Christmas

Christmas at the Peterson/Kelm household is always fun, exciting and slightly exhausting. We all had a wonderful Christmas. We are fortunate to have many wonderful traditions that we keep every year. We start Christmas Eve with the evening church service. The kids are always excited to wear their fancy Christmas clothes and to sing Christmas carols at church. We head to grandma and grandpa's for dinner where grandma always has her famous Swedish meatballs, noodles and oyster stew. It wouldn't be Christmas without oyster stew!! We next settle in the living room where grandpa reads the real Christmas story and reminds all of us why we are thankful to celebrate this day. Thank you Grandpa for helping us remember the true reason for the season!! Next, the kids tear into their presents, excited about what they will find. We always enjoy Christmas eve at grandma and grandpa's house!
We finally head home, and put the kids to bed so Santa can come to visit the house. Greta was so excited to see her doll house and doll under the tree on Christmas morning. Charlie enjoyed his racetrack and Nerf guns, while Claire acquainted herself with her new American girl doll, Felicity. Santa left an extra surprise in the basement under the other Christmas tree this year. Claire and Charlie were ecstatic when they realized that they were given a Wii!! Claire loves her horse game while Charlie is addicted to his Mario Cart. Greta was also happy to find a art easel and dancing video cam so she can watch herself boogie the night away on the TV screen.
After all the excitement of the Christmas morning, we start what the Kelm's call the "rounds". We make stops at everyone's house all day long, eating, socializing and playing with everyone's new toys!! We love this tradition because it gives everyone the opportunity to experience Christmas at all of my siblings houses. We are all so thankful for everything that God has blessed us with this Christmas and this past year. We hope everyone had a safe and Merry Christmas!!