This Christmas was very different than last, seeing that Emaline is a pro at opening presents now and realizes what is under that shiny happy paper. We started the morning off pretty late, Em slept until almost 10am! Then we got right down to business, but that didn't take long considering we really don't do a big blow out of gifts at our house...yet. I made eggs and bacon and we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and then off to get ready for Nana and Pepere's house. Now their place is a little different.
When we got there, the living room was piles of presents already separated out for each of us. Emaline's favorite though would have to be her Little Einsteins Pat-Pat Rocket (she wants to take it everywhere), thanks Aunt Stephy! My parents always go a little overboard with Christmas and I can't even imagine how next year is going to be when we add another kid to the mix. It took us roughly 2 hours just to get through the gifts--and that was hurrying up! We had a great afternoon meal of turkey (and I got ham, hee hee) and all the dressings. We then loaded up the car with all our treasures and headed over to the Little household to start all over again.
Emaline didn't have a nap, but surprisingly she did awesome for the day! We showed up at Grandma and Papa's about 3:30pm and went straight into gifts before all the extended family started to arrive for dinner. Emaline really made out like a bandit this year, especially with some really cute clothes and fun learning toys. She especially like the Leapfrog Globe she got from Grandma & Papa, now she knows where everything is on what she calls her "talking planet". Dinner was great and we got to see a lot of Audrey's family that we don't usually see during the year. Emaline and I were done at right before 8pm when my parents came over to exchange gifts with The Littles. She passed out right on the couch in the middle of everything! So her and I went home and Josh got to visit with his family for a little longer. It was a very long day, but always a good time. We hope that everyone had a safe and happy holiday and got to spend such wonderful time with their family and friends. Merry Christmas!
Every year we head over to my parents' house at some point to open one gift on Christmas Eve, its usually the gifts we get from my Godmother Valarie and her family. Thanks to her for always sending them so early! We enjoyed some appetizers and drinks for dinner and watched Emaline run circles around the house clearly because she had too much sugar or carbs. Its like she's preparing for a marathon...then she falls and we call it quits and by we, I mean Mom and Nana. She got to wear her new Christmas jammies that I bought from PB Kids and she learned all the reindeer names because they were covered in them. So Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer was sung alot that night :-) Emaline also knows Jingle Bells and Dashing Through the Snow and it is hilarious to hear her sing them on her own. I desperately tried to get it recorded on video, but alas, my timing was really off this year. :-( So, here are a few snapshots:
Thanks to Senor Peter Schrappen for organizing another year of festive cheer and merriment in the form of giving away random gifts to each other. Although, this year's event was much more laid back and "family friendly" due to the new addition of Olive to the Schrappen Family. It was a smaller turn out and very intimate, to say the least. This year's festivities were held at the Holidome (Holiday Inn, South County) and was complete with a pool table, pin pong table, clock radio playing holiday music and indoor swimming pool (for those of the brave of heart). Josh and I were fortunate to go together and I had a great time visiting with my friends that I hardly ever get to see anymore! Erin and Sarah were in from out of town and I also got to meet my friend Carrie's new "man friend". Josh and I got respectively, an Amoco Holiday record and a portable putting game set, so another year made out with great gifts. After we shut down the bar at the Holiday Inn at 11pm, we sauntered over to Frailey's across the street for some much needed Imo's (delivered straight into the bar) and more non-alcoholic drinks for us ladies with child.
Thanks again to everyone for making it such a fun night to hang out and catch up, I love seeing everyone at RYN! Also a shout out to Meghan, who hopefully is feeling much better... :-) Have a great New Year everyone!
Again this year we went out to my sister's house to help her and her in-laws celebrate their Christmas and it was great to see everyone! Emaline had a great time playing with the boys and Kaya was a great addition to the mix. She had a great time! At least she sounded like she was having a good time with all that laughing and screaming only babies can get away with :-). Stephani put out another great spread and I thought my poor belly was going to spilt right down the middle! My contribution this year were Cranberry Brie bites made with phyllo cups. I think my Mom was right saying the puff pastry worked better last time...but still tasty.
The kids did a great job (with Uncle Adham's help) putting up all the ornaments and lights on Steph's tree. It turned out beautiful! We always have a great time doing this and hope Steph and Adham continue the fun tradition.
We made the annual trek to Wright City to cut down our Christmas Tree yet again this year. (We actually missed last year due to some serious ice/snow storms...) It was really a pleasant day and not as cold as I expected it to be. We started off with breakfast at Denny's in Lake Saint Louis and then headed off to Country Pines off Hwy M. It was me, Josh, Emaline, Nana, Pepere, Aunt Kayleigh, Aunt Stephy, Uncle Adham and Kaya--and even Tabasco made an appearance. Poor Lt. Dan had to stay home this time around :-(. Thankfully, Josh survived the day...he had to work the night before and was a real trooper in making sure he baby girl got her cut down tree.
