner table (I have to show off the china since it is used about once a year!)

Cole and Mommy

The girls couldn't quite wait for dinner to finish cooking so they got an early start at the "kids table"

Poor Cole-he had to eat watery cereal for Christmas! (more on the intro to cereal in another post)

Finally we all sat down and the girls abandoned their table to join everyone else (Cole is in the corner in his bouncer)

Mia enjoyed a Christmas cookie for dessert

And then it was time to open gifts!!!

Ava

Aidan

Cort

Papa and Ian

Ian, Sarah and Aidan

The Aftermath-Wow!

Next Cort and I put the kids in their Christmas pjs. Cole was pretty wiped out, so he went to bed, but Mia stayed up to write Santa a note and leave him cookies.

Mia and Cole

Setting out the cookies (and carrots for the reindeer)

Writing a note to Santa

Last, Gigi read Mia "The Night Before Christmas" before Mia went to bed (at 10:00!!!!)

The next morning was Christmas!!! It was so fun to wake up and have Mia be so excited to go downstairs and see what was left in her stocking and what Santa had brought her. This year she really "got" it and it was really great to see Christmas through her eyes.

Mia checking out a book Santa left in her stocking (this is what she had asked for from Santa)

One of her favorite gifts-a harmonica

Cole finally woke up and joined in the fun (after looking at all these pictures of him, it is apparent that he is not so sure about this whole Christmas thing!)

Mia opening gifts

Mia's big gift this year was a kitchen from Santa-it is really cute watching her pretend to cook.

Not to be left out of the whole gift-giving extravaganza, Cole ripped up some wrapping paper and checked out a new book he got.

Cole with his new animal towels

The next stop on the Christmas train was my mom's house. We met up with Mike and Jen's family there and did our gift exchange. Opening gifts with 4 chldren 2 and under is quite an experience. We had to take a couple of breaks and pauses throughout. :)

Claire chilling out under the Christmas tree

Mia with her new tiara and wand from Jen (the tiara now comes off occasionally for baths, etc. )

Mia and her beautiful umbrella

Claire and Cole playing (Cole was sleeping when we changed Mia into her Christmas outfit if you were wondering)

Noah and Cort

Jen and Mike

Mike Mom opening her picture collage

Jen and Claire

Finally, last but not least, we took the caravan over to my Aunt Cathy's for Christmas with my Aunt and Grandparents. My aunt cooked a wonderful meal with both traditional Armenian dolma and also yummy lasagna. More gift-giving and merriment continued. :)

Papa and Cole

Grandma and Cole

Cole's finally dressed!

Jen and Cole

Mia and Noah at their own table for 2

Love this one of Cole snuggled up with his Grandma

Mia playing with her new magnetic "paper dolls" An attempt to get a photo with both the kids

Photobook gifts

An AWESOME painting that my grandparents made for Cole

Worn out at the end of the night playing with Mia's wands :)

All in all it was a wonderful Christmas. Exhausting, but wonderful! Even though the last 2 years have had many ups and downs, Cort and I feel truly blessed to have such wonderful kids, wonderful family, and wonderful friends. We look forward to seeing what this next year has in store for us!