So we have LOTS of holiday gatherings.
Our first was December 18th in Haskell, OK. (Happy Anniversary John and Stacy Neal)
Haskell is where Joe lived when he was little, before he came to Chickasha, OK.
We drove down Friday night and by the time we got there, I was sick! This stomach bug that had plagued all my little babies had finally hit me...and it WAS NOT pleasant.
So I spent most of the time in bed or in the bathroom. (which it 10 times more fun when you're three year old comes with)
On Saturday, all of Grandma Janice's family came to celebrate. I'm going to name them so you get the BIG picture...
Terry and Cindy-Tricia and son Colton-Caryn and children Bailey, Noah, Raigen, Taylor and Micah
Mike and Sherry-Sarah and Josh-Melanie (Carma couldn't make it)
Grandma Carmen and Uncle Doug
Papa Jumbo and Grandma Janice
John, Stacy, Brady and Baxter
Jay and Ashley (and doggy Bella)
Candice
And of course, me, Joe and Ainsley
(this is just the her siblings and their respective families...no more than immediate...with the one exclusion of her brother Charles who lives in Japan)
While they were at the house, I tried to stay in Brady's room so I didn't spread this horrible bug! So I missed the good Italian food...and the Dirty Santa game...but when everyone left, I ventured out to spend time with Joe's family.
The kids were having so much fun!
Ainsley and Baxter decided to play horsey with Papa...I sure hope he holds up for a couple more years!
Because it sure was entertaining.
Then it was time to jump on the air mattresses...
Bella, too!
But I think she got scared and ran away to hide...
...but we found her!
After the kiddo's got their pjs on...they were in the mood for pics.
Aren't they too cute?!?! And next year we're adding another cousin...Jay and Ashley are giving us another Neal baby! YAY!
I had to work on Christmas Day, so Christmas Eve was our BIG DAY!
The day before, Mammy and the girls made cookies for Santa. When we were getting ready for bed, Ainsley was COMPLETELY against Santa coming to her house. We had visted him a few weeks before and she told him everything she wanted:
1) a Barbie "bejit" (pronouced bee-g-it AKA a jeep)
2) a Belle dress (which she changed her mind to Sleeping Beauty once KK said she wanted one too)
3)a skirt
I tried to explain to her that she already asked for these and there was no way to contact Santa now. She even said she could wait until next time for her barbie beejit. I think maybe it took 2 hours to convince her it was ok if Santa came to her house. So she put out the cookies...albiet a little worried.
After she FINALLY went to sleep...Santa worked hard and as quiet as could be.
Here is what was waiting for her in the morning...
When she woke up, the first thing she said was, "Do you think Santa brought me my barbie beejit?"
I knew she would change her mind about him! :)
She was so excited to see it. She didn't get in right away, but when she did, we could barely get her out of it!
Then it was on to her other presents...
I tried to make sure I got her everything she REALLY wanted. Honestly, she like alot of things, but she only asked for a few. So I made sure she was going to get them. She got a Little Mermaid hair salon so she could cut and fix KK's hair and she got a baby doll that can really drink. (simple requests, don't you think?)
After all the fun at our house...we headed to the Howell Christmas Brunch!
We got there just in time for Santa to make his appearance and bring all the kids their gifts.
At the Howell's we only buy for the children and play Dirty Santa with the adults. (They get pretty vicious, so you better some with a stradegy)
After we left the Howell's...we went home for a quick nap.
Then on to Grandma Margaret Willard's house for our annual Christmas Eve!
Again, at her house we only buy for the children and they get SO EXCITED!
Ainsley had really gotten the hang of this present thing...and was READY to open, open, open!
We spent a little time visiting with my Gramma Margaret and my Dad (aka PaPa Steve) then off to Mammy's we went!
By the time we got there...they were READY for PRESENTS!
So they lined up and started! I think we had 8 bags of wrapping paper!
Please notice I was trying to hold all of her gifts so I could get them packed up and in the car before we had to open ALL of them!
At Mammy's we draw names for the adults and just buy for the children...and every year afterwards we always say we need to tone it down a little. And we never do! Seeing their faces is so much fun!
The bad part is that they are still little..it's only beginning!
They spent the rest of the evening playing...
In their Belle dresses
Simon Says...with Uncle B (they didn't really listen, though, which made them laugh even harder)
We had one more Christmas to go! The Neal Family Christmas is always the week after...so we get to spend qualilty time with every family.
Grandma Janice made her cabbage and meatballs (my personal favorite so I ate enough for 6 people)
and we had so many presents.
The Neal kids draw names, but we still buy for Grandma and Papa and the kiddos.
The kids opened theirs first...and there were still enough presents for the adults I couldn't believe it!
The Neal family puts a lot of thought into their gifts. And you always end up with more than you need!!
Ainsley, Brady and Baxter always get one BIG present from Papa Jumbo...and I think he's just as excited to give it to them as they are to get it!
I can tell you that this was the best Christmas I've ever had. I can't tell you why or what happened different...but I was so happy the entire time! All throughout the craziness of buying and wrapping and cleaning and cooking...
I got to see all the people I love in my life (minus a couple and plus a few surprises) and I got watch my daughter realize for the first time what happens on Christmas.
I hope all of you out there had the BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!
No comments:
Post a Comment