Christmas 2011

Right after our doctors appointment on Friday afternoon we headed west for Christmas 2011. We are very very very blessed that all of our family lives with in about 45 minutes of each other so we are able to do EVERYONE's Christmas- but it sure makes for a busy 2 days. 6 Christmas' in 24 hours... WHEW!

Sorry I have very few pictures. I took a ton- but my camera ate them ALL. I think it was a faulty memory card... one minute they were all there and the next there were "no images"---sad day. But it is like I told Chase if that is the worst thing that happens all Christmas then it was a great Christmas! So all the pictures you see here are borrowed. :(

We started our Christmas marathon Christmas Eve afternoon at Chase's MeeMaw's. MeeMaw's cookin is the best! Getting to eat at her house is a present in itself! She has the best down home, country cookin'. (I wish I pictures to show you the spread...sad). After a yummy lunch we opened presents. Mary Claire got tons of stuff and she is not even here yet. She is one lucky little girl! I never thought I would be so excited to get diapers!!!

These are the only pictures I have from MeeMaw's

Then it was back to Nana and Pops' house for a quick wardrobe change before communion.

We met my family and MawMaw and PawPaw at church in Millington for family communuion. I love this time for us all get together and pray as a family- giving praise for the year behind us and asking for continued blessings next year. And the comic relief from 2 small toddlers (not mentioning any names) was pretty good too.

After communion it was off to MawMaw's and PawPaw's for family time and another yummy dinner!

Chase, Anna Marie and Mary Claire!

The best way to win over an Asian... Food!

The ultimate turkey trot... He was laughing believe it or not... 

and after it went down hill after that...

not sure how they ended up in their skivies... but it sure was funny!

After Dinner it was time for Presents Round One with the out of towners. So wake up PawPaw!!!

Look Alive Guys!!!! It's time for presents!!!

Then off to church for the Christmas service. After all, that is the reason for the season!

Up Next: back to MawMaw's for Present Round 2!

This is one of my FAVORTIE times every Christmas! There are like 20 people all opening presents as "organized as possible." As hard as MawMaw tries, we never open "ONE AT A TIME!!!!". It gets loud and crazy up in there... Laughs galore. Man I love my family!

  

   

                                                                         Gray REALLY liked his present from William...
                                                             and Bates had to join in on the lovin'

After Presents Round 2- It's off to NaNa and Pops' house for more presents!!! By the time we got there this year the boys had alrady hit the sack... they had to get in bed early cause SANTA WAS COMING! So it was an abreviated present opening- just a few each- but we HAD to knock out some of them because the presents we over taking the living room! Then it was off to bed so Santa could come and we could get some rest before another busy day.

SANTA CAME!!!!!!!

He even came to see Mary Claire!

***Sorry no pictures of Christmas morning... stupid camera!***

Up next Christmas breakfast at Gran-nannie's. Well, this year it was actually at NaNa and Pops' because PeePaw was sick.

Gran-nannie always makes fresh squeezed orange juice for Christmas breakfast. It is sooooo good! I really look forward to my yearly glass of fresh squeezed orange juice!

Up next... Presents!

  

Gran-nannie and Uncle Dane

Mac Demi and Lidia :)

 And to finish Christmas with a Bang... it's on to MiMi's for Lunch.

The adults all play dirty santa. It is always so much fun- you never know what kind of gifts there might be in there (besides the annual lottery tickets). Last year there was Deer Urine :) Thanks guys!

MiMi changed the rules up this year... the person who got #1 got to go first, but then at the very end got their pick of any gift- even the "dead" ones... Leave it to MiMi to mix it up! "The first shall be last and the last shall be first" she said. 

Chase and I made it out scott-free with Rudolf decor for the car and a craftsman ratchet set. 

Then it was lunch. YUM!!!

 And the annual couch picture

And that concludes our whirlwind Christmas! WHEW! 

Like I said before we are so very blessed to not have to pick and choose who's Christmas' we can do each year, but it sure makes for a busy 24 hours. By the end of it all I was exhausted... and FULL!!!

I anxiously await to do it all again next year, but with Mary Claire in tow! Hang on baby- It's a wild ride!