Christmasy Four-Day Weekend

What a weekend!  We squeezed every ounce of Christmasy goodness out of this one!

Thursday was Brian’s and my nine year anniversary so we both took the day off from work to hang out together.  We did our standard breakfast at Panera (accompanied by coffee from Starbs) followed by a bit more Christmas shopping, and then we had lunch at Chipotle.  We then spent the rest of the afternoon exchanging anniversary gifts and then sorting through all of the kids’ Christmas gifts to make sure we were all set for them for Christmas… and guess what?  We’re completely done with both of them!  Everything has been purchased, wrapped (we only wrap the gifts from us), and bagged up in black garbage bags and hidden away in my office until Christmas Eve night.  All we have left to buy now are just a few more gifts for our family members.

I’m totally patting myself on the back, you just can’t see it.  ;o)

Thursday evening we picked up the kids from school and headed straight downtown for dinner at one of our favorite pizza places followed by the tree lighting at Brian’s company.  We spent the evening eating cookies and drinking hot chocolate and listening to carolers and riding the horse and buggy.  The kids had a great time and we were able to capture a couple of pictures of the tree… the family picture didn’t quite turn out so great, though.  Such is life with wiggly babies and bad lighting.

When we got home, we got the kiddies in the bed and then B and I cracked open our anniversary cookie cake – yes, we get one every year – and it is worth every single calorie! 

Friday I was off of work to spend the day with Jacob.  His class went on a field trip to see a Christmas play and then they got to have lunch with Santa followed by a trip to one of our favorite playgrounds in the city.  It was such a great day hanging out with my sweet Boo.  I always love the one on one time with him.

Friday evening we had dinner at Panera and then we headed downtown for yet another tree lighting.  This is the one that we have been going to every year since before the babies were even born.  There is a parade and “snow” and Christmas carolers and lots of other Christmasy things to see and do.  One of our local high schools’ choir sang Christmas carols and they were just out of this world fantastic.  One of the songs that they sang was Carol of the Bells… one of my all-time favorites.  Friends, it gave me chills.  They were incredible.  If that doesn’t put you in the Christmas spirit, then I don’t know what does!

When we got home, we had our first fire in the fire place of the season, and then B and I settled in to watch some GG… we’re nearing the end of season one and I’m loving it so far!

Saturday morning we were up bright and early to have breakfast with Santa at our church.  This was the first year that we have attended and it was great!  We dined on pancakes and bacon and fresh fruit, and then the kids got to sit on Santa’s lap.  Neither of our kids were afraid of him this year!!!!  Jacob has actually never really been afraid of him, but there were a couple of years that he was a little unsure.  Olivia hated him last year… so much that I had to sit in his lap with her to get her to take a picture!  This year she walked right up to him all by herself and listened intently to whatever he was telling her.  It was oh so sweet!

After seeing Santa, the kids made some ornaments at the craft table, and then we let them play outside in the leaves for a bit.  Such a picturesque setting on our church lawn… I couldn’t resist the photo op!

Saturday afternoon and evening were spent watching the SEC Championship game, going to dinner at Longhorn with B’s fam for our nephew’s birthday, and then over to my FIL’s house for cake.  We built another fire in the fireplace Saturday night and it was about the coziest evening ever.

Sunday was cold and rainy.  We had lunch at my MIL’s and then dinner at my parents’… the usual Sunday festivities. 

It was a wonderful Christmasy weekend and we’re looking forward to another one next weekend!!

And speaking of Christmas, don’t forget I’m co-hosting a Holiday Home Tour link-up tomorrow… we hope to see your lovely homes all decked out for the holiday season!

*Linking up with B Loved Boston for Weekending.