Christmas Eve Traditions

Besides visiting Santa on Christmas Eve, we traditionally have a Christmas Eve party. This started waaaay before our kids were born. We found that we and some close family and friends really didn't have much to do on Christmas Eve, so I we naturally set out to fix that. (2012 Party, 2013 Party)

Anyone and everyone is invited to Christmas Eve. The boys do exchange presents with Nonna and Pop and we usually exchange with some extended family and close friends, but that goes down earlier in the night. When the boys were really little, we were able to put them down and keep the party going. As they got older, they started to realize they were missing some fun. Last year, we ended the party the earliest ever at 10pm! This year, we were back to our normal Christmas Eve ways not wrapping things up until closer to 1am.

For the past 2 years, Uncle Fred has sent the boys cookies! We save them for our Christmas Eve treat! This year he went all out decorating cookies for all the kids, including Skylar! My boys will probably be upset next year when they realize they can't eat hers too!

Another Christmas Eve tradition is Nonna and her bow picture. This dates back to Evan's very first Christmas and the great poop storm of 08. That story will have to wait for another day....but Nonna got her bow picture!

Evan and Luke got Jenga for Christmas this year. We decided to break it out and have a friendly game. Well, this became the most intense longest game of Jenga I have ever witnessed. 

I'll never tell who knocked the tower down, but I feel like there might be a rematch next Christmas Eve.

The rest of the night was filled with food, drink and much much merriment. You can't beat a night of friends and family! (For the 5 people who read my blog - the rest of this is just pictures that probably only my family cares about!)

 
 
You know what being the AUNT mean?? I can buy all those impractical gifts I would never buy my own children, like monogrammed hats and big floweredy headbands!!


 

We ended the night with another Christmas Eve tradition - The Sprinkling of Reindeer Food! Oats and Glitter make up this magical reindeer food. The oats give the reindeer energy to keep up their long flight and the glitter helps them see which houses to visit from the night sky. 

Luke had glitter on his face the rest of the night. Now that I mention it, I am recalling a very late late night conversation about Mariah Carey and Glitter....Jessica - you may have knocked down the tower, but you get bragging rights about MC! #whoknewshewaswhite

Santa!!! I KNOW him!!

We started a Christmas Eve tradition a couple years past that I think will be our last this year. Three or four years back, we went to see Santa on Christmas Eve morning. We were the only ones in the place and the boys were able to run right in spend time with Santa. The past couple years everyone must have caught onto this and did the same because there has been quite a line. This year we waited an hour. We got there when the doors opened and didn't sit on Santa's lap for a solid hour.

Finding ways to entertain themselves

The boys did GREAT though. I think it might have something to do with A) the excitement of talking to the 'real Santa' or B) knowing the big guy was right there and he was watching....always watching.... Either way, I was super proud of them for being in a tight confined spot and being so well behaved. When they got to the big guy, Luke did his "Luke smile" no matter what we said, which is fine, because in about 10 years he probably won't even let me take pictures of him. They both told Santa what they wanted and were super sweet. I loved watching them with Santa.

The Texans went with us too for Skylar's first visit to Santa. She wasn't so sure about the big guy at first, but ended up coming around. Precious sweet girl.

We then went to my mom's house for Christmas. The boys were excited to finally be able to open presents and PLAY with the presents! And I was just happy to be able to spend time with my family.

Pre Christmas Fun

We were SO SO SO lucky to have the Texas Asbell crew at our house of Christmas. This was the first time I met my niece and the first time Luke and Evan met their newest cousin. Of course we knew Evan would take to her right away.

About 2 days into their trip, Evan declared, "I love Sklyar, but not in the creepy way." After the car muffled their laughter, I asked Evan what that meant? How could he love her in the creepy way? Just as quick as a cricket he said, "You know, like I don't want to marry her." Glad we cleared that up.

We went to Zoo Lights the second night they were here. It was forecasted rain, but we still forged ahead much to my husband's dismay. When we got there, it wasn't raining, thank heavens. The GREAT news was the forecast scared a majority of the people away. It was deserted!

The boys saw Santa. Luke went rogue and said he only wanted a toy train. Evan has been asking a lot of question about all the different Santas around town. We explained that Santa sometimes needs help since he can't be everywhere when boys and girls want to sit on his lap, so sometimes he gets helpers. I didn't think that really stuck until Evan, as loud as he could, said, "Are you the real Santa?" I am sure he has gotten this before and had a great answer. He said, "Are you the real you?" Evan laughed and said of course so Santa replied, "Well I am the real me." Well played Chris Kringle...well played.

It rained...a lot. For those of you who know me, you know I hate being rained on. Nature falling on my head....omgah, it's the worst. But those who also know me understand I will do anything for my kids. The boys begged to ride the ferris wheel from the moment we go there. John doesn't do heights, so up up up I went. While we were waiting in line it came a downpour. There was rain falling like cats and dogs. Whenever I even mentioned us getting out of line they cried and cried. The ferris wheel was literally the one thing they wanted to do at Zoo Lights. So I sucked it up and waited...in the rain. It was worth it. They loved every minute of that ride.

The boys had fun which mean John and I were happy. John even said he was glad I talked him into it. :) See honey - I know what I am doing...most of the time. 

He still loves me after being drenched at Zoo Lights!

Getting into the Christmas Spirit!

Evan did great in his Christmas Program this year! Mom of the Year didn't have the batteries charged in the big camera, so all I got was iPhone photos.

Evan had a great cheering section as usual. We bought front row seats at the SGIS auction last Spring as a Mother's Day present for all the grandmoms. Good thing, since I didn't have a camera!

One great thing about Evan being one of the shortest kids is he is usually on the front row. I bet if he had his choice, he'd still choose to be taller. The kids still get to wear cottas for this performance. If you remember, I used to have a problem with cottas..until Evan put one on! Look how sweet they are!

Their little voices are still the sweetest thing to hear. They did 'throw back' holiday songs that have been performed in years past by St. George's kids. I am so glad I have a video to cherish forever.

Both boys had Christmas parties. Luke had a blast decorating a picture frame, icing a cookie, and making reindeer food! He also got to practice his....Luke smile... oh dear. And just look at him and Jane! Are we sure arranged marriages are not allowed?? Cuteness overload!!!

 

AND finally, both boys got REAL LIFE letters from Santa Claus declaring they were on the NICE list this year!!! Thanks Nonna for being our liason between the boys and Santa! They were super excited to have an 'in' with the big guy.

Christmas time was fast approaching and the Asbells were ready!

The Story of the Christmas Card

I love Christmas cards. This time of year I diligently check my mailbox whereas during the year, I don't even like to venture down the driveway. But between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I skip down to the mailbox.

I even save the Christmas cards from years past. I put each year on a ring. It's absolutely great to look back over the years.

The past couple years we have had Christmas photos taken for me to use specifically on the Christmas card. This year I scheduled a photo shoot that happened to fall on the same weekend we had plans to go to New Orleans. I had to cancel the shoot and I was most upset about what I was going to do for the Christmas card.

I decided that I had a nice camera and some time with the boys, so I set out to get our Christmas card picture. While John was getting ready, I took the boys out for a test shot in front of the house. Once I realized my camera was working, we set off to the Square.

Well, it was cold. There were a lot of lights and a ton of space to run. Hence, it was difficult to get what I felt like would be good pictures. I tried and John was right there with me trying to wrangle a good picture.

When I got home, I immediately downloaded the 75 pictures with bated breath. This is what I got...

Evan: I will hug him and squeeze him and call him Luke.

Luke: Errrrmygahhhh he's hugging me!!! Oh wait...squirrel!

   

Luke has started to do this when I tell him to smile. John says I am being too hard on him when I say "No, no, I said smile Luke....smile."

I'm meeeeelting...meeelting!!

So after being fully discouraged, I went back and looked at my test shot. There is was. The perfect picture that sums up my boys. If you know Evan and Luke you know this is there exact personality. Evan, my rule follower, that truly wants to make everyone happy, standing exactly in place where he is supposed to smiling a real authentic smile because he's truly happy. And Luke. Luke who is happiest when he is making others laugh. Luke who doesn't like to be the center of attention. Luke who likes to surprise people. Luke... my Luke.

But it wasn't two kids standing side by side smiling or our whole family like I have had in years past. Yeah, they were dressed adorably, yes they were smiling...but was if I chose that picture would it look like I didn't have it all together?

And you know what, I don't have it all together. We are not perfect. Why does my Christmas card need to be? It doesn't. It needs to be us. Truly us.

So Merry Christmas from The Asbells

I hope your holiday are filled with authentic moments that turn into lifelong memories.

Turkey-Gate 2014

Turkey-Gate, the great pumpkin pie disappointment...this Thanksgiving was a trip! Sit back with your leftover pecan pie and read on!

Everyone knows that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I love it. I love the watching the parade in my pjs. I love the abundance of food and people. I love hanging out with family all day! I love everything about this day.

About six or seven years back, I started a tradition - The Day after Thanksgiving Thanksgiving. We always get to spend Thanksgiving day with John's mom's side of the family. Charlie and Janice go all out, waking up at 4:30am to start preparing food. Even though we all live in the same town, life gets to be so busy, and Thanksgiving is the day I know we'll get to spend a lot of quality time catching up with everyone.

 

And Evan talks about seeing Mamaws daily....I mean DAILY. So anytime he gets to spend time with her is a special day. He loves loves loves that special lady. We all do. And Luke...well, he love bubbles.

 

TurkeyGate 2014
I woke up Friday giddy. Pure giddiness. I had made a schedule starting at 9am. I had pages of notes for my day of cooking. One major big problem. Most people know my memory isn't the greatest, hence the reason for this blog. Last year we got a HoneyBaked Turkey from Kroger. Two years before that we ordered a turkey breast from Fresh Market. I just don't do the whole all day roasting turkey thing. I have heard too many horror stories; not being thawed, meat to tough, not being cooked all the way. All my other dishes I have full confidence about. The main dish?? I was leaving that to the professionals. I was convinced we got the Honey Baked Turkey the day after Thanksgiving last year. John even questioned me about this and I dismissed him with a wave of my hand and said, "Oh no, they have PLENTY left on Friday." John, being the amazing husband he is, treks up to Kroger Friday morning. No turkey. I call around and the Krazy Kroger (one on Byhalia) told me they had some. I asked if they could hold it for me. She said, "Oh, they are handing out samples. If they are passing out samples, they have plenty." Dirty dirty lie. John drove there and they didn't. While he walked around the store, I called Fresh Market. They had some, but they wouldn't be ready for another hour. I was officially freaking out. John had dropped several hints about the fresh turkey he had already in his basket as he walked around. I was still calling places. Long story short, he convinced me that millions of people cook a turkey every year. We could do it.

As he drove home, I frantically searched for tips on how to roast a turkey while crying talking to my mom. Everything I found told me brining my turkey over night was the way to go. Great....I needed to serve 13 people in less than 6 hours and I did not have a brined bird. I decided an hour of brining was better than none. We put the turkey in the brine for one hour while I continued to search for roasted turkey recipes. Once I found Ina Garden's I knew I was done. But hold up...I didn't have a roasting pan. John and I had every dish we owned out on the counter trying to fashion something that resembled a pan and a rack. It was useless. Trying not to freak out for the second time that day, I call my mom again. Of course, my mom saved the day. John jetted over to her house to pick up the pan and rack. I quickly made up Ina's 'paste' substituting what I didn't have in my pantry with what I did have. No thyme?? Just add more rosemary. No sage?? Just drop some more poultry seasoning in the mix with a dash for garlic and wine seasoning. Surely, it'll come out okay, it's just seasoning! By this time the chef had already allowed the wine to start flowing....

Then came the hard part. I had to get this paste UNDER the skin. I found some strength that could have only come from above to block out what I was actually doing and rub this paste under the skin. It really was a higher calling at this point.

The turkey is wearing more make up than I am.

I crossed my fingers, opened the convection oven, and slide that bird in. Wouldn't you know...the damn thing wouldn't fit in the oven. Because it is a convection oven, there is a fan with a heating element in the back. The rack in the roasting pan was hitting that fan and not allowing the oven to close. Freak out number three, if you are keeping score. We shifted racks all over the place to finally fit him in.
Everything else went just as planned with side dishes coming together in perfect harmony. After 2.5 hours, my turkey was roasted to perfection. John did the honors of carving the turkey, with some special little helpers (who also helped me with the side dishes!)

John deemed it "the best turkey he's ever eaten" (he had to say that - he was the one that convinced me to roast it) and all was well. The turkey went perfectly with the green bean bundles, dressing (John's mom's recipe), sweet potato souffle, brussel sprouts gratin, corn casserole (mom's dish) and roll. A spectacular feast!

Bellies were full, hearts were fuller. We had some missing family and friends due to illness and it wasn't the same without them. :( Plus there are waaaaaay too many leftovers.

 

 

The Great Pumpkin Pie Disappointment

I usually make dessert for Thanksgiving at Grandmom's house. When I told Evan this he flipped with joy over pumpkin pie. Sadly, pumpkin pie was not on my menu, which produced great big crocodile tears. Seriously....the child who eat 6 things was crying because I was not making a dessert in which he has never eaten. (I might have mentioned he is a tad bit dramatic.) He swore up and down he loved pumpkin pie, which made Luke then swear he loved pumpkin pie, which then made me the bad guy for not making their favorite dessert. Thankfully, the youngest one changed allegiances when I mentioned I was making special cookies. The big one...not so much.

During one of the many freak outs I mentioned this to my mom, who happened to make an entire pumpkin pie for her and Jed. She, as good grans do, jumped at the chance to make her grandson happy. She brought 2 pieces of pumpkin pie for Evan and Luke.

Once dinner was over, Evan jumped at the chance to eat his pumpkin pie. Family and friends know how picky he is and started questioning when he tried pumpkin pie. He answered that he tried it and liked it a YEAR ago at his Kindergarten Thanksgiving feast. A year ago but never said a word. So we cut him off a piece. He takes a forkful of pie and sticks it straight in his mouth. Let me back up. This is the kid who took twenty solid minutes to eat a bite, not a piece, a bit of cheese. Twenty minutes and many many sobs. When the pie went into his mouth John said "What in the world is happening right now." He started chewing. About 4 chews into it his face screws up and he bolts out of his chair screaming and crying. He grabs and towel and tries to wipe the pumpkin pie out of his mouth. I get him to the trash can where he can at least spit it out. The entire room is crying with laughter. Poor Evan was crying for other reasons. Thankfully, mom wasn't too offended by his reaction. She shouldn't have been. The other pie she brought was devoured by the people who DO know what is good.