Merry Christmas!

Christmas is so much more fun with children.  We have spent the last couple of weeks talking to Xander about Santa Claus, watching the Polar Express (any movie with trains and Santa Clause is clearly Totally Awesome!), and generally getting excited about Christmas.  We went to zoo lights last week, just as the big snow storm moved in.  All the lights were really pretty with the snow falling and because of the weather it wasn't quite as busy either.  Life in the Lewis houshold has been so busy that we still didn't have our Christmas tree up, so in the end we decided to do it on Christmas Eve.  Xander and Maya had fun decorating the Christmas tree, and we enjoyed putting up our own baby ornaments, as well as the kids baby ornaments.  We put out milk for Santa and carrots for Rudolph and then cuddled on the couch for a story.  We all read the Night Before Christmas together and then sent the kids off to bed.  Just for fun here's a little Christmas video for you all!

When Xander woke up in the morning he came out of his room to find presents under the Christmas tree.  He exclaimed, "Santa's been here!".  We opened presents from stockings (chocolate bars for everyone, well not Maya) and then had breakfast.

After breakfast it was time to open presents.  Santa brought Xander a board game which was a big hit, we played all morning.

By nap time it was time for me to head out for my last 20 mile run before the Phoenix Marathon.  I decided that if I had to run 20 miles on Christmas day that I might as well have fun with it, so I put on my green tights, red shirt and a Santa hat to complete my elf costume.  I got lots of smiles out on my run and hope that I put a smile on peoples faces, although here's hoping that the guy who drove into the slush just to spray me gets a stocking full of coal next year!  I ran a 7:12 pace for 20 miles on snow packed roads.  I'm feeling ready for Phoenix!









The next day was warm and beautiful and a perfect day to go sledding.  Xander had yet to go sledding this year and it was a perfect opportunity to get him comfortable in his new ski boots and have some fun.  He started out a bit hesitant and took some runs first with Mom and Dad.  Maya got a chance to get in on the action too, she giggled the whole way!

Xander got bolder, especially after a few older boys showed up to play on the sledding hill too. Eventually he wanted to take runs on his own, and then wanted to do the BIG JUMP with Mommy. He loved it, although I think Erin was a bit worried for her tailbone. Much fun was had by all!