Blended. Shaken. And Stirred.: Christmas 2015

I am getting a jump start on my New Year's resolution to keep better track of all these moments, memories, and thoughts on this blog. I never regret making the time to document our lives, so it's time to refocus on doing just that!

We have rounded the corner on the Christmas season. Another December filled to the brims with holiday activities - so much so that we couldn't even get to them all. There was the candy advent calendar that was never filled, the Disney Christmas cookbook that was never used, etc. and yet every day was another holiday adventure!

Oliver the Elf came back to visit on December 1st and his antics delighted the family once again. Joey, Logan and Emmie all had adorable Christmas music performances at school where I teared up again as per usual. Of course for Joey's performance some of those tears were tears of laughter as I was surrounded by giggling dads who could not hold it together during the 4th grade rendition of "Mom's dreaming of a brown Christmas" - it has been confirmed that all men are a mental age of 13 sometimes!

Christmas crafts were made, holiday cards sent, cookies baked, tons of Christmas movies watched and tons of popcorn consumed. We even shared our tradition of watching "It's a Wonderful Life" with Joey and Logan - and Joey actually stayed awake to watch the wonder that was his first black and white movie.

Presents were purchased for those we love, and the siblings even did a secret Santa exchange. Three trees were up and decorated, and I am seriously considering adding a fourth next year. We traveled by limo to view Christmas lights around town, took the kids to the Theater of Lights show in Old Sacramento, and went caroling through the streets of Clarksburg with the Scouts. Jeff's birthday was filled with all things Star Wars including a 3-D viewing of the new movie. Christmas Eve we gave the kids their new pajamas and super soft robes, and left cookies and carrots out for Santa. Christmas morning Papa woke everyone up to open presents and the new toys were all a hit. Later that day we were joined by more family and friends for ciopinno dinner, a couple rounds of Pie Face, and three rounds of Left Right Center which were all won by Logan (who proudly proclaimed he has the luck of the Irish - he is his father's son!).

The following day we hosted brunch for the Sahotas and continued our annual tradition with them - this year included the addition of coconut stuffed French toast, of which Patrick is a big fan.

All in all this was a fantastic holiday season!