We've had a few issues with our computer lately, hence the lack of holiday posts.  I'm glad that I married someone who knows everything about computers, because after all of the blue screens we were getting, I would have had to take it somewhere to get fixed, when really all it needed was a good vacuum and some $12 thermal compound.  Onward and upward!

Grandma kindly offered to spend the day with the kids so that Anthony and I could go out for his birthday.  We went to see  The Hobbit in hfr 3D - what a visual thrill!  Afterward, we braved the crowds at Fashion Place 4 days before Christmas (not my brightest idea) to have a relaxing lunch at Redrock Brewery.  I still dream of that bruschetta!  After some appetizers, we weren't starving, so we ordered our food to go so that we'd have a delicious dinner without having to cook.  Connor and Alaina kept grandma busy while we were gone, and we all had some cake together when we got home.










The night before Christmas Eve, our elf Tinsel left us a cute note to say goodbye after a fun holiday season with us.







Christmas Eve was a whirlwind of cooking!  We made cookies for Santa and the neighbors..













Next year I will definitely make the dough ahead of time so that we can focus more on what the kids really wanted to do - cut them out and decorate!  Alaina was so excited that she began to make "cookies" out of flour.




She thought that she was flying under the radar when she'd sneak chocolate chips.




That flour-covered face only says one thing - "BUSTED"!




While we were making cookies, Anthony was slaving away on "The Best Lasagna Recipe Ever".  This Christmas Eve was full of lessons.  In an effort to make a special dinner that the kids would eat, we googled lasagna recipes and went with the one with 500 5-star ratings, never having tried it.  This labor of love took about 6 hours to make, and none of us really liked it.  Next year we want to spend more time enjoying each other and less time cooking!  That said, there really is nothing like watching your man in the kitchen.  Mmmhmm.




We were happily surprised with a visit from Grandma and Grandpa!  It was so nice to be able to spend a few hours with them, playing Christmas carols and the piano and the kids excitedly showing them their every possession.







We enjoyed a nice candle-lit dinner together.




It's not Christmas Eve without crackers!   The kids loved their little toys and hats.




(Forgive my face.  Anthony was using potty humor to get Alaina to smile, and I was trying to emphasize the absurdity of what he was saying.)




After each opening one present from Anthony and I, the kids put out the cookies we'd made and some milk for Santa.




Once everyone was fast asleep, Santa came!







This picture shows what their first glimpse of the family room would be on Christmas morning!