Christmas Break

Andrew and I are alike in so many ways. However, we are very different in how we would choose to spend our vacations. I am a goer. I like to explore and have adventures and fill every minute up. Andrew is more of a homebody. And a relaxer. Over the years, we've discovered that we balance each other out well.

This Christmas break was an Andrew-style vacation. LOTS of hanging out, relaxing, and sleeping in. We LOVED it. It was REALLY hard to go back to normal routines after enjoying sweet laid-back family time for so long.

CHARLOTTE HORNETS GAME

The school district had a special on Hornets tickets. They weren't super cheap, but when we found out that we could watch the Jazz play on a Saturday night, we decided to go for it. We used to go to Bobcats games as a family every once in a while, but hadn't been to an NBA game in a couple of years, so we were excited.

Uptown Charlotte is a happening place.

The missionaries know where to share their message.

Look at these fun Christmas lights.
Andrew said they reminded him of a mini Temple Square.

At the arena

Enjoying the game.

The girls were not so thrilled about watching basketball.

We told them to trust us...it would be fun.

We were right. 

They had a great time.

Part of the package with buying tickets through the school

was that we got our picture taken on the court afterward.

Very cool.

Awesome jumping picture.

GINGERBREAD HOUSES

(No real gingerbread was involved in the making of these houses.)
We had to let some of our traditions go last year while Andrew
was recuperating from surgery. We were glad to add this one back into the mix.

B made Iron Man's hangout--Stark Tower

Andrew did an amazingly accurate replica

of his post-surgery spine.

Whitney piled on as much candy as possible.

Caroline decorated hers all by herself.

I was impressed!

Especially with her snowman

and her mailbox on the left side.

My simple, cute little house.

CHRISTMAS EVE

I had three great helpers in the kitchen

to make our Christmas goodies.

We assembled plates and delivered to some friends.

Andrew and the kids would say we delivered way too many.

I think it took us four hours.

I loved it, though.

So fun to wish our loved ones Merry Christmas in person.

The kids even got some early presents while we were out!

We got home in time to start making our big Christmas Eve dinner!

The kids decided we needed to use every single candle in the house.

Ummmm...fire hazard?

A family favorite:  the crab legs!!

MY favorite: artichokes!

Martinelli's toast.

Skol!

Sibling gifts.

Love this tradition of letting them open their gifts

to each other the night before.

I love seeing them serve each other.

Care Bear's gift of Crunch Berries for her

brother who eats 4 bowls of cereal a day was perfect!

Nativity

CHRISTMAS DAY

The stockings were sitting on the sofa with care

Ready for gifts!

So, so fun.

Kelly and Tom had us over for brunch on this beautiful Christmas morning.

We ate creme brulee french toast. Decadent.

GAME WEEK

We got some fun new games for Christmas and spent 

quality time playing all of them.

We slept in, hung out, and played together all day.

LOVED IT.

7 Wonders (my new favorite)

Fluxx

Pass the Pigs

NEW YEAR'S

Ryan, Destinee, and their kids came to spend New Year's with us.
We love their family!

The girls put on a sketch comedy show for us.

We visited the science center together.

The tigers were super active.

They have an albino peacock we had never seen.

We got to feed the goats.

Love the big shark tank,

but eels creep me out when they swim.

Ringing in the new year

a couple of hours early with the kiddos.

Happy 2015!

These recorders seemed like a good idea...

for about three seconds.

The adults stayed up late and played games until midnight...

then ended up talking until 2:30 am.

Haven't pulled a night that late in a LONG time.

The weather was nice enough to sneak in one trip to the park.

We brought a volleyball and played pepper.

I miss volleyball! It's so fun!

B introduced the girls to Star Wars over the break.

We've had many a lightsaber duel.

Poor Andrew lost his legs in this one.

Grateful that Andrew-style vacations give us time to just enjoy each other and the moments that we share.