Christmas 2012

This year I had a harder time than usual getting into the Christmas spirit. I suppose that's understandable -this is my first Christmas since my father died, and last Christmas was the last time we were together. I've also been facing the toughest situation I've yet had to deal with as a supervisor, and one of the consequences was that my program suddenly became understaffed. Tyson, Tyler and I all caught the worst cold/flu we've had in years, and I had to keep going to work despite being sick. So I got a little down in the dumps, but those awesome guys, Tyson and Tyler, reached down and pulled me right back up. One day, both my morning plans and my afternoon plans fell through, but Tyson and Tyler decided we should bake cookies, and convinced me to join in. One Friday night, I heard Tyson telling Tyler we'd go get a tree the next day. The next day, I was having fever and chills, and told Tyson I thought we should wait one more day, but I looked at his face, and then thought about how disappointed Tyler would be, so I agreed to go get one anyway. It turned out to be wonderful! Tyler was able to help choose the tree, and then helped Tyson decorate it.

Grandma Allaire drove down on Saturday to spend time with us. Grandpa Keith came to spend time with us, too. On Christmas Eve, we decided to go to the 5:00pm "family friendly" church service. Tyler received the honor of bringing a Wise Man up to the nativity. He had a great time throughout the service.

It never occurred to me that going to the early service meant missing out on eating dinner in a restaurant! We got out of church by 6, yet each restaurant we tried had already closed. None of us felt like cooking, so we ended up at Jack In The Box! It felt so funny to be eating at a fast food joint on Christmas Eve! We got home around 7:30, leaving us plenty of time to set out cookies and milk for Santa, magic oats for the reindeer, and to read some books before tucking Tyler into bed.

Tyler woke up at 6am on Christmas morning, but I convinced  him to go back to sleep, and managed to sleep in til 7:45! He then proceeded to waken Grandma Allaire and Tyson by ringing sleighbells in their ears.

We repeated the Christmas Jammies tradition borrowed from Art's mom. We thought we bought pjs to match the Glass-Johnson family. But if FaceBook photos are to be believed, we bought the wrong ones! Oh well, I think we still looked good : ].

We continued the tradition of letting Vader open the first gift. This year, Vader was confident and efficient, needing no reassurance or persuasion.

Tyler's been dying for a train tunnel for months. Aunt Jonell, Uncle Art, Payton, Cole and Shelby delivered. So happy!

I've been looking for an animal print beanbag chair for weeks, but decided to go with this. Tyler's thrilled with his new bedroom book-reading station!

Leave it to Eagle-Eye Tyson to notice the details. I think he must have clued Vader in, because I keep discovering Vader laying on it!

Tyler loved Grandpa Allaire's dinosaur game!

He loves this too. He just doesn't know it yet! Thanks, Grandma Glass!

Ah, Santa. Good deal.

Tyler was so happy to receive Thomas the Train books!

And Thomas the Train dinnerware!

We are so excited about this easel/chalkboard/dry erase board/painting station!

I helped Tyson reminisce about our summer vacation by buying him craftbrews from Lost Abbey, Green Flash, Stone, and Port Brewing Co. 

Gigima and Auntie Em dropped by with more gifts!

I just love seeing these three gals (Arlette, Anita and Anne Marie) get together!

For the record, this is the toy Tyler went to sleep with tonight. No stuffed animal for this kid. It is hilarious to hear him say, "I want the excavator! In the crib! Excavator!" Thanks, Auntie Em!

The best Christmas gift of all!

Merry Christmas!