Thanks for the {Christmas} Memories

The Christmas season began with our little ballerina performing in The Nutcracker for the first time.  You could not have asked for a cuter, more energetic mouse!

We visited Zaharikos (a local "soda shop") to check out the Christmas decorations....

and, while we were there anyway, share a 5 scoop sundae!

We had "Kotnik Christmas" in Zionsville this year, for the first time in many years (It's usually at our house.).

We went to church and then Amazing Joes for dinner with Grandma Alice on Christmas Eve.

Ruby brought home reindeer food from kindergarten and decided to wanted to put it out.  When I asked her where she thought the best place to sprinkle it was, she replied, "the roof".  Yea, no getting on the roof in heels at 9 pm on Christmas Eve for this mama!

Ruby also decided to leave out milk and cookies for "Santa" (knowing full well that "Santa" is Mommy-- gotta love that girl!).

Thanks to discounts, free shipping, and donations to the cancer society, Ruby received an American Girl doll for Christmas from Mom and Dad!

Jason's parents celebrated with us Christmas morning at 7 am and then, we had the rest of the day to ourselves.  I love "jammie days" on Christmas!  (I was testing out my self-timer and new tripod with this pic and I'm quite proud of the results!)

The kids are always allowed one night of sleeping under the Christmas tree and this was the night!  This year I even slept in the living room with them, although these aging bones opted for the couch rather than the floor.

Eli received a Mentos and Diet Coke pack for Christmas, so, of course, the boys went outside for a little science experiment!

The day after Christmas was celebrated with my mom's side of the family.  We had been passing around the stomach flu and this was David's turn to have it (on top of an ear and sinus infection).

Eli received Hogwarts castle Legos from his grandparents.  After two days of some serious work from him and his dad, Hogwarts was open for business.  As is SO Eli, though, it did not last 24 hours assembled!

It was a full and glorious Christmas season! 

Top 11 of 11

2011 has been a very memorable year-- in some good ways and in some not so good ways.  Here's a look back at the Main family's top 11 of 2011...

#1

Eli's 2nd grade class makes a movie, which is premiered at Yes Cinema....

#2

I'm going to lump this all together into "medical stuff"-- two surgeries, two ER visits, a sleep study, allergic reactions, etc., etc., etc....

#3

completing my first half marathon (as part of my "Self" New Year's Resolution)!

#4

The re-opening of our city's free, indoor playground...

#5

my last baby turns ONE at an awesome Hungry Caterpillar party (if I do say so myself!)...

#6

some friends came for a visit (I said at the time that we did so many fun things this week that it was practically like we were on vacation!).

#7

I know that I've already said "medical stuff", but Ruby getting chicken pox deserves its own spot on the top 11 list.  As difficult as it was, I will never forget the fun we had driving around town for our alphabet scavenger hunt!

#8

my little "Lady" gets 10 inches cut off of her hair and goes to kindergarten!

#9

a normal "Kotnik" dinner turns into a backyard watergun fight!  This day has now become legend (wait for it) -ary!

#10

Gatlinburg!  After selling my grandmother's house for her, she thanked us by sending us on a wonderful mini-vacation to Gatlinburg.  My wonderful in-laws watched our 3 little ones and  Jason and I were able to have 3 days of uninterupted interaction for the first time in nearly 10 years!

#11

both of my children find active activities that they love!  Although it has been quite an adjustment taking kids here and there and everywhere, I am so happy that Ruby is in love with ballet and Eli is crazy about basketball.



Wishing you all a happy new year and a 2012 full of memories (and mostly the good non-medical, non-chicken pox kind!).