Well, the Christmas Season has once again come and gone.  I waited to post this mostly because there is generally so much going on and it all runs together this time of year that it's hard to separate.  On top of that, Erica has her daily post on her Project 365 site, so there is not as much need to post as often anymore.  I figured I would wait and summarize the Season at the Kassel household.

We began everything by digging out the decorations on Thanksgiving weekend.  Once everything was up, we were able to sit back and relax, and soak up the atmosphere.  We also went to Cherry Hill to see the Magic Tree at its new home.  The official lighting ceremony was on December 5, and while we were a little late for the actual lighting we still got to see it.  They had a whole to-do out there this year, with carriage rides, carolers, and a food stand.  There were a LOT of people out, but we still had a lot of fun.

We made our trip to Bass Pro Shops and their Christmas Wonderland set up too.  Laura got her picture taken with Santa and told him about how she wanted a Lalaloopsy doll, but John was too scared.  They played with the slot cars, and the target rifles that shoot a flash of light, and John watched the train for EVER.  Then they got to listen to Mrs. Claus read a couple of Christmas stories to them.  They very much enjoyed the trip.  Ironically, they had just been to Home Depot for Kids' Workshop that morning, and Santa was there too.  Nobody seemed to make the connection that Santa looked significantly different at the two places!  Laura did ask the Home Depot Santa what kind of cookies he likes so we could put the right ones out on Christmas Eve, though!  For the record, his favorites are Sugar Cookies, Brownies, Snickerdoodles, and Chocolate Chip.

Needless to say, we had some cookie making adventures.  Laura and John both helped to make sugar cookies, then cut-out cookies with frosting, and then chocolate chip cookies.  The December cookie-fest was on!  They were pretty helpful, although I was finding sprinkles in the vicinity of the kitchen for days.  They really enjoyed it, though, so it was a worthwhile mess.

Finally, the weekend of Christmas came.  Laura's Christmas break started, and day care was closed, so the kids spent a couple of days home with Mommy.  They wore her pretty thin, as they were both WAY to full of anticipation.  They were maniacs up until Christmas Day.  Grandpa Ken and Grandma Marilyn arrived on the 24th, and we had a nice dinner before putting the kids to bed (after making reindeer food and reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas!) and heading to church.  Grandpa Ken stayed home with the kids.  Laura did not want to go to the service even though I had given her the option, because she said she needed to go to bed early so Santa would come.  She also was not interested in participating in the Sunday School Christmas pageant because she did not like the music.  Maybe next year.

On Christmas morning, we woke up early (surprise) and the kids tore into their presents.  Their big thing this year was from Grandpa and Grandma Baars.  Grandpa built them a set of bunk beds, which they brought down with them in the van.  There was no getting bored with too many gifts this year.  They tore through everything in about 20 minutes.  Laura got her doll, and John got a remote control car (among other things).  Then we ate breakfast, showered, and headed to church.  I like when Christmas is on a Sunday, because Pastor Paul really enjoys doing services on Christmas morning and there are not nearly as many people there.  After church, we came home and began preparing dinner, a smoked ham.  Except for having to endure watching the Bears - Packers game with Grandma Marilyn (she's as big a Packers fan as we are Bears fans) the day was wonderful.

We did get some sad news on Christmas Day though.  My Grandfather, Wilbert Blume, passed away on Christmas morning at the age of 93.  He was a great man, and he will be missed by many.  His service will be this week, and I'll post a separate article dedicated just to him after I return.

On Monday the 26th, the kids went to daycare and Erica and I went shopping for twin size mattresses for the kids' new bed.  We headed to Slumberland here in town, and found some good mattresses.  We also looked for a new ottoman for downstairs, as our old one disintegrated (finally).  Not only did we find one we liked, but Erica also spotted a sectional she liked, which was being clearanced - and on sale for 20% off THAT price.  So we ended up buying the mattresses, the ottoman, AND the sectional.  The mattresses had to be brought in from Kansas City (where they are made - yay Sealy!) and the truck only comes in on Fridays, so we had to wait.  The sectional was scheduled to be delivered to our house on Friday too, but they were not sure the truck with the mattresses would arrive before they began their deliveries for the day.  When they arrived at our house, they brought in the two mattresses (yay!) and the sectional.  Then they said they had an ottoman for us too.  This surprised us as we had to order that, and we were told it would not be ready until mid-January.  It's a Christmas miracle!

We spent the remainder of the day putting together the bunks, and rearranging furniture to place everything.  The kids were super excited when they got home.  They got to help make their beds for the first time, and they were in bed early that night.

On New Year's Eve, we hosted a small gathering.  Jeremy, the Lowerys, and Jenna and the Kids came over and we had munchies and drinks, talking and laughing, while the kids played downstairs.  Laura was exhausted, so she was the first to drop.  John and Alia stayed up a little later, but not by much.  We had a nice, relaxing (if somewhat hung-over) New Year's Day, capped off by the fact that Laura got to watch Star Wars for the first time.  She loved it!