Christmas 2011/Eli's First Christmas

Christmas is such a fun time of year and this year was even better since we got to share it with our precious Eli.  He just turned 3 months on Christmas Eve so he didn't actually realize what was going on but it was still fun to have him be a part of all the festivities.

On Christmas Eve our tradition is to go to my in-laws house and celebrate with the entire family.  That was exactly what we did, but instead of it being the beautiful chaos of 10+ grandchildren and 3 or more sister-in-laws in the kitchen, it was really mellow with only 4 total (including Eli) grand kids and only 2 sister-in-laws.  A lot of my in-law family lives in TX and this year they all stayed home for the holidays.  Not to worry though, coming this Friday, the entire Gonzalez family will be back in TX all together...can't wait.  So this year on Christmas Eve we ate a nice meal and then had a very mellow present opening celebration.  Eli got to experience his first present opening with his Uncle David.

The Gonzalez gift opening tradition is that the youngest opens thier gift first and then so on and so on until the oldest opens theirs last.  Here are the 4 gift openings that we shared in this year and this was Eli's first year as the youngest one.


After the fun at the Gonzalez house was over, we headed to my parents house to spend the night so that we would be there Christmas morning, I have never spent a Christmas morning away from my parents house.  We woke around 7 AM and my sister and brother-in-law came over to open presents (then they went back to their house to open with her in-laws) then it was breakfast and off to Church.

It was a fun weekend filled with lots of traditions, friends and family.  We have evening photos of the little guy in a rather cute and borderline embarrassing Baby's 1st Christmas outfit that I will share another day.

Christmas on Madrona 2011

It's Christmas time and only 7 more days till Christmas is here.  I really do enjoy this time of year but as always, it comes and goes so fast. Here is a little of our festive decor.

Christmas Present Highlights

My tree is already in the trash and all the decorations are packed up and in the garage.  I couldn't take it one more day even though I love a decorated house.  I think I was just anxious to get back to the simple clean lines of the living room without the tree.  Our living room is so narrow that the tree never really fit properly, it just feels better and more open with it gone.

I do think that it is always sad to see the holidays end, all the magic left behind for the year, but I am looking forward to an exciting and adventurous 2011!  Before I get into New Years resolutions and new hopes and dreams for 2011, I thought I would share my Christmas present highlights, aka my favorite gifts...

1. I got a pair of black rubber rain boots from my sister, I feel so chic and cool wearing them.
2. I got Coach perfume from Jeremiah to mix up my perfume smells (I have been wearing the same vanilla perfume for over 10 years now)
3. My sister and I actually both got a pair of Dr. Scholls "fast flats" from our parents in our stockings.  They are so cute and even come with a little wristlet so when you are out on the town and your shoes are hurting your feet you can whip out your fast flats...genius!

What did you guys get for Christmas this year?  Are you sad that the holidays are over?

Well stay tuned here because we have some big plans for 2011, to start with I have to get my booty in gear and crank out some home improvements.