Christmas!

My goodness, Christmas went by so fast! I know that it always does, but I had been feeling like the days were going by at a pace I was comfortable with...and suddenly it is December 27th. Yikes.

We definitely took advantage of the holiday season and did plenty of Christmasy stuff.

1. We went to WildLights at the Woodland Park Zoo. It was their first attempt at Zoo Lights, and was maybe a little bit disappointing. Most of the Zoo was closed off, with only the reptile house being open to see animals...I know that in the evening the animals have been put to bed...but if there isn't anything to see, then the entry should be cheaper. They did have a reindeer, which was a highlight. There were a few light structures put together in the shapes of animals, but mostly they just put lights around the trees and buildings. I mean, it wasn't awful...we enjoyed walking through and chatting with our friends...BUT, I think the Woodland Park Zoo can do a better job...hopefully next year.

2. We went to a holiday concert. Usually I go to The Round's Holiday show, but we missed it this year. I was also hoping to make it to the Cathedrals show...but again, that didn't work out. But boy, we did go to a Holiday Spectacular...the "The Surfjohn Stevens Christmas Sing-A-Long Seasonal Affective Disorder Yuletide Disaster Pageant On Ice"...woo. There was a giant wheel of fortune type wheel that was spun to decide which song we would sing next. There was confetti galore, blow up unicorns, dancing and singing, lights....it was a little bit crazy...but a lot of fun. My favorite parts of the show didn't include all of the craze...my favorite parts were when they sang slow, pretty Christmas songs. It was definitely an event to get into the holiday spirit.

3. Christmas parties. We went to a few, and I LOVE Christmas parties.I just don't feel like there are very many opportunities to get dressed up anymore...but Christmas parties invite sparkle. I also love all of the tasty treats that come out. I tried a new appetizer that I found on pinterest that turned out to be a big hit...I thought they were pretty (and again, sparkly), but they were actually pretty delicious too. The cranberries were soaked in maple syrup overnight and then rolled in sugar...then put them on top of some brie and a cracker...easy and yum. And then, of course, Christmas parties are a time to see some of your favorite people that aren't just family. I don't actually like the white elephant gift exchanges...probably more just right now because I don't have ANY room for stuff I don't need! But, those are still fun to open and laugh.

4. Christmas movies...Brian and I were Christmas movie slackers this year. I didn't see Christmas vacation until...like the 23rd. Miracle on 34th St was on at my parents house on Christmas Eve, and then Home Alone was on at Brian's parents on Christmas Day. I found Love Actually on sale at Target the day after Christmas, so we watched that one a few days late. We got a few in at the last minute.

5. And then the crazy family running around for the actual Christmas days. We did the same thing this year as last...didn't want to leave any family traditions out between the two of us, so we spent a good amount of time on the road going from one place to the next. It really isn't as bad as it might sound...we start up in Shoreline for an early-ish dinner with the Terreson's and grandparents, then to my grandma's in Des Moines for the end of the meal/present opening. There are always a ton of people there, so the present opening is crazy chaos...everyone tearing packages apart at once- kids pulling their new toys out (Brian finding the cool boy toys and joining in on that playing). Then we drive down to Bonney Lake and catch up with my parents. Go to sleep there and wake up Christmas morning to Santa's surprises, and delicious Christmas bread. Then we pack up the car and head back up to Shoreline for 'Christmas Morning' (afternoon) with the Terreson's and then to grandparents for dinner. Busy, but great. We have done this for two years now, but I think we might change the plan up next year...we'll see...we need to create some of our own traditions.

6. And then one of my favorite traditions is getting up early (ish), and meeting my mom for day-after-christmas-shopping. We used to get up at the CRACK of dawn to hit up the Disney store...but the Disney store isn't what it used to be, so it isn't much of a priority anymore. We still get up earlier than we need to (every year we say 'we really could meet later') and wander around a mall together. Mostly just to chat and sit in a Starbucks. I love it.

And now Christmastime is over for another year. Sad. It's kind of like leaving Disneyland...you know you will be back, you know Christmas will come again in a year....but it just seems SO FAR AWAY.