Christmas Day, aka Anna Turns 10 Years Old!

Before we went to bed on Christmas Eve, we put the remainder of the kids’ presents under the tree.

They quite enjoyed getting two days of opening presents! 🙂

Emma safely on the non-tree side. She wasn’t quite sure what to make of the decorated tree. In the beginning she seemed to think the decorations and the tree were all one whole, but then I moved an ornament she was dangling at, so out went that theory. Towards the end of the yuletide (6 Jan) she got braver and started pulling at the strings of lights and garlands. But all in all, having a tree went pretty well!

Anna opening her birthday presents from us. Bjarki was rather miffed that he wasn’t getting presents too.

Bjarki’s sulking didn’t last long though. ‘He’ gave Anna a big jigsaw puzzle featuring a cool dragon, which made both of them happy.

Anna hugging Emma for her Artemis Fowl book (the 8th book in English, because it hasn’t been translated yet).

We also caved to the marketing gods at Lego and gave Anna a horse ranch from the often dreadfully stereotypical Friends line.

While we waited until it was time to leave for the annual family gathering at Finnur’s parents’ place, the kids tried out some bath-salt balls they got for Christmas.

We didn’t quite know they were bath-salt balls (the packaging was all in Japanese!), but once we’d removed the plastic covering, the balls quickly dissolved, leaving behind one small plastic toy each!

Anna holding her small blue smiling guy.

Bjarki with his tiny plastic car.

With that over and done with, it was time to go attend the annual Christmas Day Party.

Inga trounced Finnur in the ugly sweater department (Inga and Finnur both showed up with kids matching their sweaters).

Eating delicious food.

The hosts tasting the fruits of their hard work.

Emma greeted by her cousins after waking up from her nap.

Anna the birthday girl, in a dress her grandparents gave her for Christmas.

The marvels of modern technology meant that we could video-chat with Eyrún’s older daughter (she’s on the far right), who was in Paris!

My handsome hubby!

Vignir being summoned to direct the social whist game.

The kids horsing around in the office. It’s hard to believe, but Finnur and I lived in that room for a year, when the walls were covered with the most crazy red-yellow-orange wallpaper I’ve ever seen. But we survived. Mostly.

Siblings.

Hiding under the table is fun!

Einar minding Emma.

Let the whist-games begin!!

There were three four-person tables as usual, with me and Finnur’s dad bowing out due to other duties.

The third table.

Anna and Emma having a good time.

12 rounds were played, as per custom.

Points being dutifully recorded.

Grandpa Þórarinn and Emma.

We brought some yummy stuff to celebrate Anna’s 10th birthday for Finnur’s family.

First though, Vignir announced the results of the whist tournament.

Anna shakes her head over the results.

This year’s winner was Hreiðar, Finnur’s brother-in-law.

Hreiðar with the travelling trophy.

Anna getting her birthday song for the third time this birthday season.

Blowing like the old pro she is.

Oh yeah, smoke on the cake.

With that we all wolfed down the cake and muffins before everyone started heading home.