Christmas Day 2013

Christmas this year was super fun!!  It was very fun buying and giving gifts to our children this year.  There were very grateful, and it was just a great day.  This year, Claire asked for a purple rubber ducky and Barbie doll for Christmas.  Jackson asked for a snowboard and 2 skateboards (1 for his best friend Ben).  We continued with our 4 gifts idea from last year.  Jackson and Claire also bought gifts for each other.  They also get stocking gifts.

Jackson:
Want:  Ninja Turtle Sewer Hideout (and extra skateboard and snowboard)
Need:  Basketball
Wear:  Ninja Turtle T-Shirt
Read:  What Does a Fox Say?

Claire:
Want:  Doc McStuffins Check Up Center
Need:  Paper and Markers
Wear:  Sofia Shirt and Leggings
Read: Audrey Bunny

Cookies for Santa

We went to church with my parents Christmas Eve night.  Then, we went back to their house to spend time with them.  Claire fell asleep on the way home, so Jackson had milk, cookie, and reindeer duty himself.  Santa had cookies, Chex Mix, and marshmallows.  He had sparkling apple cider to drink.  The cutest thing Jackson did was when he put the reindeer food on our driveway.  He made 9 individual piles (one for each reindeer); and left the largest pile in the front (for the lead reindeer...they would need a little extra energy since they are pulling a sleigh!) 

Christmas Eve: Christmas with Nandee and Pop

Baking Christmas Treats

We usually have a night of baking sometime around Christmas.  This year we made sugar cookies and Chex Mix.  It was a much less emotional event that the building and creating of the gingerbread house.

Looking at EPB Lights

Sweet Home Alabama

We had a fun time celebrating with my family in Alabama.  It was a very different Christmas, as it was the first Christmas without my grandmother.  We miss her so much.  And as hard as it was, we got together. We laughed and we all tried to dodge our 20 year old candy cane.  And we were still unsuccessful at getting a picture of all of the great grandchildren.  Not gonna lie....it was a hard day.  I am thankful for my Hope in Him that I will see Mimi again.

Gingerbread House: An Emotional Experience

So, I bought a Gingerbread kit at Target for us to build.  It was a piece of crap.  Really, it was.  It started off very grand.  After Jackson and Claire began to decorate it, the icing would not hold the structure together.  It fell apart.  So, after trying to put it back together multiple times, and suggesting hot glue (Blake vetoed)...I did what any good mother did...I said, "Just eat it!"  It tasted awful, too!  But, it did dry up the tears!