Kundel Christmas

We celebrated Christmas at Scott's parents the weekend before Christmas. It is only a few hours away and we spent two nights. Michael did such a good job playing with his cousins and he had so much fun. They played hard every minute until it was late at night and Michael actually told us he was tired and wanted to go to bed--something I have never heard him say before! 

We did get caught in a little bit of a snowfall but we still made it to church on time for the childrens program. Ellie and Michael both got to be in it- singing some Christmas songs and ringing bells. Michael did a great job again and I was very proud of him! 

All the grandchildren on Scott's side. 

My sweet, not-so-little-anymore baby! 

We also spent a little bit of time making gingerbread houses out of graham crackers and candy. I included a photo of what I was doing (eating frosting) for your viewing pleasure and just so there was proof I was there!

We had a really great time spending time with family! I loved spending time with people creating our houses, playing my nephew's new game of "Headbands", and playing Just Dance. I hope everyone else had a good time, too!

I think this wraps up my Christmas posts for the year....getting ready to ring in 2014 tonight. My decorations are still up but they will come down shortly after the new year and we can start fresh with a clean slate. 

Have a great New Year's Eve Celebration! 

Christmas 2013 video

I loved our Christmas video so much last year that I decided to make it a tradition and do another one for this year! It was fun to gather little clips of our Christmas activities as we were doing things and then string them all together with some music for the final product. We are trying to get better about snagging little bits of video here and there (they are sooo fun to look at especially after a year or so) and this is a good way to keep it at the front of our thoughts. 

It is a bit long but I hope you enjoy it!

InstaFriday

I am a day late in posting this but I wanted to share some photos from my instagram feed since we were still in holiday mode. I don't know how you all feel but I feel like I just pulled off a huge event- Christmas!!- and now I am in total shutdown mode. PJ's, coffee around the clock, lots of computer work time, movies, Michael playing contently by himself....we are in a little cocoon here in our house. I also have come down with a case of tonsillitis which began on Christmas and has left me feeling very run down. I am hoping by resting I will be on the mend sooner because I have one heck of a to do list to get done for the rest of break! 

Michael got this really neat play app thing from my dad for Christmas and it is really neat! It comes with a protective screen for your ipad and it is really secure. 

Our cocoon. 

Our food! 

It has been fun being busy prepping all sorts of yummy things for Christmas. I made oven french toast for Christmas morning (a tradition) and then wild rice soup, meatballs, and a veggie tray for Christmas Eve dinner. I also like to think it is part of our tradition to do a soup on Christmas Eve- it is easy, feeds a crowd and can sit and stay warm while we are at church. 

I have loved seeing everyone's beautiful faces come through my mailbox this season. It is one of my favorite times of the year! You all have beautiful families! Even though we live in a digital world I hope the tradition of Christmas cards in the mail never dies. 

My silly boy. 

And now....our 2013 in instagram pics: 

Have a great weekend!

Christmas 2013 Recap

Happy Day After Christmas! 

disclaimer:

I debated breaking this post into several but I am doing the majority of my Christmas photos here so just bear with me. I still have ones from our celebration with Scott's family and a whole bunch from instagram and then it will be wrapped up! 

We the absolutely most awesome Christmas. Michael was so into all things Christmas and loved every minute of it. It was so fun for all the adults to watch him be excited about it all. He was very happy he got everything he asked Santa for and I also think he was happy to have all his favorite family members (all of them) around to help celebrate Christmas. 

Michael woke up at about 6:30 a.m. on Christmas morning but didn't even peek at presents before snuggling in with us for about an hour. He loved his big pile of gifts and was surprised that Santa ate his special cookies. From Santa he received a playmobil house, a very cool hot wheels track for the bathtub, the ladybug game, new BOB books, a new sticker book, new lego tub and finally the most anticipated gift of all-- Elefun! Michael had very specifically been talking about the game where the elephant eats the butterflies and I think Santa did a good job of figuring out what he meant. 

After opening presents we headed into town for Christmas Day dinner at my Uncle Bill's house. It was an awesome meal and of course we did lots of this: 

Do you guys have to endure this at your family gatherings, too? I know it is picky to do but it is so good to have everyone together in a photo just as proof we were all there at the same time. Luckily I had my remote with me and my cousin Sarah had her very nice tripod along- the perfect recipe for a group photo! I am also very good at being bossy and as a result we can see everyone's beautiful, smiling faces. 

Our fabulous hosts who shared their beautiful home and meal with us! 

My cookie tray this year, minus the sugar cookies that I never did get around to decorating (minus the three Michael and I frosted and sprinkled really fast for Santa before going to bed Christmas Eve).

Oh Christmas Eve, I hosted my family at my house for dinner after church. Michael was just buzzing with excitement about opening up presents and he was running circles around the table while we were finishing up eating. 

Just for my own record, I served wild rice soup, vegetable pizza, meatballs, vegetable tray, crackers, cheese and my sister in law Meredith brought awesome tortilla rollups. We had pie from Village Inn for dessert. 

This has been a very special Christmas because my mom is here with us and is doing so well. At the candlelight service at church the message was "Come Home" and it seemed extra meaningful as it was such a blessing to get our mom home. After the service my mom shared when she woke up from her coma her sisters were there and they said, "We are here to bring you home." 

I am so thankful this holiday to have a beautiful home filled with my beautiful family...ones that are here and ones that are in heaven. I hope that you also felt the warmth of home- wherever it is-this Christmas. 

Merry Christmas!