5 Days of Christmas

This year for Christmas we stayed in Florida and spent the holiday with our little family. We were sad not to be with our families. It was hard being States away and knowing that all our family was together. Yet, we did enjoy skyping our families, hearing of their adventures, and receiving fun presents/cards. Leif got a total of 5 days off during Christmas break so it made our not seeing family a little easier. We enjoyed being together as a little family, and had a lot of fun. Warning... this post is LONG... it is 5 days long...a lot happened.... but if you are my friend.... you will read it ALL... right?

Our fun started on Christmas Eve. The babies and I went for a long bike-ride, while Leif worked out. We then got ourselves ready for Christmas Eve by making Santa Sugar Cookies. Savannah and Micah truly loved decorating along with eating spoonfuls of frosting!!! The end looked like real modern art.

That evening we went to a Christmas Devotional at a Methodist Church down the road. As we walked in, each person was given glow lights. The twins had a lot of fun dancing to Christmas Music with their lights!!! I brought a bag full of activities for them (in case they got board) but never had to use it. I would say that this Devotional was a lot like a Christmas Concert.
Our new family tradition is Pajama Pant!!! Each year Leif buys me pajama pants and I buy him a pair. It's fun to see what we pick out for each other. And this year my sister go the twins a pair of Santa Pajamas. We each have a Christmas Tin for our PJ's and we get to open it on Christmas Eve. We then read the Nativity from Luke and use little figurines to act it out. As a night song we sing Away in a Manger and then fall asleep in our new PJ's.

Christmas morning started early. Grandma and Grandpa Kanooth got a Red-Radio-Flyer-Wagon for the twins. Leif and I set out the wagon by the Christmas Tree and put presents inside. Together we feed the kids their milk and changed them in their room. We then let them free to see their presents. Micah ran right to the Wagon and tried climbing inside. Savannah looked around, watched Micah, and then ran right to the handle. She started pulling the wagon with Micah inside!!!
We let them each open one present (a purse and a truck) before having a nice breakfast of Waffles, strawberries, whip cream and eggs. Both Savannah and Micah insisted on eating with their new toys, and wouldn't let go! We then opened our stockings and presents. It was so fun watching the twins get excited about each present. They loved the excitement and we loved watching them.


We then went to Church and had a really nice service. After church the twins took a nap while Leif and I enjoyed ourselves. After naps we headed over to the Reese's Home for Christmas Dinner. We had a really nice Turkey Dinner with mashed potatoes, stuffing, salad, pees, rolls, and blackberry pie. After dinner Jefra gave Micah a Christmas Haircut. We then talked, ate pie and enjoyed ourselves, while the kids played well together (look at the attached picture). It is really nice to have friends, when family is not around. Jefra has become a really dear friend who is willing to do anything with me. I appreciate her friendship.
On the day after Christmas we played with our toys!!! We even went to the park with "the red wagon". Leif pulled the wagon all around the tennis court and the kids loved it. Leif and I then played a match in tennis with the kids as our ball-girl/boy. After tennis we took them to the park and played until nap time. While the kids slept Leif and I watch a movie (Takers) and then enjoyed our Christmas Meal all over again. On the day after-after-Christmas (Dec 27th) we used our museum pass and went to the John & Mable Ringling Museum along with the G-Wiz Museum in Sarasota. The Ringling Museum was awesome!!! John Ringling had an Estate with his Mansion, rose garden, secret garden, and art gallery. There was also a building with original cages for animal, train, posters, and photos. There was a huge tent full of fun circus memorabilia/videos. There was a miniature figurine exhibit of a train circus. There really was a lot to do. The kids had a lot of fun running around Estate. I learned a lot about circus in the 1930's and would have loved to see a show back then. ( Oh the G-Wiz children's museum was fun too).



On the day after-after-after-Christmas (Leif's last day off) we relaxed! The kids and I went to story time at the library in the morning. After naps Leif and I use one of our Gift Cards and went on a REAL DATE (meaning without the kids) to Red Lobster. It was really good food. We didn't order dessert, but got a gallon of ice-cream from the store. After the kids went to bed we watch The Help and ate our ice-cream. It was a nice and relaxing day. THE END!!!