What a wonderful Xmas!

We had a such joyous Christmas. The twins' first Christmas!!!

It started Christmas eve, also Eric's bday, at grandma D's house. We had brunch with yummy baked french toast, crepe fruit cups and much much more! What a perfect way to start the holiday.

Christmas day, we hosted my family and my dad's cousin's family (who just moved up from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina). There were more food, gifts and more gifts. The kids were in heaven! Elmo was a big hit this year, the girls got the tickle chairs from grandma. And Anna banana got the hot toy of the season, the new TMX Elmo---he definitely was a hoot. There was even a small smack down over Elmo between Anna and Joshua (our two LIVELY toddlers), but of course, they didnt stay mad long.

After all the eating and gift opening, the adults relaxed, talked and played games (cards and Cranium) and the kids ran around like mad.

Ahhhhhh, family, the twinkling lights from the tree, the crisp cold air, the kids and their wide-eye excitement..... what's not to LOVE about Christmas!

Here comes Santa....

To believe or not to believe. So after a brief discussion, the verdict is in, Santa will be visiting our house next year. My husband's ultimate logic, 'If Santa's gonna be at the neighbor's house, why wouldnt he visit ours???!!!'

My husband grew up with Santa, but since I'm first generation Vietnamese- American, it wasnt part of my parents' culture to celebrate. Thus, I was on the fence on whether to perpetuate the myth of Santa. But I can understand the magic and wonder Santa invokes in children. He loves them, watches over them to make sure they're good and comes bearing gifts when they are. He's their jolly, kind friend!

Christmas has become so commercialized and I think for our kids, we'll try very hard to downplay this. They can write a letter to Santa, but there will only be one gift from Santa. The rest will be from family and people who love and cherish them so much to give them presents.

We'll also stress the real celebration of Christmas. We'll have a birthday cake with candles for Jesus. Eric and I have always attended midnight mass (love the beauty of the lit candles and hushed singing!), but of course, we'll be attending the afternoon service with the children instead. The kids will understand the true gift of Christmas is, the life Jesus gave to all of us.