An Emotional Mess

Not really, but he's certainly quick to throw his head back and let out a cry these last few days, and then, just as soon as it came, it goes. Too cute, for now, anyway.

White Christmas 2010

The view from the front window

Well, this isn't one we've had in some time but it isn't one residents in Evanston have had in some time, too, apparently, years.  We woke up to a lovely snow and the girls were very excited about the presents AND the white shroud that they've never encountered on a Christmas morning. 

It's been a strange winter break thus far.  Every one of us has had what I would call the stomach flu this week, everyone that is, except for Tatumn because she was lucky to avoid us during this lovely phase while being with her dad's family.  Luckily for us, everyone who's here is better, not a %100 better, but better and that's enough to celebrate Christmas because you just don't need much motivation to do that.  And while I wanted to make the season about more than gifts, thus far, it's about all I've been able to muster up the energy to do. Hopefully, we can make up for it in the upcoming week with better health. 

This year we took turns opening gifts, which is what we usually try to do. This was particularly great this year because the girls also got gifts for everyone in our family.  The school hosted a Santa's shop for its students the last week of school before winter break, and the girls got us gifts that were hand-selected by them for each family member.  It was too cute to see them and how proud they were about their purchases that ranged from change purses to earmuffs to dog toys for Raf.  Imogen particularly like this aspect of gift giving.

Rafferty.  Well, this year is a far cry from last year's experience because he's so big now, but he was still a little surprised by the tradition.  He was quiet actually.  He took it all in and, if I must say, just absolutely loved every gift he got.  Granted, I think 99% of them had a ball, but nonetheless, he was intrigued and quite impressed with them.

The girls got "pets" and sleds and games and the list goes on but not ridiculously so, I promise.  They, too, loved everything.  Hadley declared that she got everything on her wish list from Santa but she was particularly happy to get a game for her Nintendo DS, Nintendogs.  The girl lives for anthing dog-related for quite some time now.  Funny thing is she's a bit phobic to encounter one up close in reality but give her a pretend dog and she runs with a story, scenario, or drawing including them. 

After gifts, we headed to Chinatown to enjoy lunch and light shopping for the girls.  Ten dollars made them very happy girls, especially with all the trinkets there, and we left after a few hours to make our way home to play with the new toys together and relax. 

Tomorrow, we look forward to Tatumn's return, where more great gift exchanges are sure to take place.  She, too, took the initiative to get gifts for her siblings this year.  Too sweet.  Next year, we may venture out and join extended family or friends, but this year we are happy to be settled in and, not to mention, alive, after that stomach bug thing..... 

I hope everyone had as good a holiday as we did.  We truly missed everyone we weren't able to be with this time, but, as always, we missed you all and look forward to seeing you again in the upcoming year.  Merry Christmas.

Lots of love,

Eric, Danielle, Tatumn, Hadley, Imogen, & Rafferty

Day 1 = Treasure Hunt

We started small today with our calendar. We had a fun hunt with the whole, "You're getting warmer, colder, freezing and red hot!" game to find a small treat for everyone. All the girls got chap stick, including Tate, and Raf got a slinky. The tree will change every day as we take away envelopes, so the girls will know just how long til Christmas. Only a couple of days on the calendar will bring small gifts, and this was one of them. I can certainly say that chap stick is in serious order here as we're nearly dried out in this tundra. Boy is it cold out there! And with the first snow of the season today, the girls were beyond thrilled. They've already started anticipating what's in store tomorrow for the weather AND the next envelope....