Christmas Memories

We began our Christmas festivities on Christmas Eve morning with a brunch at Mimi and Papa's house. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, so I really look forward to this time. Here are Sleeping Beauty and Ariel after our meal, waiting paitently to open gifts. New monogrammed suitcases for traveling..... so fun!!! I can still remember getting my very own suitcase from my grandmother when I was a little girl.

Here is Daddy, supporting his new jacket, scarf and brown shoes....a true model!

Mimi and Papa loved the picture calendar we made for them.

You girls were "helping" Papa unwrap his gift!

A favorite item of the day, that was met with lots of screams (even from Daddy!), was the Vandy outfits and pompoms!

After coming back home from Mimi and Papa's to rest for awhile, we had some surprise guests....David "Shaubie" and his daughters came bringing gifts. You sure are two loved little girls!!!

The tradition now for over 7 years has been to get together for soup on Christmas Eve at Mammi and Big Daddy's. Mammi makes Turkey hash, a favorite among the family, and we play bingo, decorate gingerbread men, and exchange gifts. Mimi and Papa always join us, too. It is one of my favorite times of the holiday!

The gingerbread men.........

Playing bingo..........

Opening gifts..........pixos!!!

Jewelry from Camille and Wes

Finally home again that night, we went outside to put out the reindeer food..........

The Christmas loot from Santa!!!!!!!!!!

Your excited hugs after seeing what Santa left you........what you both had asked for... a new bike and scooter with matching helmets and knee pads!!!

Checking out the remains of the milk and cookies..........Santa sure must be full after all those cookies all night long. Caitlyn you said, "That is what makes his tummy jiggle around!"

A new silver and pink necklace from momma and daddy!

The other "coveted" item on Caroline's list......a Dora backpack!!!! Thank you, Santa!!!

Mommy and Daddy showing off our items from Caitlyn. You wanted us to wait for Christmas morning to open them. We loved our gold, macaroni wreath, a painted clay pinch pot and an ornament with a picture of you and Santa inside. Thank you, baby!

After we opened presents, we had another guest come see us. Mr. Davis (our next door neighbor) has,for years, gone from house to house and played Christmas carols on his baritone. It was such a treat for us to hear...our own personal concert!!!

I have such sweet memories of having Christmas brunch at Granny's growing up. I am not sure when Aunt Joy took this tradition over, but we have been going to her house for years now for the annual Christmas brunch. She and Uncle Wilson cook most of the food and it is AMAZING!!! We don't eat the rest of the day because we eat so much there!!! Amy looks like she ate a little too much.........no, she is still patiently waiting for little Josue' to make his entrace into the world. We are all so ready to meet this little guy!!!

It was a beautiful day, and we took your new bike and scooter to the brunch and you girls rode for a long time outside.

Sharing the scooter with Mariana...

Our final tradition is going to see a movie that afternoon. You girls have only seen five movies at a theater, so it is such a BIG DEAL! Mammi even splurged and got us a huge bucket of popcorn and drinks.

What a full and fun few days it has been!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We thank you, Jesus, for the miracle of your birth....we are so thankful to live in a place that will honor you at this time of year and take time to stop and be with loved ones and celebrate the reason for TRUE LIFE. We pray we can honor you each and every day as we love one another.