Ahh, the prime years of Christmas Wonder and unforgettable moments! Family history is being made right under our noses, but it is so fleeting that if we aren’t careful, it will slip from our grasp and so I must to chronicle this magic time with the boys. For there may only be a few more to come before some of the wonder and innocence surrounding this glorious holiday will eventually fade. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t sad to even acknowledge this reality, but I am enjoying the extreme sweetness to live these moments with each other as a family. And for that I celebrate!

Decorating was fun this year as both boys took an interest in helping with the ornaments – Ethan was REALLY into it. He was especially fond of the train that we set up under the tree. Logo the elf came back for another visit and was always popping up somewhere. This year I introduced an advent calendar with little trinkets each day, in an attempt at breaking away from the artificial “Franken-chocolate” advent calendars. [Have you tasted that chocolate? It’s terrible!] Ethan loved helping me bake cookies and of course, Max loved helping eat them!

Ethan and the St. Martin’s children’s choir performed at Christmas Eve mass and then we went to pick up a birthday cake for the next morning. We walked around the Santa Monica Promenade and dinner out. It was such a relaxed Christmas Eve…well, until the boys went to sleep! And of course, that’s when the fun begins!

This year, Christmas day was unlike any we’ve ever experienced. For the first time EVER, we celebrated – just the 4 of us. We stayed in California until Dec 27 – I was worried it would be a bit lonesome, and while I definitely missed hosting a large family Christmas dinner, there’s something to be said for a truly quiet and stress-free Christmas day of letting the boys remain in their Christmas jammies all day and play with their toys without further obligation. No cleaning, no running place to place. No muss, no fuss.

The boys hit the Christmas jackpot (especially Ethan with his double whammy birthday / Christmas combo)! Skylanders Giants with lots of new characters, a new bike, LEGO, LEGO and more LEGO! A table and chair set, food sets, books…and that doesn’t even include all the goodies from Missouri!

We had one of our better airplane experiences in the last 2 years. Max only slept a little, but he was much easier to entertain. He still puts up a small fight when he decides he’s had enough of sitting still, however. Ethan continues to be our expert traveling companion.

We stole time with grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. It’s never enough, but it was lovely that Ethan was able to celebrate his 6th birthday with all of his grandparents. Max’s favorite new trick was eating everyone’s nose…especially cousin Lili’s and Granny Danker’s!

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