Going Plural: 2021

Christmas

This year we had Christmas in Ottumwa with my side of the family on Dec 18-19. Christmas Eve at home on the 23 and Christmas Day on the 24. Then we went to Marion for Christmas with Keenan's side on the 25-27.

Keenan and I had fun making a charcuterie board for Christmas eve! We played games then feasted and watched Polar Express with the kids.

Christmas morning the kids were so excited! We opened stockings, then had a candlelit waffle and bacon breakfast, then the kids opened gifts, and Keenan and I read our Christmas letters to each other. We had a fantastic dinner of steak with herb butter, potato, asparagus, and garlic bread. I didn't take any more pictures of Christmas eve or day at home. Too busy just enjoying the moment!

Christmas morning waffles with bacon

Christmas eve charcuterie board

The 25th was the day after Christmas for us. The kids enjoyed a relaxing morning playing and I packed for Marion and baked gingerbread. The gingerbread made the house smell amazing! The kids also played a short game of D&D with Dad. I got to help Nora do her part.

Enjoying the kinetic sand from their stockings

D&D

Christmas in Marion

Riley just opened a gift from Piper!

Winter solstice: Dec 21

We made sunbread(it is from a picture book) to discuss what the solstice is! It made for a fun cozy evening. They were looking forward to the yummy bread and a candlelit dinner.

Decorating for Christmas and Sugar Cookies

Every year they look forward to getting to decorate and eat the sugar cookies. They tend to consume a lot of sprinkles in the process!

Main Street Magic

Riley and I planned our calendar so that we could include all the traditions that we wanted this Christmas season. She also asked if we could go on a carriage ride. I said no, that I didn't know how to make that possible. Then shortly after I noticed that main street was having an event that included carriage rides!

They also saw santa getting ready to take up his post to visit with children and they really wanted to go see him so we did that too and they had a great time! Before we left he told Nora to remember not to get into everything all the time and reminded Riley not to leave things out so she couldn't. The look on their faces was hilarious!

It was a beautiful warm evening, the store windows were gorgeous( that was on Riley's list), and we went into the bookstore. They like the dog in the bookstore but it was home that evening.

Gingerbread Houses 2021

This is my favorite Christmas tradition. This year we had some friends over to enjoy it with us! I tried a new gf recipe and they turned out great! Riley helped to hold the trees while the frosting dried and she got candy ready for each person.

They love devouring their houses afterwards! It starts to look a bit like something destroyed a gingerbread village though!