We had the best Christmas. We spent the majority of the morning at our house, and then headed over to the Denison’s house in the late afternoon. The presents were great, but in reality, everyone’s favorite part is the passel of kids and family around. Scout loved his presents, but loved his cousins WAY more. I love that he has so many fun cousins since I didn’t really grow up with a ton myself. The morning started out the same way it always does. We had a huge breakfast (with pastries) before any sort of Santa stuff. (Actually by this time, the kids have gotten their stockings. My poor sister Megan is always asked at the last minute, what extra stuff she has from her kid’s stockings so that I can come up with Scout’s load.) After we clean up breakfast, my mom introduces each child with his or her family. She usually tells any sort of embarrassing thing that transpired over the year. If things are too embarrassing, she just says our ages and what we got the night before. Here is our family getting the official introduction (as Navy does her “oh no” face):
Afterward, we sat around and opened slowly because according to my mom, “I spent months getting Christmas together, I want to see EVERYTHING that is opened.” And since I have helped her the last few years….I agree.
It seems that typically, we each get a “big” present. Scout got an electric quad that was everyone’s favorite. After he rode it forever, and shared it with his cousins, he started handing out rides to people. He loved it, and thank goodness he still does.
I got Micah UFC tickets to go with my brother and Brother in Law at the beginning of February. But I will have to admit that some of his gifts were more novelty than serious. (Micah has always said that I can never pass up a good novelty.) The reason he got a good chunk of these novelties was because about a month ago, he told me that his Christmas shopping was completely done. When I asked him in the world he got me, he said, “most of them are joke gifts.” Well, I thought it would be fitting to return the favor. I especially liked these cups that give you a custom nose when you drink from them.
Icky got clothes, toys, a tiny fire engine, a darling baby gold bracelet like the one I wore when I was a baby, but was mostly in heaven with all of the commotion.
I did get a few “joke” gofts in the form of cheese and salami, but I was also the lucky recipient of not only an amazing watch (nice trickery babe), but two sweet little motorcycles. One is technically for Tristen, but we are calling it mine because I am much more willing to let anyone and everyone ride them. (Lo Siento Sissy!) My Mom got me a great gift too. It is a trio of eternity bands — one diamond, one sapphire and one pink sapphire representing Micah and I, Scout and Navy.
My favorite gift of the day was the fort making set I put together for Scout. I got tons of brightly colored fabric, and a package of clothespins, and sent him on his way. the first fort came that night on Nonnie’s bed, and it was a good one. If I was a little kid, I think this would have been my dream present.
And last of all….speaking of novelty presents….how about these cool masks. Don’t ask why I had to have them. I just did!
The funny thing about me and Christmas is that as the day draws to a close, I start getting sad that it will be 365 more days until the next Christmas. I have never grown out of it, and hope I never will!
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