Boxing day

The day after Christmas is also a holiday in the UK called Boxing day. We decided to go to London for boxing day but the trains were not running, so we drove our car into central London and parked our mini van right next to a bright yellow Lamborghini. Sweet.

The kids and I in front of Marble Arch. It was originally designed as the main entrance to Buckingham Palace, but it was too narrow for the huge coaches, so they moved it here to the sight of the old Tyburn gallows, where until 1783 the city's most notorious criminals were hanged in front of crowds.

We stopped at the Hyde Park Christmas Market. This is my only taste of a Christmas market this year (sniff, sniff) since our trip to Germany was ruined.

We walked down Oxford Street and spotted Hamley's. That's right! A famous 6 story toy store. The kids were ecstatic!

A really cool British car that the boys liked.

Our visit to Trafalgar Square. The huge Christmas tree to the left of the fountain is sent to Britain each December from the city of Oslo in Norway as thanks for wartime help.

Playing with the kids near Buckingham palace.

The kids checking out the guards near Buckingham palace.

It was different to drive, walk and take a taxi instead of taking the train and the underground. It was a great day in London.

Christmas Eve

We had the Barron's over for Christmas Eve dinner. They have kids around the same ages as our kids which meant that we had 8 kids under the age of 7 :) It was loads of fun for all of us. They brought delicious brussel sprouts with bacon to add to our traditional Christmas eve dinner. We also added Yorkshire puddings to the menu this year. Luke ate 5 Yorkshire puddings for dinner. I'm not kidding.

After friends, dinner, and opening new jammies, we read the Christmas story from the Bible. Luke graduated from playing baby Jesus to being a shepherd. He adored baby Jesus.

A fantastic Christmas

We had some friends over for Christmas Eve dinner and they asked our kids if their stockings were placed by their beds. Our stockings are usually by the fireplace, but the boys decided to put their stockings by their beds instead. Mary didn't want Santa coming into her room. She loves the presents but isn't so fond of the big guy with the beard. So she and Luke left their stockings by the fireplace.
We decided that having the boys stockings by their bed is fantastic. They were awake before anyone and they were able to go through their stockings while the rest of us woke up. I loved it because the stockings weren't just an after thought. It got them excited for what was still downstairs.

Luke got a head start for the rush into the family room.

My favorite part of Christmas morning is opening the kids homemade presents. Last year it was hand print bookmarks. This year Michael wrote a book and dedicated it to his mom and dad. What a treasure.

One of my other favorite Christmas traditions is the ornaments that my mom and dad send to each of our kids every year. It's always fun to see what our new ornament is going to be. Here's the boys adding their new ornaments to our tree.

Jammies all day and new toys. How can it get any better?

Some of Todd's Christmas joy :)

Me (sporting my new jammies) and Luke in his new football shirt. He is so yummy.

Todd helping Michael with Legos.

Michael

Benjamin

Mary

Luke

Merry Christmas 2009

We're supposed to be in Germany right now...

...but this is what we faced yesterday morning when we arrived at the English Channel to cross over into Europe. It was a complete disaster. Several trains broke down in the tunnel and service was cancelled indefinitely. They closed the exit to the Channel Tunnel terminal and cars were left to rot on the motorway. Luckily, we had guts enough after an hour and a half to lift that barrier to the left and drive on through so that we could turn around and try another option. We tried a ferry, but so did everyone else that couldn't take the train. Nobody was getting out of the UK and nobody was getting in...

To make a long story short, we headed back home. After a 24 hour trip, we were only 2 hours from home, so it wasn't too bad.

We were bummed though. This is how the kids felt about it.

They say it rarely snows in London...

...but this is 2 winters in a row that we wish we would've brought our snow shovel and sleds. School was cancelled today and Todd stayed home from work due to the snow. We love a good snow day! So, after a chocolate chip pancake breakfast, the kids put on their snow gear. The snow pants from Colorado are getting too small but we made them work again :)

Luke stayed at the door and thought about it for a while.

This is as far as he got.

So, what do you use when you don't have a snow shovel? A broom...

A rake...

And finally a bigger broom...

Town Christmas fair

Our town held their annual Christmas fair on the High Street (main street) last night. It was so charming with lights, music, rides, entertainers and food. We had a great time.


The double-decker bus ride that the kids went on.


There were all sorts of entertainers for the kids. This guy was hilarious. Benjamin was quick to tell him that his 'magic flower' wasn't really magic at all. He pointed to the button that made it work.


There were food booths all over the place. Candy floss anyone?


The swan ride that the kids went on.

Mary's nursery play

Mary (as Mary) co-starred with Horacio (as Joseph) as the lead in the school play. It was absolutely adorable.

Here they are on their journey to Bethlehem. Emily (the donkey) led the way.

Our little Mary. Too sweet for words.

The play was followed by a visit from Father Christmas. I didn't get a picture because Mary still keeps her distance from Santa. She took the present from him but only with me holding her hand.

And no Christmas get together is complete without mince pies.

When we got home it was almost like Valentine's day. Mary opened her 'Happy Christmas' cards from her friends.