 |
| JOY! |
I hope everyone's holiday was merry and bright, just as ours was! We filled the days leading up to Christmas with holiday prep, but we made it fun! The kids' school was closed and David took a little time off work so we spent the week mostly together. One day we divided and conquered...Mom and Penny grocery shopped for the two meals we would be serving at our house while Daddy and Cooper ran some "secret" errands. On Friday morning the four of us went out for breakfast together. Afterwards, Mom and the kids made jokes in the car while Daddy shopped in a thrift store to find an ugly Christmas sweater.
On Christmas Eve Eve, we kicked off the weekend with what we call "Friends" Christmas. We recognize that most (us included) reserve the holidays for family. We like to have a chance during the holidays to acknowledge our friends by including them in our holiday celebration too. Many of our good friends came over for fondue and an ugly Christmas sweater competition. (Congrats, Becky.) The kids ran wild up until bedtime, after which the adults played giant Jenga.
On Christmas Eve, Daddy prepared the chili to be served with tamales that evening (a South Texas tradition) while Momma made dessert to take over to Grandma's the next day. The kids took luxuriously long naps and Nonnie arrived in the early afternoon. We spent the latter part of the afternoon relaxing, and the kids watched the fluke $5 Christmas song DVD I picked up over and over. Ma-Mas, Pa-Pa, and Uncle Clint came over, as per tradition, to help us eat tamales and play elf...Uncle Clint put together the new playhouse, Daddy set up the electric train, and Momma stuffed the stockings. We fell into bed tired but satisfied with what was sure to come the next morning.
 |
| The Elves' hard work... |
Christmas Day began early...as in 5:45 a.m. to be exact. (The song doesn't go, "All I Want for Christmas is Some Decent Sleep" after all...especially with little kids in the house.) With the video camera rolling, both kids seemed overwhelmed by all the splendor at first and didn't seem to know where to start. They quickly figured it out and dove in. Both kids seemed happy with both their gifts and each other's gifts. We had many, many hilarious moments that I couldn't sit and describe because it would take all day. It was just simply a sweet, magical morning.
 |
| A Thomas train that moves by itself! |
 |
| New playhouse! |
 |
| Penny was skeptical... |
 |
| It was cold Christmas morning! |
 |
| Cooper enjoying Nonnie's (er, Santa's) gift...He has already mastered the crash move. |
After we had tried out all the new toys and gotten dressed, we all trooped over to Ma-Mas and Pa-Pa's house for more presents and Christmas dinner. We received a lot, gave a lot, laughed a lot, and ate a lot.
 |
| Coop takes off on his shiny new fire engine. |
 |
| Again, Penny is skeptical... |
 |
| Uncle Clint shows the kids a thing or two on the keyboard... |
Our cups ran over this year and we are truly grateful. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
