We had family Christmas with the extended family at Grandma and Granddad's the weekend before Christmas. It was the first time we have had it at their house in a few years, and I must say, it felt good to be back. We had a great time seeing everyone, meeting the 5-day-old newest family member Austin, watching the little ones get excited about presents, having our first white elephant gift exchange (though Courtney and I were the only ones brave enough to steal!), laughing at the little girls running all day long, and as usual, eating way too much. Family time is always sweet, but this year, for some reason, it was extra sweet.
The week of Christmas consisted of last minute gift wrapping, Jesse's traditional last minute shopping, laundry, packing, and baking MORE goodies. I think it will be May before I decide to bake another cookie!!
Christmas Eve, Jesse and I got the kiddos to bed and then went to town putting together Ryleigh's new kitchen. My mother-in-law had found it for a great deal, and once we opened the box, we knew why! It came in a million pieces!! Haha. It was a labor of love, for sure, but once it was together and the stockings were stuffed, we both were anxious to see the excitement in Ryleigh's eyes on Christmas morning.
Ah yes~ it was sweet indeed.
And even Wesley got into his new toy, spinning the steering wheel all by himself and smiling all the way.
Jesse and I watched Ryleigh play in her kitchen, sit in her new purple Tinkerbell chair, and ask to open the Play Do, while finishing our coffee, then it was time to get to work!
We only had "Santa" and stockings at home, and then it was time to finish last minute packing and load up the truck to head to Houston. Apparently, Ryleigh was afraid that in all the commotion, she would be left behind...
Once we finally got to Mom and Dad's, it was obvious that Christmas morning was in full swing!
After breakfast, everyone assumed their spots, and we settled in for a long Christmas gift-opening marathon!
Julie was very happy to have something to open besides a candle...
(Apparently that was what she opened before we got there, while slightly anxious for our arrival. I don't know the whole story, so I probably shouldn't even go there.)
On a side note, see Brent and Susan's stockings hanging, lonely on the mantle? Sadly, they cannot travel during the holidays, so we missed them. Luckily, we video-chatted later in the evening, and at least shared a few laughs with them. (Minus the mooning by Brent...gross, brother!!)
Micah and Sarah were there, and we enjoyed hanging out with them, as usual. I know they have been married a year and a half, but sometimes, they still make me giggle with their cute-newly wedded bliss.
Ryleigh was overwhelmed with gifts galore! Once she received her new pink princess tent, the rest was history. Everything went into the tent...including Daddy!
Later, the girls worked on dinner and entertaining cute babies...
...while Dad and Micah fried a turkey!
And I must say, the turkey was so good, it made me want to go get a fryer, a turkey, and do it again the next day.
We ate dinner, played with toys, including Dad's new Wii (whose butt I kicked in bowling, I might add), and then went to town on the amazing desserts. It was a fun, fun day, and we enjoyed spending time with the Holder family.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Saturday morning, we packed up again, and headed to Jesse's parent's house for Thanksgiving with the Shulse family. Justin and Jenn's crew stayed all weekend, and we were excited to spend some time with them, since it had been a long time since we had been able to hang out. We actually decided at some point to go to the movies in the afternoon. Papa and RaRa stayed home with sleeping Wesley, Jenn took the little boys and Ryleigh to go see the new chipmunk movie, and the rest of us went to see The Blind Side. It was fun to go to the movies (I don't remember the last time I went), and I really loved the movie! It will definitely be in my movie collection when it comes out.
That night, we had Christmas with all of them back at the Shulse house. The living room looked like a tornado had come through, with Christmas paper and presents everywhere! It was good to see Ryleigh give the presents to her cousins, and be genuinely excited to see if they liked them. Sadly, I totally forgot to take pictures while we were with them, and so have nothing to show for the fun time. We again ate too much, topping off the night with birthday cake for Jesus. :)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Sunday morning, we cleaned up and then Jesse and I went to a cool furniture store in Tomball. (Furniture was my present from him.) They had a lot of cool pieces, and if I was a millionaire, I would certainly consider scraping everything in my house and starting over at their store. But, I'm not a millionaire, so that is not going to happen. We did find a couple pieces we might go back and purchase. We're still debating if they will fit where we want them, and serve the purpose we need.
After that, we met my family at a cool little restaurant and enjoyed lunch before heading to see the Transiberian Orchestra in concert. Though it was totally not what I imagined and it was a long show, I must say, it was pretty stinkin' amazing. It never ceases to amaze me how talented people are! You could tell that they all love what they do, and get great enjoyment out of performing and bringing enjoyment to others. As Sarah said, we definitely "got our money's worth." It was a fabulous show, and I'd recommend them to anyone.
Once the show was over, we went back to the Shulse house to pack up, pick up the kiddos, and drive back home, so Jesse could work Monday morning. A quick caffeine run made sure we could make it home, and we were off. Wesley did good in the car, only fussing a little at the end of the ride. We got home, quickly unloaded the MOUNDS of gifts, bags of clothing, and toys, dumping them in a large pile in the living room. Everyone got into their jammies and fell asleep.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Monday was spent recovering, organizing the gifts and putting things in their new homes, and moving things to make room for all the new loot. I must say, to hear what a horrible "recession" we are in, you sure wouldn't know it looking at our living room!
Monday night, Wesley officially transitioned to his nursery. And (knock on wood), it has been GREAT so far. I have been putting him down between 9:30 and 10, and he has slept until 5am one night, 3:30 one night, and then 5:30 last night!! I'm a new woman. I think the move was good for all of us, and I'm so happy he is doing so well.
On a side note, how do you like his new quilt from Micah and Sarah we finally hung and the new rug from Gaga and Granddaddy? I know I have plain taste, but I must say, his nursery is exactly what I always envisioned for my son. I love it!
The rest of this week has been spent hanging out. Jesse had to work Monday, but he took off Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday to hang out with us. We have made the run to exchange a few gifts, planned some fun new meals, and hung out on the couch watching movies.
Well, except Ryleigh and Wesley, who like to sit in their chairs instead....
Ryleigh has been playing with all her new toys non-stop, as you can tell from the mess that is her room. WOW, that girl can make a mess.
Wesley has been watching football with Daddy, and they have plotted about him going out for the team next year. ANYTHING would be better than the team that showed up in the Independence Bowl this week!
Tonight is New Year's Eve. 2009 is finally coming to an end, and I think I'm ready to see it go. We have hats, bazookas, and champagne to ring in the New Year tonight.
I hope your holidays were equally merry, and I wish you the best for 2010!
2 comments:
I'm glad y'all had a great Christmas (especially Ryleigh, who is at such a cute age!). Oh and I love Wesley's room.
Happy New Year!
sooo cute cannot believe Wesley sitting on the bumbo...adorable and Ryleigh so excited for Christmas, can't wait to hug you in a few weeks!!!!
Post a Comment