The Alaskan Lafleurs

Unfortunate timing, this particular Christmas.  Church was at 9 am.  That posed a quandary; a) get up really early (not likely), b) nix church (we thought that was an 'option'), or c) she goes to church (shortened), and we wait.  Option C involved the least amount of fighting.

I woke her up, which was disappointing to her because the sun wasn't awake yet (winter in Alaska, baby!)  We got her dressed in her super cutie new dress and overcoat.  I'll be taking more pictures later, in another room that isn't sickly green.  Then, according to Gramma, she slept through the ENTIRE hour.  Snoring.  Drool.  Whole thing.

Lucky for her, there was evidence of Santa when she arrived home.

Per request (he didn't get the memo of her evilness), three(ish) trains and a choo-choo track.

no cow pillow, but a triceratop instead.

Grampa insisted that every train conductor needs a hat, so . . . .

After a delightful morning (and a nap or two later) we trekked across the way for dinner.

Prime rib!

and lobster tails.  Do you know that I was married before I had my first lobster?  And here, the pixie, gets one at three!

'Gramma, is it dead?'

'Oh, I hope so'.

Stever and Grandma Lulu sent Abi a new outfit, and a friend ('cause she's been lonely).  It was a put-together friend, and Amelia was rather insistent that it be done quickly.  So, there I was sewing on Christmas.  Amelia would have smiled.  If she'd had the energy.  She had barely enough to grip tightly.

It was a wonderful day.  A leisurely morning, thanks to church (I got a shower first!).  Everyone received help opening up their presents (whether it was needed or not).  It looked like a winter-wonderland outside, and we had the most picturesque snowfall all day.  We sipped St. Snickerdoodle coffee and homemade chai, and dined on fruit salad and oven omelets (esp. tasty thanks to the extra bit of shell.  oops  Thought of you, Dad.).  Mommy got a long nappy.  

It was declared a lovely day, by her royal pixie-ness.  The best day ever!

Speaking of traditions, we've done this for two years in a row!  Does that qualify as tradition yet? (I do mean our little household.  We've done this for years in the Ross household, that would be Erin's maidenhood household)

Gramma and Grampa came over for Christmas Eve for a delightful dinner of fondue.  It went much smoother than last year, but I don't think Grampa likes it any better.  Too much work; you gotta plan ahead.  It was still super tasty, though.

(Notice the double-tonged sharp piercing stabby device in the hand of the three year old.  Went well, though.)

After we settled in for some story time, Amelia 'innocently' peeked in a bag and had the wrath of four people on her.  Her little eyes welled up, her bottom lip quivered.  Why was everybody so adamant when there was such pretty presents everywhere?

Amelia then told us the story of how Jesus was born.  However, instead of the three wise-men coming from afar, they came from the roof.  And there was a baby Jesus, or somethin'.  I'm going to have to work on the particulars for next year.

Still trying to get a shot Gramma looking happy.  Doesn't look like it's going to happen anytime soon.

Amelia was finally able to open one present (the one she had peeked in!).  She is a nakey sleeper.  The only time she puts on jammies is when we have guests over in the evening.  So, rather than the requisite jammies she received soft pants (sweatpants) and a rather dashing dress and overcoat.  

Good thing she got to go to church the next morning for Christmas!

Early in the season I began to ask Amelia what she wanted for Christmas.  She didn't even get it.  Wanted what? For who?  After a brief explanation, she commented that maybe she'd like a phone?  And a computer?  Or a head light?  Funny thing, I think that those were Daddy's request, as well.

After a little bit, her list became a little more practical.  J.R. was trying some filming qualities, used Amelia as his guinea pig. 

Then we wrote a letter to Santa.  I just wrote what she said.  Her words.

Grampa surprised us with a little video.  Super glad he did!

Adia has found a new position sitting home all day, living in the lap of luxury, and eating bon-bons.  And something about being a full-time, dine-in only restaurant.  Welcome Zay! who arrived in the last of November.  The Cotter clan was finally able to come vege with us for the day, which of course delighted Amelia to no end.  She was finally able to hold her first live baby (after much begging).  I even thought she'd break out into a smile during the experience, but I guess not.

I'd picked up some candy, 'cause I thought it'd be fun to make little graham cracker houses.  You know,  like some special tradition-y thing.  Simple; graham crackers (had them), candy (acquired it), frosting (can't be hard), and a paper plate.  Simple.

Then Adia started making requests.  'Do you have cardboard?' 'Do you have tinfoil?' 'Do you need those broken pieces?'  Suddenly, a diorama appeared.  There was cobblestone path, a hockey rink, a shed, etc.  Adia chided me for not knowing better; like she was going to do it on a paper plate, silly Erin.

Amelia then demanded equality.

"Mom, I want a _______ (fill in the blank) too!

Look at this thing!  

I guess it is better than a little paper plate . . . .

Mila was please with her too, in the end.

Especially when the village could furthered in other pursuits.

I've been trying this year to really give firm foundation to the 'traditions' of the season.  To know me is to know that I am a world class procrastinator.  I have a lot of good ideas.  I want to do things.  Special things.  Then, suddenly, time's up!  Such as me making two batches of cookies on Christmas Eve and inevitably running out of time to finish before family dinner. 

Shocker.

All Amelia's doing.

We did get one batch of cookies whipped out well in advance.  Just last year I figured out these are J.R.'s favorite Christmas cookies.  Should have known, as there is very little sugar in them (except the powdered sugar they were rolled in, and the sugar sprinkles.  Except that).

Got my little roller to help out.  I think I was even receiving one of my daily lectures here.

She, again most graciously, helped me with the other batches of cookies.

Remember how I ran out of time to frost?  I asked (begged) J.R. for his help.  I will not make that mistake again, and I think that was the plan.

Mila was in charge of toppings.

As a present to myself, I purchased some new tupperware (not even the disposable kind! Big splurger, me).  However, now I can't find much.  So much to choose from!  I had to enlist some help . . . . . .

Another stripey day.  I just love her stripey days, and she just feels so pretty.  She beams, all day.

Argh, stupid projects.  She had blue snot, and we had to change her when she got home because it was everywhere, and got on everything!

Amelia wanted to make Daddy a 'Yeah, Daddy!' sign after he came home from his last final.  We actually all did.  He gets pretty crabby/stressed until they are over.

I LOVED THIS SIGN! 

She totally made these people, by herself.  The left 'person' is Daddy, the right one is Daddy as a baby, with big ears, and the middle one is Mommy.  After she was done, I insisted I needed more hair.  I guess I'm still short, though.

She is such a sweet and gentle Mommy (I'd like to take credit as a role model, but lets be honest, you've been reading this blog long enough to know better).  She was reading to her baby on the way into town one day.

In an effort to expose the child to culture, we had a family day at the museum, Family Anthropology Day!  The University has a beautiful museum, of which they should it took a three year closure and is brand new.  This is the second time we've been, 'cause it's expensive to go and J.R.'s work has a much nicer, much free-er exhibit.

We began the delightful afternoon with making an official indian head necklace (jewelry is always welcome, of course).

then we were off to coloring in petroglyphs

somewhere in there (no pictures, of course) she made an antique clay pot, and an ulu.

We then walked into a large room, where Amelia immediately screamed 'sandbox!'.  

when what she meant to exclaim was 'ohh, archeological dig.'  She rummaged around for awhile, and she found indian arrowheads, animal parts, and lovely fossils (insert giddy Daddy)

A vision of the future, if Daddy 'tutors' her correctly.

Amelia and I then took a tour around the entire museum.  It didn't take long, Amelia has yet to appreciate abstract Native art.  She ran through.

Oh well, one experience at a time!