MERRY CHRISTMAS from the Gordons!! Can you believe Christmas is this week?!

We typically make the trek back to Michigan for the holidays, but this year we are staying put in Colorado. We travel quite a bit with our kids and they’re really great about adapting, but you have to wonder if it’s just too much sometimes. The packing and unpacking, settling into new rooms and bedtimes and time zones. It’s a lot to think about, and that’s not even factoring in the presents here, and presents there situation. It was a bittersweet decision for us and we will miss being with our families so much. I have to be honest though, I’m looking forward to avoiding the stress that inevitably comes when traveling with kids.

Don’t worry Mama, we will come home next year! 

Thomas is at a really fun age in life where he is in awe with just about everything. We’ve been really playing up the Christmas countdown and it’s been way more fun than I thought it would be. Chase (our resident elf) has provided mornings full of surprise and laughter, and also reason for a little shameless bribery. We have a countdown garland hanging and every morning Thomas moves the little reindeer to the next day right before walking over to inspect the tree with no presents asking, “When is Santa going to bring my lifting truck?” Which reminds me, anyone know where I can find a yellow lifting truck?! 

I’m most excited about the kids waking up Christmas morning, seeing the tree for the first time and realizing that Santa really came to our house. I think Thomas is going to freak, and naturally Katherine will copy anything he does. I get giddy just thinking about it.

While it will be nice to wake up Christmas morning in our own house, we are feeling lots of pressure to make the day extra special. What if Andy and I are no fun and it’s the worst Christmas ever for our kids?! You think it’s funny, but I’m only half joking. I now fully understand all of the behind the scenes work my parents did growing up to make Christmas so memorable-THANK YOU!!! We have briefly discussed what we will do during the day with the kids and have gotten as far as opening presents, making a big breakfast and “we will figure it out the rest!”

So just in case we get really antsy, I have a few ideas in mind that may or may not work. It’s always a toss up with two toddlers.

SLEDDING–I envision this in my head going one of two ways. 1. Thomas and Katherine sitting in a sled together, holding onto each other, laughing and giggling the entire time. 2. Thomas and Katherine sit in the sled for .5 seconds until Thomas decides to push Katherine off while he stands up and rides the sled snowboard style down the hill. Next idea….

DRIVE AROUND AND LOOK AT CHRISTMAS LIGHTS–Except that Katherine in a carseat is pretty touch and go. She either loves it, or screams her head off the entire time- so that might not be fun. Scratch this idea. 

BOWLING–This might be a little ambitious with two kiddos, but we did it one year with some friends and had the best time. Maybe in a couple years…

BUILD A SNOWMAN–Fingers crossed for more snow and cooler temps because this seems to be our best option. 

Or maybe we will just stay warm inside, listen to Christmas music and let the kiddos run the day. What are some of your Christmas day traditions? I’d love to hear them! Wishing you all a quick finish to the week and the merriest Christmas with your loved ones. xo, KM