Christmas 2015

Christmas break began with a trip to Grandma and Grandpa Cheney's for a quick sleepover. We spent the night Sunday and stayed Monday. Dan worked from Charlottesville and Dad had to work, too, but we were able to meet them both for lunch at Bodo's.

We also decorated sugar cookies with 13-year-old sprinkles. They still tasted good.

Tuesday I spent the day getting ready for the Dursts, who arrived later that night. We visited a little bit and then hit the sack.

Wednesday the Dursts wanted to do some Christmas shopping so Dan took them out for the morning. We hung out at home most of the day (the weather was pretty crummy the whole time they were here - raining a ton) and ate an early dinner so that we could go to Miracle of Christmas.  Miracle of Christmas is a live nativity that is put on by the owners of the Richmond Metro Zoo. They do it for three nights each year and it was the last night, so I really wanted to go. It was lightning and thundering and pouring down rain when we got there. We waited outside under a pavillion for a while, then we were ushered into a big room where everyone squeezed in. Normally there's a musical performance and then the live nativity - both outside. Because of the weather they did the musical performance inside and then we waited until the weather cleared to watch the nativity. It was beautiful! The experience took a lot longer than it should have because of the rain, but I'm glad we went.

 Sam's on the verge of making his cross-eyed face...

Thursday, Christmas Eve, we decided to go to Christmas Town. It's when Busch Gardens transforms into a light-covered holiday wonderland. It was raining again.

 but we had already bought out tickets so it was Christmas Town or bust! (Really we would have just turned around if it was raining like that when we got there, but fortunately it wasn't.)

We stopped for some BBQ on the way at Pierce's Pitt.

 When we got there, it wasn't dark yet so we did a few of the rides they had open (most were closed)

 and met up with G&G Cheney to go watch a Christmas show. It was way too over-the-top. When we got out, it was getting dark so we took a nice train ride around to see the lights. That was the best part.

I don't think I'd go back, but at least now I know!

We got home, ate some quick dinner, watched a nativity video and put the kids to bed to prepare for Christmas morning.

 Christmas morning the kids came down and saw their stockings.

Then we had some delicious chunky bread prepared by G&G Cheney. After breakfast we all opened our presents.

The kids wasted no time in breaking in their new toys. Afton recruited G&G Cheney to help her with her new chemistry set.

 While Sam got to work on his new hot wheels garage.

 I wanted to get cute "first Christmas" pictures of Eli, but he was feeling sickly and didn't really cooperate...

The weather was really nice - like 70 degrees or something. So Dan cooked the ham on the grill while I used the ovens for other things.

 (Dan built that pergola, by the way. Have I ever put a picture of it on here before?)

After our feast.

 And for some reason, our own American Gothic Christmas dinner picture. I think it was Dad's idea.

 I can't believe I was the only one who was cracking!

 G&G Cheney played a fun drawing game with Afton and me while everyone else went on a walk. Then they headed back home.

Later that night I remembered two presents that I had totally forgotten to give to Afton. Oops! So I gave her those. I had one for Sam, too. Not sure where my mind is.

The Dursts bought us Settlers of Cataan so they played that with Dan and Sam.

While I tried again to take pictures of Eli in his new jammies from G&G Cheney.

Saturday our little family went to Walmart early to buy Christmas stuff on sale (Dan wants a Griswold-like Christmas house in the future and he's building up a little each year). Then G&G Durst and everyone except me and Eli went to clean the church since it was our turn. Afton and Sam worked on her new lego set.

After naps, we decided to go to the art museum for a little while.

That night we played Ticket to Ride.

Sunday Dan had early meetings. The kids and took a walk around the neighborhood because it was amazing!!!!!! In the 70s. So glorious.

Grandpa Durst and Eli bonded.

 We went to church, had dinner, and played more games.

The Dursts were supposed to go home Monday, but their flight got cancelled, so they stayed an extra night. Monday we went to Chick-fil-a and tried to go bowling but the wait was 2 hours. So instead we looked at some pretty great Christmas lights.

It was a fun visit and a nice Christmas. The rest of the time, the kids and I pretty much just hung out. We went to G&G Cheney's one more time for the day, took down the Christmas stuff, and got ready to ring in the new year!