Christmas 2010 (Part 4)

A little delay in the posting of all the Christmas segments but cabin fever is hitting me and sitting in front of the computer for an extended time is not totally appealing.  Hopefully this won't be a novel like the previous posts.

Christmas Eve for us was another low-key day.  Jen and I ran to the toy store and Barnes and Noble for some last minute gifts.  We were not the only people who had the same idea, that's for sure!  For dinner my sister made a delicious dish that I can't remember the name of but I know it's on her website somewhere and I'm totally going to have to steal the recipe.  After dinner, I started feeling a little icky but as we got ready to go look at Christmas lights, the feeling passed.

So all 7 of us crammed into the minivan and drove around Greensboro to look at lights.  Here's something I didn't realize- putting lights up on your house is not such a big thing in the south.  Folks down there are more into the wreaths and greenery so that the houses look pretty during the day.  However, there is one neighborhood that has this really cool tradition: light balls. 
Light balls are homemade balls made of chicken wire, wrapped with mini lights and suspended from trees. 

This is a picture I found on google images that kind of gives an idea.  Anyway, however many years ago, this guy in this neighborhood had this idea on how to make them and started doing so and it spread through the whole neighborhood.  It is actually very cool to see in person and going to see them on Christmas Eve is so popular that there is usually a line to get into the neighborhood and the neighborhood has a big wagon for you to stop at to donate canned food.  Walker and I are going to attempt to make some next year- maybe we'll start a tradition in our neighborhood.  =)

After looking at the lights we put the kids to bed (all 3 had fallen asleep in the car- score!) and the adults settled in to watch "Couples Retreat" which actually turned out to be pretty funny. 

Then about 2 AM I woke up.  Remember how I said I felt a little icky after dinner?  Well, it was back full force.  I ran to the bathroom and made it to the sink.  Just as I had predicted, the stomach flu had gotten me.  And then it got me again.  At that point, Taylor woke up and decided that the only person who could comfort her was mom.  She wouldn't even let me put her down so she came to bed with us.  In between feeling sick, comforting Taylor, and making sure the covers didn't go over her head, I didn't get very much sleep.  Needless to say, it was very hard to get out of bed when Jen knocked on our door at quarter to 7.  She said we didn't have to get up but I really wanted to watch the kiddos open presents and I knew they couldn't wait.  So Walker and Taylor slept in while I went downstairs with everyone else. 

And so the chaos began....I had not been around little kids on Christmas morning since I was a little kid.  I guess I had forgotten how exciting it is for them.  Will, like any 4 year old, couldn't really wait for other people to open their presents but he did a great job bringing presents from under the tree into the family room.  He was especially good at finding presents for himself.  =)  Courtney seemed to be overwhelmed just by opening her stocking.  She kept getting presents for herself and then just leaving them in the family room unopened.  Jen had to stop her and make her open a few before getting more. 

Will got his rollerblades!

The aftermath

The rest of the day was spent hanging out playing with all the new toys.  We did video chat with Dan's parents and then my dad and Linda.  We also watched the snow come down!

It was a white Christmas in Greensboro.  They ended up getting around 6 inches!  Later that evening, a family from the neighborhood came over despite our warning that the stomach flu could be rampant in the house (I was feeling much better by this point by the way).  Our dinner was "Thanksgiving Part 2."  Dan had asked Jen to make Thanksgiving dinner over again since it didn't last long enough the first time.  It was very good.  Unfortunately, both Will and Courtney slept through the whole dinner. 
Then, after the friends had left, Will woke up and got sick.  Poor kiddo!  I felt so bad for him because I knew I  was the one who gave it to him!
The evening ended with all of us watching Star Wars in the family room.  Definitely one of the more interesting Christmases we've had in a while.  =)