We headed up to Coeur d'Alene for Christmas last year. It was our first Christmas spent not alone since the Christmas of 2011! Wowzers. That's what happens when you have both sets of parents on missions and stuff. Anyway, with everyone back in the country, there was no way I was spending another Christmas alone.
There was no snow when we got there, but we woke up to some snow on Christmas Eve which was totally magical:
It melted/rained on it by the end of the day, though, and we did not wind up with a white Christmas.
The reason for the season.
Here we are working on THE WORST PUZZLE OF ALL TIME.
It was awful.
Fast forward-- here she is completed:
We had to take a picture since it was that bad and annoying and as much work as it was.
Puzzle, may you torture the future unlucky soul that receives you as a white elephant gift.
Miles, having a pajama day and wearing Grandma Sally's Christmas socks. He would steal a different pair of Christmas socks from her each day.
Christmas Eve nativity with family:
Miles was the reader.
Christmas morning was a bit of a bummer because Miles didn't wake us up! We wanted to be with him when he saw what Santa brought, but he said, "It was right there!" Also, he woke my mom up first because he loves her more. We were sad to miss that Christmas morning magical moment, but here I am telling about it, so I guess we survived.
Christmas morning.
It was a tradition in my family to make your bed and lay out all your gifts nicely so we could show my Grandma when she'd come over.
Then I just goofed around and took pictures of some of our gifts:
Legos are so cool.
That Concept Cars book from my Mom and Dad was for sure one of Miles' favorite gifts.
Santa totally delivered all that Miles could have dreamed of, including a new puck.
Miles and I got Dave a cookbook he'd been wanting (from the chef of his favorite Mexican restaurant here in Houston) and a "gift card" to said restaurant. On the day I had set aside to take Miles to buy the gift card, we were kind of low on time and I knew, though not far, it was going to take forever to get there because we live in Houston so I came up with the time saving wonderful idea of having Miles make the gift card. Oooo, yes, fancy and thoughtful, I know. Seriously, though, it's the same difference; the money will come from the same bank account! Miles was equal parts very happy, excited and thoroughly confused by the logistics of the whole deal, but willingly participated in my plan and decided Dad deserved $90 worth of eating at Hugo's. Marvelous. If you want to confuse a kid on how a gift card works, have them "make" it. Anyhow, Dave loved the personal touch and was totally on board with my logical plan. Success.
Miles got Chinese checkers and just played with the marbles until we taught him how to play the game. I don't know if I've ever mentioned on here before how incredible Miles is at games? He's so smart and so great at picking up games that are well beyond his years. He always has been like that.
Miles and Dave picked me out some super pretty earrings.
Just as we were putting Miles to bed, I realized we hadn't taken a DAM picture together, so Dave snapped one on his funny phone and we called it a night.
It was a great Christmas and such a nice break from Houston/life. I came back so incredibly rejuvenated and happy, it was palpable. Also kind of depressing to realize in a new way/on a different level just how unhappy I've been here. Anyway, that came out and I don't feel like I can backspace it out.
Christmas was great! Goodbye!
