It's begining to look like Christmas

The Saturday after Thanksgiving we had our first Christmas party. Instead of having everyone travel down to Grandma and Grandpa's house twice, we just had our party while we were all together.

I thought a fun new tradition was started when Grandpa hooked up the trailer filled with hay for us to sit on, and we took a ride over to Salem pond and saw all the lights as they turned them on. Many of us sang carols and had a great time. Others of us thought it was pretty cheesy and not quite their cup of tea. Either way we all were grateful for warm winter coats and blankets that night. It was FREEZING!!As usual, we had the gift exchange. Princess M seemed pleased that the largest present was for her.But it wasn't until she started opening it and saw her "berry own makeup that is jus my size" that her real feelings were shown.Princess E was pretty excited too.She was the proud recipient of a new crayon carry all. They are these awesome little pouch things that Aunt Chelle makes. Perfect for the church bag. (she has used it just about everyday since too.)The hit present of the evening definitely was the tooth brushes and tooth paste that The Wilde cousins sent.

For the adult gift exchange this year, we all decided to do it similar to a cookie exchange. Where you bring as many gifts as there were couples, but all of the same thing. We had six couples, so we came with 6 of the same thing, and left with 6 different things. But not just anything, it needed to be for food storage, or preparedness. I was just going to list everything that we gave/received, but I remembered that Chelle still hasn't opened hers. So I had to delete it all. If you want to know what we did exactly I will email you directly. But it was so fun, and I hope we do it again.

But like I said before, the toothpaste and toothbrushes were our girls favorite thing. They LOVE brushing. Princess M was particularly excited that she got her very own toothpaste.The main event for the Christensen party is always the big man dressed in Red. Usually it is a surprise to all of the kids, but this year we had to talk about it before hand. Because last year we had a rather traumatic entrance. Santa usually just uses his magic key for Grandma's house and just comes right in like he does every year. Well last year was no different, except Princess E and Annie were in Grandma's front room right by the front door when he came right in. He isn't the quietest of guests either. He makes a rather loud and jolly entrance. He didn't see the girls and walked right past them, but not before scaring the living day lights out of the 2 of them. It has been a long year of fear from princess E whenever there was a dressed character of any kind. All stemming from this one event.

So grandma began preparing early,these 2 especially, for Santa's visit. Well when we began hearing the bells, Princess E began creeping back into the crook of King J's arm. Covered her ears and eyes. She had a death grip and wouldn't let go.Princess M wasn't much better due to her big sisters example. She agreed to go sit on his lap after a few of the braver cousins had taken a turn, as long as mom helped her. But once she was up there she wasn't so sure any more.But eventually Princess E decided that since everyone else had taken a turn and lived she might too. Santa even apologized for scaring her last year, and I know that helped as well.

She was rather pleased with her bravery after she was done. The minute he left these 3 jumped to the couch to see if they could catch a glimpse of his sleigh and reindeer.



Since that night both girls have continued to talk about being brave to talk to Santa. I am proud of both of them, and hope it continues.