Chili, Carols, and Cheer

Casa Hellmer all aglow on Christmas eve. Nearly 100 luminarias that carry on the yearly tradition of Martin and me getting into a huge fight on Dec. 24 for how long it takes Martin to put these together.

We have a weird Christmas tradition. On Christmas Eve, we eat chili (Texas style) and sit with anticipation until Santa rings the doorbell. Then everyone except the Dads must scurry into the bathroom and sing Christmas carols while Santa unloads his goodies for the kiddos. It's strange, and everyone gives me a goofy look when they hear about it, but it works for us.

Christmas Eve 2013 was one for the record books. Mostly thanks to Peyton being at just the perfect age for all things Santa, belief, magic and fun. The whole fam-damily came over to enjoy some apps (the brie and apple bruschetta were the crown favorite) and my perfectly cooked chili. The dads tracked Santa on the ipad, we forced the kids to pose perfectly in front of the tree for the annual family pic, and we photo bombed Uncle Jim's sacred tradition of reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.

And then...DING DONG! Santa is here! Santa is here! Peyton immediately lost her shit, freaked out and started screaming her head off in fear. Scott was pissed he was shoved into the bathroom while all the other boys were drinking with Mr. C. Charlotte had no clue what was happening. And for some strange reason, an extremely annoying elf kept kicking his foot (loudly) against the bathroom door - further aggravating the children. Peyton calmed down once safe inside the confines of the bathroom door and sang with such intensity - almost as if the number of presents she got was dependent on how many words she accurately pronounced in each carol.

The bell rang and we (Grandma, Ginger, Peyton, Scott, Charlotte and myself) exploded out of the bathroom to see a room full of toys and joy. New princess bike with baby carriage (story on that saga to come later) - CHECK. Flutterbye - CHECK. Skating wind up toy - Yeah, you must have missed a few words in the chorus of Jingle Bells. Sorry Peyton.

The rest of Christmas was a whirlwind of wrapping paper, food, and libations. Peyton got a zillion more presents including a Cinderella costume, a crib for her babies and a vacuum cleaner. She has played with every single toy and continues to wonder how she possibly passed the time without them. Good thing her birthday is less than two weeks away.