Christmas Eve 2014

2014-12-24Uncategorized Standard

[Events of the esteemed 24th of December were chronicled on the less esteemed 27th of December, of the same year.  We cheer! ]

Christmas finally arrived!!  And not a moment to soon according to our brood.  They survived the day pretty well, it’s awesome being able to send them (read: Bjarki) out to play with friends where they are less likely to have meltdowns.  Because.  Presents!! (16 images total)

Our yuletide-tree, along with presents, and photos from the cards we'd received. The tree was admittedly a little squished this year because we'd added a shelving unit to that wall, but I think it looks ok.

Our yuletide-tree, along with presents, and photos from the cards we’d received. Thank you all who sent cards!!  The tree was admittedly a little squished this year because we’d added a shelving unit to that wall, but I think it came out ok.

Finnur was the master chef as usual, although I will claim that I helped more in the kitchen than many years past. Here he is during a rare moment of respite.

Finnur was the master chef as usual, although I will claim that I helped more in the kitchen than many years past. Here he is during a rare moment of respite.  Those napkins are leftover napkins from our wedding in 2000, and yes, those are our fancy plates.  You see the tablecloth?  We have one! :Þ

We decided to drop the fancy-clothes requirement, and installed a no-sports-clothes requirement instead. It made for a much more relaxed and enjoyable dinner.

We decided to drop the fancy-clothes requirement, and instituted a no-sports-clothes requirement instead. It made for a much more relaxed and enjoyable dinner.

Bjarki claimed it was the best food he'd ever had, and that it was definitely restaurant quality!

Bjarki claimed it was the best food he’d ever had, and that it was definitely restaurant quality!

Usually we open presents after the dinner, but this year the kids got to open one gift before dinner, and one gift between dinner and dessert, before we set them loose on the rest. Here is Emma playing with a toy she'd just received and looooved! (This is in the intermission between dinner and dessert.)

Usually we open presents after the dinner, but this year the kids got to open one gift before dinner, and one gift between dinner and dessert, before we set them loose on the rest. Here is Emma playing with a toy she’d just received and looooved! (This is in the intermission between dinner and dessert.)

Bjarki not so pleased to have to wait for the formal opening of ALL THE PRESENTS!

Bjarki not so pleased to have to wait for the formal opening of ALL THE PRESENTS!

Tidying up in the kitchen.

Tidying up in the kitchen.

Finally! Presents!! (I, Hrefna, won the almond prize this year for selecting the correct ris a la mande dish. Bjarki was pissed.)

Finally! Presents!! (I, Hrefna, won the almond prize this year for selecting the correct ris a la mande bowl. Bjarki was pissed.)

Emma spying on Bjarki.

Emma spying on Bjarki.

We gave Emma a doll stroller. Our old one died some years ago after much use.

We gave Emma a doll stroller. Our old one died some years ago after much use.

Finnur also got to open a present.

Finnur also got to open a present.

Anna being thankful for the book Bjarki gave her.

Anna being thankful for the book Bjarki gave her.

Tabletop getting more crowded by the minute. (Anna hid her presents on the stairs for easy transport upstairs.)

Tabletop getting more crowded by the minute. (Anna hid her presents on the stairs for easy transport upstairs.)

Babushka time.

Babushka time.

Towards the end I moved closer to the tree to inspect the remainder of the presents. Not surprisingly, almost all of them belonged to Emma who took to opening them with gusto! Thank you all for the great gifts!!

Towards the end I moved closer to the tree to inspect the remainder of the presents. Not surprisingly, almost all of them belonged to Emma who took to opening them with gusto! Thank you all for the great gifts!!

Finnur relaxing after the kids had gone to bed, and a minor clean-up. And that was the end of Christmas Eve!

Finnur relaxing after the kids had gone to bed, and the minor clean-up. And that was the end of Christmas Eve!