.

.

Monday, December 28, 2015

A Very Merry Hauck Christmas

Christmas has now come and gone. The toys are organized and have found their home in the kids' bedrooms. The Christmas tree and decorations are put away, and the lights are taken down. Anthony told me our house looks sad now, hahaha. At least there is still snow outside to play in and one whole week left to winter break! 

Our Christmas was a wonderful one! A very merry Hauck Christmas. 

When I was little, I remember always leaving a carrot for the reindeer on Santa's plate of cookies. When my siblings and I woke up in the morning, the carrot was either completely gone or there was a huge bite taken out of it. Now I wonder if my mom and dad actually ate the carrot, or just took a bite and spit it out, hahaha. In our home, we make our own reindeer food with whatever we have on hand and then find a good spot in the yard to dump it all out for the reindeer to snack on when they make their stop. This year we made our reindeer food with oats, cheerios, cranberries, and Christmas sprinkles. 


Another tradition from when I was a kid; opening up a gift on Christmas Eve! I loved that tradition so much, Sam and I decided we would uphold that tradition with our own children. This year the kiddos each got a new pair of jammies. And as an added bonus, they each got to open up a second gift....because it went so well with the jammies....handmade blankets from their Aunt Erica, Uncle Matt, and Cousin Madalynn in Vermont! So awesome!!  


After getting my annual "kids in front of the Christmas tree" photo, we set out our notes to Santa, along with his milk and cookies, then we all snuggled on the couch to watch Elf. Once the movie was done, it was off to bed! 


It didn't take long for the kids to fall asleep, they were all tuckered out from playing in the snow and sledding earlier in the day. Once the kiddos were sound asleep, Mama and Papa got to work! I love playing Santa! While I set out the Santa gifts and ate the goodies, Sam worked on the kids' reply note from Santa.


 I love our home at Christmas time! 


The kids woke up early Christmas morning, which surprises me because they never do! They've always slept till at least 7am and sometimes we even had to go wake them up! But maybe it's the age they are at now....Sam says their internal Christmas clocks are finally working, lol! 

Santa brought Anthony a 10 gallon fish tank (sweeet!), Molly an Ana dress and a new Elsa dress, and Timothy a new scooter! How fun!! 


The kids were super hungry, so before we opened gifts from under the tree, we ate breakfast. The night before, Sam and I had made homemade blueberry muffins and quiche.  So come Christmas morning, all we had to do was pop the quiche back in the oven to reheat and fry up some cheesy smokies. Breakfast was served!


This year was really fun with the kids. Now that they are older, Anthony and Molly have learned patience, so that was helpful to a smooth morning. Timothy, for being 3 1/2, was really patient as well. Everyone took turns very nicely. A Christmas miracle! haha


After spending some time playing with our new gifts and finding their new homes in bedrooms, we wrapped things up by opening stockings. We always save our stockings for last and think it's a nice cap to all the fun. 


All gifts opened, we spent the rest of the day playing, organizing, and eating yummy food. Sam made his homemade clam chowder, a Christmas meal tradition. Yum yum. 


Thank you to all our friends and family who sent gifts to our family. We appreciate it and hope you all had a wonderful Christmas as well! 

With love,
Mama Hauck