Christmas 2008

(long post, but a ton of great memories to share! Pictures at the bottom of entry)

John's first Christmas was incredible - although in hind site - I think our next baby will just get rolls of wrapping paper under the tree. John had so much fun playing the trash than he did anything else. :)

Christmas Eve was spent at Nana and Grandpa's house. Uncle Chris and Aunt Adrienne came down from Oklahoma (Cousin Tyler was with his Dad, but we sure missed him!) We spent the day cooking a great turkey dinner with all the fixins' - and an incredible "sweet potato crunch" side dish (compliments of Aunt Adrienne) that I MUST get the receipe for - as it needs to be shared with the Richards and Rouse families - it is right up their alley. John danced with Elmo and showed off his walking skills. We all talked and laughed and played with John, it was a great evening!

Nana and Grandpa could not wait until later in the evening to give John his first christmas present - so he got to open a rocking horse with a baby saddle (picture in slideshow) that nays when you touch it - it is pretty cool.

Later that evening, after dinner (at which John tried desperately to take a poo) we all dove into presents - incredible gifts and memories were shared! John got fabulous toys, some books, a CD that he can dance to, and much more....THANK YOU!

The Jones have a tradition at their house around Christmas - these little "elves" come by the house and leave presents when the kids are good. Each year, the elves bring PJ's for everyone on Christmas Eve. No one has actually seen these elves, but the gifts just magically appear. This year, I was sworn in as an elf helper - and I botched it real good - doubt they ask me to help again. After leaving a bag of goodies on the front porch, I was going to let myself back in the nursery door and no one would have been the wiser - oh ya - I LOCKED MYSELF OUT! Needless to say the elves will be making their own deliveries from now on. This is a great tradition that will continue forever! (This year the elves brought Carl an extra special pair of glow in the dark adult footsie pajamas!)

I think John knew Santa was coming - he WOULD NOT go to bed. The plan was to put him down over there and then scoop him up and take him home. John liked his plan better - he got to stay up and play with Uncle Chris until after 9:00. Then he finally took a poo and was able to get comfortable - so we headed home.

Around 6:30 Christmas morning I went in and woke up John. We headed down stairs (although I am so glad we captured this moment on film - I am sorry that I did not have enough time to get ready yet!) to find that Santa had left John a big stuffed dog under the tree. He loved it.

After breakfast - off we went to Edmond for Christmas Day party at Grammy and Granddaddy's house.

We opened presents from the gift exchange in the early afternoon - there were so many presents and people, it went by so fast! While we were cooking dinner, Grammy presented all the girls with a red apron with a little christmas charm sewed on the front. So cute - Thank you! Then it was time for a prime rib dinner with a ton of sides and deserts to compliment. (note: dinner time was stated at 2:00, we ate at 3:30 - NOT BAD GIRLS!)

After dinner we talked and cleaned and laughed and talked and cleaned some more. Janna & crowd and Suzi & Gary had another Christmas function to be at later that night - not sure how they did it!

John got a bath in the infamous blue tub and then it was off to bed. The rest of us settled into a movie - of which, I (yes me) was THE ONLY one who stayed awake through the whole thing. Carl did not make it more than 5 minutes! Finally we all went to bed - only to have John wake up and stay up until 2:00. Awesome.

Friday we slept in a bit and then had breakfast when Uncle Brent, Aunt Abbey (+1) and cousin Brendan came over. After breakfast - you guessed it - MORE presents! Another incredible spread of presents and memories were made. Once again, John played in the torn up wrapping paper the most. Amognst other things, John got a minature OU football helmet signed by all of the 2008 running backs, a "quad-cycle" (tricycle, but had 4 wheels), and a personalized elmo backpack.

The rest of the day was spent watching TV, taking naps (only the kids this time, although I think all of us could have used one), talking, cleaning some more, playing, preparing dinner, running to the store becuase Suzi threw out Grammy's rosemary :), playing outside with Brendan's new big wheel toy thing, and making stockings! Abbey and I were the only ones who actually made stockings, but everyone stopped in the kitchen at some point to give their opinion - or lack there of! Yes, I know there is 365 days untl next Christmas, but this way - they are all ready! And we jsut need to make the new baby one when we have a name.

Grammy made a great dinner (I can not remember the name) and we all sat down to eat - only to find John was trying to take another poo. I do not know what it is about him pooing at dinner! I told everyone one to look away and stop laughing becuase they were going to give him a complex! Grammy played with him on the floor and he was able to make stinky pants!

Stephanie came over to visit for a bit, but was cut short due to bed time for both the boys - once 7:00 hits - it is all down hill. John warmed up to her immediately. They tickled the tree and she helped get him changed and ready for bed.

What a great Christmas to remember!

Happy Birthday Jesus!