Christmas Eve:
Church was at 4, so we needed to get naps in quick. We unloaded everything and packed into the basement of the Noland's. Lee, Jenna, and their new baby Levi were already there so we filled the rest of the basement. We met my parents and Grandma at church. This was the first year my Grandpa wasn't able to join us for Christmas as his health has him in a nursing home in Mayville. My brother was also missing because he is working for the second year in Phoenix. After church we went to my parents for the infamous Lutefisk and lefsa Christmas Eve dinner. The girls opened some presents before dinner while we awaited the arrival of Ron and Linda. Megan ended up missing Christmas Eve all together. She didn't nap well and needed to go to bed. After dinner, Jade and I handed out presents and the unwrapping of all gifts began. I think Jade got her hand on every present to "help" unwrap! She had a blast. She wanted all her gifts to be taken out of the boxes right away. There was no waiting. We finished with gifts and hurried back to Noland's to get the kids to bed.
Christmas Day:
Santa came to the Noland's! Once everyone was up, we had breakfast and began to unwrap more gifts. Again, Jade had to have her hand on most presents! Once finished, we had brunch and relaxed for the day!
Present review: Jade got skates from Santa, books, dolls, barbies, Sophia the first stuff, movies, games. Megan got toys and books. Nate got clothes, slippers, money. I got clothes, money, a new coat, cookie jar and apron.
The rest of the holiday fun:
Nate went out fishing the day after Christmas in their new ice house, so I packed up the girls and I to go to my parents and spend some time. Jade had a fever on Christmas and Megan seemed to have a little cough. I was hoping they weren't getting sick, but also didn't want Levi to get sick. Speaking of Levi...he is a great baby. Lee and Jenna got lucky. I don't think I heard him cry once! He seemed pretty content! I took Jade swimming one morning at the fitness center up there. It takes her awhile to warm up to swimming and become daring enough to not hang on to me, but I think she had a great time. Nate stayed one night out at the ranch and then came to my parents house when he got back. We were able to play at the Halstenson's for a night too. I can't believe how big their boys are compared to Megan. They are about 6 weeks older than Megan, but are just huge compared to her!
New Years:
For NYE, we headed to Bemidji to spend it with the Aube's. Talk about a packed house there! There were 13 adults and 4 babies under the age of 9.5 months and Jade at age 3. Almost everyone stayed the night there too! This was our first night staying with the four of us in one room! We stayed with all of us in a room when Megan was a baby and didn't have a bed time...but never have since she's not such a baby anymore. We were nervous about the girls waking each other up all night, but they did great. We got to Bemidji at nap time and of course neither kiddo wanted to nap. Jade ended up not napping and just going to be early and Megan was able to get a short nap in. We aren't sure what Megan's deal was, but she was up from 10:30-2. Neither Nate nor I could get her to go back to sleep and when you're sharing a room and house with a bunch of other people, you can't just let her cry so we had to wait for her to finally fall asleep. The best part of it was that both kids slept until about 8:30. Aube's had smoked a pork roast all day and it was fantastic. The "party" was held in the man cave which worked out great with all the sleeping babies. There were probably 80 games of ping pong played that night! I unfortunately rang in the new year rocking Megan...but I'm sure there were toasts made in the man cave! We headed back home in the morning after breakfast.
It is so good to be home! Christmas decorations are down and the house is back to normal...
A quick year in review:
February - closed on our new house in Fergus Falls
March - Welcomed Megan Grace to our family
Spring/Summer - landscaped around the house, bought a boat, "bought" a paddle board, went to a couple weddings, hung out at Arrowwood Resort while Nate worked
July 4 - Spent the long weekend at the cabin with the whole Noland clan
August - Had our first Noland summer bash party
Fall - Nate hunted, Jade started ECFE classes
Winter...still waiting for snow!