Christmas in Review

Well, it's the end of 2009, and what a year it was! I don't know if it's just me, or did this year just fly by? It's hard for me to believe that Christmas is already over, and now we are preparing ourselves to welcome 2010.

Sorry, this post is going to be a long one!

This Christmas went a little differently as planned. Dan's parents' planned their Christmas dinner for 4:00pm, so we decided to hit up my parents' place first. We woke up Christmas day, and I woke up pretty early because I was just so excited that it was Christmas, and I have to say, I haven't felt that way that early in the morning in a long time! Dan was surprised that I was the one dragging him out of bed instead of the other way around. I think the cats were just as excited too.

We finally got up and looked in our stockings that Dan so graciously organized for everyone, then opened our presents from each other.

I got Dan a tie-organizer (which he asked for last year, but I couldn't find a good one), a little vacuum cleaner for his car (he loves keeping his car clean...on the outside at least. I thought this one might help him a little), a hat that he actually picked out so I can't take credit for that one, and cologne.

We didn't want to spend too much this year because we have other goals in mind. I have to admit though, that Dan didn't spend much at all! He had me believe that he hadn't even started shopping until a couple days before Christmas. Then I found these wrapped up under the tree...

Yup, that's a fruit cup, an empty toad head candy container, a pack of jello mix, and an empty cologne box. But there was a little note attached to each one. So I had to go find my presents around the house so that there was no way that I would guess what my presents were by looking at them all wrapped up under the tree! The first one I opened was the fruit cup which had a note "look in the bathroom cupboard", then the toad head with "look in the linen closet", then the jello pack with "look behind the computer monitor" (which he hid that one on my pillow because he had me wait in the computer room so that he could get ready), then finally the cologne box with " look behind the couch". And this in what I got in that order...

If you can't see them in the picture that well, Dan got me a small jewelry box with my named engraved in it so that Izzie can't steal my earrings off my nightstand anymore (I'm still missing one), a sweater that looks like the one he got me last year but accidentally shrunk it in the wash on me (I think this one is even better), another cute red sweater, and last but not least, a Wii Fit Plus!! I really wanted a Wii Fit Plus, but knew that it would be sort of out of our budget for Christmas, but Dan got it for me :) What a great husband I have. Now I actually kind of feel bad for the few gifts that I got him. Good thing his birthday is coming up at the end of January so maybe I can try to make up for it. All in all, Christmas morning was so great! After opening our gifts, we made a delicious breakfast, played in the Wii Fit Plus, then got ready to head into Carstairs.

I just wanted to mention that this was Izzie's first Christmas, and I think she enjoyed it!

We arrived at my parents' house to find Kimberly, and my mom still in their pj's, and my dad. My brother Arlen and my sister Tammy and her family were supposed to be there too, but they didn't make it in time before we left for Dan's parents' place. I was pretty sad about it because I was really looking forward to seeing them. My mom told me afterward that we missed seeing my brother by about 3 minutes! I hope I will be able to see him soon, because it has already been a really long time since the last time that I saw him.

My parents did a really good job for Christmas this year! My mom tends to buy a lot of little things, mostly Christmas things, from the dollar store or other inexpensive places, which sometimes we don't use them all the time. However this year there was none of that! The first gift that I opened was a blender! But not just any blender, it was a blender that she had in her house all boxed up, unopened for years. I had my eye on it the whole time, and this year I finally got it! (thanks mom!) Maybe next year I'll get that Kitchen Aid that's been there for even longer *hint*hint* We also got the DVD Marley and Me (which I love!) with a Costco gift card taped to the back. Very sneaky mom and dad. A lot of us got a nice 72 hour emergency kit for a family of four. It even has coloring books! We also for a nice glass laser etched nativity scene, complete with a lighted base. Kimberly had me for Christmas this year and she gave me earrings as part of my gift. My parents also got all the married couples in the family a beautiful picture of Jesus, and we got this one of Jesus with children, which was framed.

After we said our goodbyes for the day to my parents and Kimberly, we traveled back into Calgary to Dan's parents' house to eat dinner at 4:00pm. It was so good too! Grandma Reese, and Spencer and Laurie and their 3 boys were there too. After dinner we opened gifts. Once again this year, Dan's parents' rented a beach house for the August Vacation! We are super excited! I also got a few lotions from Dan's mom and we also got some cash. This year we had Spence and Laurie's family for Christmas, and we got them a couple helicopter-type flying balls with lights, some toad-head candy and a chocolate train. It was really nice spending time with everyone there. Christmas Day was really busy for us, but at the same time it was quite relaxing. We then went home and just relaxed with our pets for the rest of the day.

Boxing day came and Dan had to work at 6:00am. Best Buy was crazy! I went for a little visit and it was so crowded! Then Dan told me that I should go and check out the new Banana Republic Outlet store a couple doors down. I don't normally like shopping there because I get so sad when I see something that I like and it's super expensive. But I went anyway to check it out, and it's a good thing I did! I got 5 tops, including a couple sweaters, for just over $61.00! What a great deal! I don't normally shop on boxing day because I just don't think it's worth the long waits and crowds of people everywhere, plus the horrible traffic. I guess this year was an exception. At about 4:00pm was the Olsen family dinner held at Kristie's house. I think everyone had a good time there. The only person missing was my brother Arlen. I miss seeing him. I feel like I don't know who he is anymore, and I miss that. Maybe this next year that will change. After dinner, more gifts were exchanged and Dan and I got a Magic Bullet! Then we just visited with one another. And of course, more family pictures were taken.

My work was closed the next Monday, and it was probably a good thing too because that day I got the flu. I was pretty bummed out, but we didn't have much planned for that day anyways. I can't remember the last time I got that sick. But hey, at least I lost a bunch of that "Christmas weight"!

I am most grateful that I was able to spend time with my family and loved ones. I think that is the best thing about this Christmas season, and I wish it could happen more than just once a year just for that purpose. I am grateful for the true meaning of Christmas and for the gospel that I am apart of.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas 2009, and cheers to the New Year 2010!