Merry Christmas

We've had a great week of Christmas so far.  It ends tomorrow with our final holiday gathering in Waco.  It's all been as wonderful as Christmas should be.  However, I'm sitting here with an ache in my heart that was put there by the Webb crew.  See, we usually spend several days at Christmas with my mom's side of the family, but the Webbs just went off to Australia this Christmas and ditched the rest of us.  Sniff, sniff.  I just finished reading Remy's posts about their trip so far (see 'The Webbs' to the right) and SO wish I could be there with them.  I know they're having a blast but I want to go on record saying that I protest this break in tradition!  Christmas just doesn't seem right this year without Spades tournaments and Aunt Margaret's cookies.  

We have had plenty of fun celebrating with those that are in Texas this year.  We had a great time with my mom, brothers, and sisters-in-law last Sunday.  I'll post pics of that gathering eventually--I forgot my camera but Melissa got some cute shots.  We spent Christmas Eve with the Durands in Ft. Worth where Susie fed us the. most. amazing. meal. ever!  The kids got so many presents that they quickly got overwhelmed with it all and melted down.  They recovered in time for pie and hot chocolate before we headed home for bed.  We gave them presents on Christmas morning (a bike, helmets for each, puzzles) before heading back to Ft. Worth for our annual meal at the McDonalds' house (sweet and precious friends---parents of Coleman and Kristen who we visited in Germany and who are coming back to the US next week!!!!!).  Both kids fell in love with Coleman's younger brother, Scott, while we were there.  It was probably the most laid back of our celebrations because there were very few presents involved---just a great meal and hanging out with friends.  I'm thinking that we need to have more relaxing Christmas celebrations next year...(hint,hint to our parents).  Here are a few pics of the kids loving Christmas.

Sleeping with the puppy dog G gave him---he loves this cuddly guy!

Reading Christmas stories with Grandpa

Too bad they opened this Cash Register from Nana and Grandpa first---they loved it so much that they didn't care much about their other presents.

They received TONS of new food items for their kitchen as well as a toaster and this mixer. Addi brought us "breakfast" in bed on Christmas morning using some of her new things.

She LOVES Nana's hot cocoa!

Jackson's favorite present was a truck that makes noise. The truck isn't in the pic but Grandma was just pushing it across the table to him and he was SO excited.

This pusher was a big hit with Jackson. It was a gift from his Phoenix cousins along with the cute outfit he's sporting.

They both have a lot of fun kicking soccer goals (Addi's gift from Caroline).

He got lots of new puzzles for Christmas and spent quite a chunk of time this morning trying them all out.

Jackson really did love this guy. He would stop his playing to run give Scott random hugs and slobbery kisses. For a kid who usually gives the evil eye to any unfamiliar person who dares speak to him, I was impressed with how much time he spent on Scott's lap.

Addi got her first real bike for Christmas! She wants to ride it all the time and really enjoys zooming around the driveway. She's crashed several times already but just gets up, sets the bike back up, then hops back on. Don't you just love the cute helmet?

Jackson got a helmet, too! He wasn't wild about wearing it at first but got over it pretty quickly.

Merry Christmas!  I will have pics from our Strickland celebration and a few other fun gift pictures soon.  Best gift of all:  time with friends and family (obviously) and knowing that we get to see Coleman and Kristen back in Texas next Saturday!!!