About a week before Christmas we had a small family Christmas at home. It wasn't a big Christmas for Connor this year as we really didn't think he needed too many more toys and since the only thing he asked for was candy, we lucked out and had a pretty low key Christmas. I'm sure we'll indulge him more once he starts asking for things, but for now, he was happy with just a few gifts. He certainly liked opening presents and ripping through the wrapping paper.
Probably what he liked best though, was the night before, we set out a Christmas cake for Santa and some carrots for the reindeer. While Connor was sleeping, Jeff and I took a few bites out of the cake and ate some of the carrots, but Connor was more than happy to finish the rest of Santa's cake the next morning. He really liked that.
The Thursday before Christmas we headed to Amarillo to spend time with Jeff's family. His sister Stacey was home from her time working on a cruise ship, so Connor got to see her for the first time in months and this was the first time in 2 years that she has been home for the Holidays.
It was a lot colder in Amarillo than in Houston, but it was nice to have that kind of weather over Christmas. The first night we actually had a few snow flurries and then we had a full on white Christmas with about 6 inches of snow on Christmas day. It was beautiful and Connor actually loved playing in it. He liked just walking through it, pushing snow off of things, and of course throwing snow balls. Surprise, surprise, Connor liked throwing something. We ate great food and saw some family friends.
We also got to have our second Christmas. Connor being the only little one, got to help open everyone else's presents. He also liked handing out the gifts. Sometimes he'd get it wrong, but we'd figure it out. We all got some really great gifts. Connor's favorite may have been Toy Story. He immediately fell in love with that movie.
Even though Amarillo got 6 inches of snow on Christmas (Sunday) we were able to get out on Monday without a hitch. It's nice being somewhere that is more used to snow than a place like Houston that shuts down if there are snow flurries or the threat of ice.
On Wednesday morning, we drove to Bryan for our third Holiday gathering. This time we got together with my family, including my newly engaged sister Julie and her fiance Brian. Brian proposed on Christmas day. We are all very happy for them. The wedding will be next fall in Colorado.
Our first night in town, we got a babysitter and went out to eat. We decided to go to a sports bar so we could watch the UT bowl game. It turned out to be a lot of fun, because we could play pool and darts too. It's always nice to get away just the adults, especially with four young kids at home and of course one more on the way.
The next day was Tivo Christmas Eve, so we all put on our ugliest Christmas tops and celebrated in style. Traditionally on Christmas Eve we do a white elephant exchange. The gifts are usually pretty silly and it's always a lot of fun. One of the highlights was the slang term flash cards that I got. They are hilarious. On Christmas Eve, we also have the men create Christmas balls. It's basically biscuits coated in sugar and cinnamon with chocolate in the middle. They are delicious and the men always have fun making them. Just imagine all the ball preparation puns. It gets a little out of hand, but it's funny.
On Tivo Christmas Day, we held off the kids until about 9AM and then we all opened stockings. After stockings, we sing Happy Birthday to Jesus and have yummy coffee cake. While eating cake, we let the kids open their gifts. We actually managed to get them to open one at a time, but the hardest part was keeping them from stealing each other's gifts. Martin, at age 6 was pretty understanding, but the littlest ones, Winnie (4) and Connor (2) and Libby(2), still aren't quite so comfortable sharing. We survived though and I think they all enjoyed their gifts. Luckily we had great weather the whole time we were in Bryan, so we could play outside any time we wanted to. That gave them space to play with their toys in peace. During nap time and after the kids went to bed, the adults opened their gifts. What a great Christmas.
The next day, we finally caught up to the rest of the world and got ready for New Year's Eve. During the day, we were happy to watch A&M beat Northwestern in their bowl game. Jeff, Connor, and I also went to the Bryan Children's Museum for what they called a "Noon Year's Eve" celebration. They had decorations up, snacks, and then at noon, they counted down from 10 and dropped a small decorative ball from the ceiling. It was cute.
For the adult New Year's Eve celebration, we had our traditional dinner of heavy appetizers so we didn't have to have a big sit down dinner and boy did we eat well. We each made something and we had plenty of food. Arthur even made split pea soup with a new pot he got for Christmas and it was delicious. We also set off some fireworks. We let the kids watch a few of the smaller ones and once they went to bed, we set off some bigger ones. It was really fun and festive.
Before we headed back on Sunday (New Year's Day), the ladies got to go out to lunch to celebrate my Mom's birthday, which was two days later. Since it was a holiday, not much was open, so we ended up at Olive Garden, but we still had a really nice time. Even though we had been together for 4 days, it felt like the first time we had all had a chance to really catch up. I feel so lucky that we are such a close family.
After Connor got up from his nap, we headed back to Sugar Land and regrouped after two weeks of Holiday celebrations. It took me a few days to recover, but I know it was well worth it. What great times.
Daddy reads Connor "Twas the Night Before Christmas" at home about a week in advance. Connor called it the "Rudolf the Reindeer book."
Connor setting out the cake and carrots for Santa.
The note TO Santa. Click on the photo to enlarge it and read it.
The next morning, Santa wrote a note back to Connor. Click on the photo to enlarge and read it.
Connor's first Christmas Day, he liked ripping open the presents.
Connor's most special gift from Mom and Dad/Santa was a baseball/football toss. It's got a hole with a net, so he can practice his throwing and aiming at a target. He seems to really like it and hopefully it will grow with him.
Our first night in Amarillo and Connor wanted to play golf outside despite the frigid temperatures and snow flurries. Aunt Stacey was a good sport to play with him for a while, but eventually they both needed to go inside and thaw out.
Cold but happy.
On Friday morning, me, Pagger Don, and Connor all went to the American Quarter Horse Museum. It was a nice indoor activity we could do and it gave Connor a chance to run around a bit. Since it was two days before Christmas there weren't many guests so we had the run of the place, which was nice.
Here Connor is showing off his riding skills on the mechanical horse. He really liked to ride it. Good thing Pagger Don had tokens.
On Friday, we also went to an indoor bounce house place. Connor didn't do much bouncing at first, because he fell in love with this ride on motorcycle that they had there.
Eventually though, we all had fun bouncing along.
Sliding down a fun bouncy house.
Going down a big slide with Daddy.
We decided to do Christmas one day early, so we read Twas the Night Before Christmas on Friday night.
On Christmas Day, Connor got right into the gifts with a brand new remote control truck. Very cool.
Connor celebrating Christmas and enjoying his candy canes from Santa.
Connor helping Gigi open her present.
Showing off my Christmas spirit with my Christmas sweater and handmade "Santa Baby" shirt.
We found a small pile of snow and Connor had a blast throwing it. Jeff would make a big production when it hit him so Connor was laughing hysterically. It was really cute. He didn't quite understand when his hands started hurting though.
Connor had fun riding his plasma car down the steep hill of the golf course. Wheeee!
Some snuggle time after a long nap.
Connor playing with his new toys with Pagger Don.
Our white Christmas in Amarillo.
Connor mesmerized by the snow.
Playing in the snow with Aunt Stacey.
We all got in on the fun. Here is Gigi, Aunt Stacey, and Connor.
On our last night, Stacey got to read Connor stories.
Our first night in Bryan and the kids settle in at the pub to watch Yo Gabba Gabba. Not exactly what my Dad had in mind when he built the pub. Ha!
That evening, we went to the Fox and Hound to watch football, play pool, and play darts.
Julie helping me make Christmas cookies. It was a mess but well worth it. They were decorative and tasty.
Jeff getting snuggles from the two youngest kiddos.
Showing off our ugly Christmas tops and our love on Tivo Christmas Eve. Ahhh.
Julie and Brian showing their Christmas spirit.
Mrs. and Mr. Claus get in the spirit.
Reading Twas the Night Before Christmas to all the grandkids.
The men making Christmas balls on Christmas Eve.
Connor examining his stocking loot and especially liking the Santa candy canes.
Singing Happy Birthday to Jesus.
Connor trying out his new motorcycle. We found the same one he loved at the bounce place and got it for him at Christmas.
Oh my goodness, we got a visit from Santa. Connor hid behind me, but the D'Andreas seemed pretty interested.
Connor and Daddy doing a cheers to Aunt Julie and Uncle Brian on their engagement.
Daddy and Connor watching the Aggies beat Northwestern on New Year's Eve day.
Connor and Martin played an impromptu game of empty box basketball. Despite the 4 year age difference, Connor could actually hold his own.
On New Year's Eve we had a fun firework display capping off a great Holiday season.
Christmas balls!! I am SO going to need the recipe for those chocolate salty balls. :)
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