The Nicholsons: First Christmas

Our Christmas Tree

We survived Keira's first Christmas. The month of December was extremely busy. We started by putting up the Christmas decorations, hanging the stockings along the fireplace, wrapping presents and putting ornaments on the tree.

Since I got my Christmas present early (a new stove), I became a little ambitious and made a bunch of Christmas goodies; burning my finger in the process, getting it infected, needing antibiotics and a tetanus shot.

The Gingerbread house we made with the daycare friends.

The next thing on our list was to attend the annual work Christmas party with Dave. We always like going because they have a great dinner and dance. Although, this year we didn't stay as long as we normally have in the past. We were anxious to get home to our itty-bitty. We left at 10 o'clock sharp.

We had a few family birthdays to celebrate in Dave's family, and since we were celebrating Christmas in Arizona this year, we also did Christmas with the Nicholson's the same weekend, two weeks before Christmas, but hey, I wasn't complaining.

Playing with her new Sillytown toy.

We left for Arizona on the 18th and stayed until the day after Christmas. During our stay, we visited the grandparents and other relatives, played in the snow and rode on the ATV with the niece and nephew (Jonathan and Erin). We also took Keira outside to make her first snow angel and feel the snow for the first time. She didn't know what to think about it.

Making snow angels

Feeling the snow for the first time.

Family picture at the Greco cabin.

Great Grandma and Grandpa Palmer

Great Grandma Greco (101 years old, Keira 5 months)

Kathi, Keira, Jonathan, and Erin with our pacifiers

We heard that the mountains were going to get snow, so Dave and I decided to head for warmer weather, so we drove back down to the valley (Phoenix area). We thought it would be great to pon the baby off to Aunt Kelli while we caught a movie. We went to see Avatar at the IMAX theater in 3D. It was fabulous! We thought since going to a movie was fun we had Grannie babysit while we took Alisha, Spencer, and Travis to play miniature golf. Although, along the way there Dave thought to make the golf more interesting. He said if anyone could beat him, he would give them $10. Well, Spencer won by 1 stroke, but because he hurt Travis during the car ride there, Dave expelled him from the competition. I was shocked to see Dave actually discipline someone. I thought he was a big softy.
After all was said and done, it was finally Christmas Eve. We did our usual family tradition and had Chinese food for dinner, then all went our separate ways and waited for Santa to come.

Christmas Eve Chinese Dinner, Uncle Brad and Keira

Christmas morning, Grannie and Grandpa headed over to Kelli's house leaving Dave and I and Keira to follow. Only we couldn't follow...Grannie had the car keys. So we waited outside only to see Alisha driving up to the house. What a scary site!

Waiting for Christmas at Aunt Kelli's

Finally, once at Kelli's we had to see what Santa left for Keira and true to form, he knew she would be there and filled her stocking and left her a baby doll. She was so excited, but I think after all was said and done, she was more interested in eating the bows.

Self explanatory...bows are more fun.

December 26th came way too fast. It was sad to leave the family and such beautiful weather because we came back home to 18 inches of snow and freezing rain in our driveway. We couldn't even walk up to the doorway it was so thick and crunchy. What a welcome home?!?
I hope the Holidays found everyone well and happy. Have a blessed and Happy New Year.