Christmas in Slidell

My Uncle Mike and Aunt Suki live about 2 hours away from Daniel's grandparents, so we always like to my the hop over and spend an afternoon with them. I love to visit their house because its filled with so many sweet memories for me. This is the same house that the had when I was little. I'm not very great at keeping in touch through out the year, but it is always so easy and comfortable to be with Aunt Suki and Uncle Mike each time we visit him.

London just loved her Aunt Suki to pieces.

I love the picture bellow because I remember so many times sitting and watching Aunt Suki in the kitchen. It was magical to see my little girl doing the same.

We had a scrumptious lunch and great visit and then it was back to Purvis.

Christmas in Purvis

Christmas with Daniel's family is what I think all family-Christmases should be... beautiful, crazy, chaos. A house full of people that grew up together and those of us who were just lucky enough to marry into such wonderfulness. A house full of little feet running through each room with giggles and games that they've just made up. A house that smells of the heavenly aroma of so much food that there is no way it could all be eaten. A house full of love and memories. It is beautiful and every time we are there I feel so blessed. I had Christmases of the same kind with my own family when I was I child, but sadly after my Grandmother passed away things haven not been the same. But alas the beauty still still lives in Purvis, and my heart is happy for my babes who get to have these precious times and memories.

Every year Daniel's grandparents think of a way to engage the kids in the telling of the Christmas story. This year, they outdid themselves and had each little dress up as a character from the story. All the girls were angels and the boys were shepherds. An older cousin, Paulina, was Marry and her boyfriend was Joseph. My heart smiled the entire time the story was read aloud. I think this memory will stick with our kids forever.

And of course, there are the presents! Tons of them! And so much fun for the kiddos. Dylan is already counting down until easter when we will all be together in Purvis again!

Christmas in Mississippi

So the first stop on our Grand Christmas Tour of Mississippi (seriously, we bounce all over the place so much that it feels like just that) was my sister Dee Dee's house. We had planned to leave our house Christmas day around noon and end up at her house around 9, it is only a seven hour drive, but with two littles it take a bit longer. Well as I will say often in reference to our Holidays, things did not go according to plan. We wanted to wait and make sure that London would not be sick since she was the night before and we did not leave the house until about 2:00. We had to turn around twice, once when we were about 15 miles out, so we were not really on the road until about 2:45. The good news is that the kids slept a lot of the way. They took an afternoon nap and then went to sleep at their normal 7:30 bedtime. We were about to make it there in a record breaking 7.5 hours, ya'll! Praise the Lord!

We had a great visit with my sister,Dee Dee, and niece, Reagan, and hit then hit the sack. We planned to have lunch with my oldest sister, Tammy and niece, Paige, at Dee Dee's house but when we woke up to SNOW (seriously, so random in MS) things got a bit panickey. We did not want to get "snowed in" aka more that an inch of snow (really, thats just how it is in MS) or be stuck in crazy traffic on our way to Purvis so we decided to hit the road an hour early. I sent Daniel out to get our luggage out of the car and when he came back inside all heck broke lose. He said "I don't know how to tell you this, but their suit case is not in the car." I asked him what in the wold he was talking about and after about 5 minutes of me freaking out realized that indeed, we had no clothing for our kids. Seriously. I planned each day what they kids would wear to perfectly coordinate with each other. I was sick. Luckily, my sister in law and nephews were also coming down to MS to see their family so the luggage did arrive later that night, but let me tell you it did not come with a lack of drama or panic on my end. Whew. And in the whirlwind, I didn't get to see my oldest sister and niece, which was one of the most disappointing parts of the trip.

The kids were oblivious to all the chaos and enjoyed snuggling their Aunt Dee Dee in her big comfy bed and watching tv. We stopped and picked them each up one outfit to wear to the Christmas party. Of course, it "wasn't what I planned", we should count how many time that phrase is used, but it worked. And we made it to Purvis on time and only slightly frazzled.

Christmas Morning

I don't know who is more excited the night before Christmas, me or the kids.
I remember the feelings of Christmas Eve as a child so well. The excitement and magic that makes it so imposable to sleep, even though you know that its the only way St Nick will come. Ugh. Its torture... and its wonderful, all at the same time. I think Because I remember those feelings, I feel them all over again for my kids now that I'm a mom. When Dylan told me "Mommy, I'm just so excited." I felt it. I knew it. I swear I turn into a 6 year old too on Christmas Eve. Its that Christmas magic, I think.

Alas, the kids and I did fall asleep despite all the magic floating in the air. Sadly, London was a tad sick for a bit of the night, but she seemed to feel better when morning came. I mean, how could she not? Look at all those goodies under our tree! Dylan woke us all up around 6:30 and the show was on the road!

Every year Daniel looks half asleep in our Christmas pictures. I love this sleepy head!

So, as I mentioned in the last post, I had matching pjs that I have been planning on my sweet things wearing, but London got sick and we had to change her. So, the picture of the two of them sitting in their matching pjs in front of our Christmas tree that was filled with presents under it... that never happened. In hind sight, I should have thrown the pjs into the washer and dryer during the night. Who needs sleep when you can get a perfect picture? Or I could have recreated the moment later in the week before taking down the tree. Darn nap it. Oh well... we'll have to get that photo opp next year. With or without that picture, the morning was splendid and perfectly special. And I'm the only one who cared at all about the photo, and over all, I don't care too much about it. What I care about is all the beautiful memories of Christmas morning with our family. The excitement and the joy in the air that emanated from my children. Their laughs and shrills of excitement as the opened their gifts. Dylan declaring that there were so many gifts! Thats what is important to me. Thats what its all about.

Favorite Gifts from Christmas morning? I would say for London it was her baby dolls or her "lap top.", simply because those are what she's played with most. For Dylan I'm almost positive that its was his first ever Nerf Gun. This kid has wanted one for ever and I have not been very willing to let him have one, but thats a whole post in itself. Point is, I caved and he was thrilled!!!

I planned to fix a big breakfast after presents, but I was exhausted from being up with London and all she wanted to do was lay with me and cuddle. So, I think we had cereal. I don't even remember, one thing I've learned this past week is to let go and just live and enjoy (we'll see how long that last), and I don't think it even matters. It was an amazing Christmas and we are blessed. Oh! And as an extra sweet bonus, Grammy spent the night with us and shared in the joy!

Christmas Eve Night

After my brother and his family left, we all got ready for the Christmas Eve service at church. It was cold, we were all tired, the kids wanted to play with there new toys, and so we almost didn't go. It would have been easier to just stay home. But it was so much lovelier at chruch. I'm so glad w pulled ourselves together and went.

Candlelight services get me every time. They hit me right in that sweet, sentimental, overly emotional spot. The spot that makes every moment of whats going on seems so beautiful and so important. The one that makes you think "breath this moment in, remember it forever." Sappy, I know. Its that darn spot. I did soak it up though. The warmth of my husbands hand holding mine, his deep voice singing the hymns of Christmas. My mom singing silent night in the candle light, her eyes closed with her taking in the moment as well and her voice singing with mine. Watching a very pregnant woman rubbing her belly as she sang in the candle light, most likely imagining Christmases to come with her sweet babe. The family with what looked to be two college kids and a mother that was gleaming to be their with her "babies." The magic of a church full of people singing a capella with their candles lighting the whole sanctuary in soft candle light that danced off their faces. I'm telling 'ya I soaked it all in. That spot gets me every time.

So do these too sweeties that stayed in the nursery. One day they will be old enough to sit through the service with us, and my heart will beam.

When we got home we sat down to a nice dinner. I had planned to set the table and make it beautiful but it was much later that we usually eat, and we just through it all on the table and enjoyed. And that was still beautiful. And my pork loin? Fabulous, if I do say so.

Next we did a Christmas Eve must. We baked Cookies for Santa. Let me tell ya'll, I love to bake. I love to make beautiful cookies. Baking with kids? A little hard for me. The cookies never come out "beautifully" but they are made with love and passion, and that makes them beautiful. We tried to roll the dough out and cut it into cute shapes, but we ending up with rolled balls. Beautiful rolled balls. And Santa loved them.

London fell straight to sleep after the cookies. In fact, she didn't even make it to bed. She fell asleep in my moms lap. But Dylan got to see his video message from Santa. This is the second year that he's "received" a message and he loves it! I love watching his face!

We tucked the kids in and watched a bit of a Christmas Carol with my mom, who spent the night with us. About 20 minutes into the movie, London through up, bless her little heart. I had to change her out of her Christmas Pjs. This really isn't a big deal, but I had planned their pjs to match (as I do every year) and I was pretty sad that she wouldn't have them on Christmas morning. The important thing is that she only got sick one more time during the night and then slept well until the morning.

Christmas Eve with the Family

Whew. I have to take a deep breath as I start saga of our Christmas blogging. There is a lot to cover, and to be honest, I've been putting it off because its a bit overwhelming. The solution? Blog in pieces and over a few days.

Lets start at the beginning, with Christmas Eve with my family.

As we do every year, we got together with my mom and my big brother and his family on Christmas Eve. This is the second year that we have done Christmas at our house. I love getting to host my family and Christmas is my favorite holiday, so this makes me a very happy girl.

London's hair in rag rollers for the first time ever.

We decided to do lunch and keep it simple rather than a big sit down dinner. I think simplicity is what works best for our family. Mom and I put together a menu with four different "mini sandwiches" and some easy sides. I think they were a hit and they were so easy to put together. In fact, Daniel and I sat on the couch with the kids all morning and watched a Christmas movie until an hour before our guest arrived. Stress free hosting? Yes, please!

As do we every year, we had a crazy amount of presents with only 9 people there to open them. We all love it though, especially the kids.

I cherish each time that all 9 of us are together. My mom, her two kids, and our kids. Its chaotic and loud but its oh so good! Life is so sweet, and I pray that we have many, many more times to all be together.

Happy New Years!

2010 was very good to us. We had a happy, healthy, and productive year and well, that's all one can ever ask for. I think back to the first day of 2010 and smile at the difference that one year can make. On this day last year our lives were great but today I would say even greater. I'm typing this as my two year old princess colors in the living and my boys are settled onto the sofa playing video games. My heart is completely happy. And yet, I know there is even more greatness to come!

Its been a while since I made a list of resolutions. It just isn't usually my thing. But this year, I'm feeling it. I'm feeling the inspiration to take on new challenges and to be better at challenges that already exist in my day to day life. Some of them are for me as an idividually, some are for me as a mommy and a wife, and some are for the whole family (isn't that nice of me to sign them up for this too!?). With out further ado:

1. Buy a good study Bible and study guide. Really find my spirituality.

2. Eat dinner at the table at least 4 nights a week.

3. Make time for date nights with hubby.

4. Make time for date night with mom.

5. Make time for date night with girls.

6. Get Dylan reading before K5 ends.

7. Try new and exciting recipies.

8. Get dressed AND put on makeup every weekday, except for Monday, because we all need a day off.

9. Do laundry every day instead of waiting for it to pile up.

10. Take a fabulous vacation.

11. Be in better control of spending habits (isn't that a lovely way of saying it?)

12.Set relalistic goals and expectations for myself. It might be possible that I really can't do everything.

13. Solve world hunger. Wait. Number 12.

So there. My goals for 2011. My rules for myself?

1. Its not all or nothing. If you fall off the wagon, jump back on to enjoy the rest of the ride.

2. This does not have to all start on Jan 1. It is goals for THROUGH OUT the year.

3. Have fun and enjoy life. You only get one.

So that's it. Off to enjoy the first night of this new year with three of my favorite people on earth.