Christmas Rocked!

Our Christmas break was very low-key the first week. The kids got out of school on Friday, then we had nothing planned until Christmas Eve on Wednesday. It was actually great to just hang out at home and enjoy the beautiful snow. On Sunday, we had a "fancy" Christmas dinner with just our family.


On Monday, Sadie and Dad made a snowman when Dad got home from work. Cute fella.

This was definately a WHITE Christmas! It snowed so much on Christmas Day that we didn't dare venture away from home. It was perfect, though. Here's the back deck, all piled up.

The kids like to sleep all together on the basement family room floor on Christmas Eve. When the pre-determined time finally ticks on the clock (this year it was 6:30,) they stand at the bottom of the stairs and yell "Mom? Dad?" Sure enough, it was 6:29 on the dot when we heard the call and rubbed our sleepy eyes. Jeremy loves to play it up and make it a little more exciting to come up the stairs. Check out the roll of wrapping paper he hung from the overhang. Landon tore through it as he ascended the steps. The blanket helps to ensure there's no peeking!

Sadie had written a letter to Santa with a few questions from Max, so that he could answer them when he was here. They folded up the letter and put it in Max's stocking. It was hanging from the hook when they came up. This was the first thing that Landon picked up and read, even before digging into his stocking! I love how the older kids get into the whole Santa thing. It's just as fun for them as it is the believers!

Here's what the letter said:

Dear Santa,
We are going to ask you a couple questions. First, how bright is Rudolph's nose? Second, how cold is the North Pole? Third, how tired are you after this long? Fourth, how old are you? Fifth, how long have you been married to Mrs. Clause?
Sincerely,
The Fillmore Family.

Notice how the "couple of questions" turned into five. :) Santa actually had some great answers:

1) Rudolph's nose is so bright, it lights up the sky 100 yeards in front of my sleigh.

2) It can get down to 40 below some times!

3) So tired, I sleep for two days straight.

4) My age is my secret.

5) We have been married for over 200 years.

Love,

Santa Clause

The one thing that Max asked Santa for was the Lego Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom set. And thank heaven Santa pulled through, because it was OUT at all the stores! Max had it all assembled by mid-morning. By the way, check out Sadie's homemade advent calendar hanging in the background. Isn't it great?

Sadie loves creating with yarn. So we got her a hat loom and some crochet hooks and lots of yarn. Awesome!
Landon's main gift was an iPod docking clock radio. He was so excited about this one!

And Bennett, he loved it all! He just took it all in and played happily all day. We decided that Christmas Day is the one day of the whole year that the kids are content, playing together without any fights. It's heaven.


When I finally decided to take the tree down yesterday (January 5,) Bennett got really mad.
"Mom what are you DOING?"
"I'm taking down the Christmas tree."
"WHAT? Don't take down the Cwismas tree!"
"But Christmas is over."
"It's OVER?? It's not OVER!"

A year is a long time for a 3-year-old to wait for all this good stuff to happen again.