We started our celebrating on the Wednesday before Christmas (Dec. 22). We did our family gifts that morning here. Although it was definitely all about Brenna, I'll admit that the best gift of the day was my new Kitchen Aid mixer! Brenna loved it, too - she wanted to play with it more than her toys!
Brenna's first Christmas tree (that she'll never remember!)
Brenna with her Tickle-Me-Elmo
Check out the cat keyboard - SO CUTE!
opening her Elmo book with Daddy
She liked the paper more than the gifts!
Brenna's goodies from Santa and Mommy and Daddy. This year Santa brought 3 gifts - the keyboard, the Elmo, and the clothes. I read this idea online - that Santa brings 3 gifts to symbolize the 3 gifts that the wise men brought when Jesus was born. I'm not sure what role Santa will play at our house, but I liked this idea for now. Anybody want to share what they do about Santa?
On Wed. night we headed to Jonathan's parents' house. We spent Thursday with his dad and step-mom, but I didn't get any pictures of that. We did Christmas with his mom and step-dad on Friday morning. I know Bill loved having a baby around - and of course Nana just can't get enough of Brenna.
Papa Bill shared his Hershey bar with me. (Not really, no panicking!)
opening her stocking with Dad
reading her new book with Papa Bill
with Nana on Christmas Eve
We headed to Pine Mountain for the annual Christmas celebration at Jonathan's Maw-Maw and Paw-Paw's. All his cousins were there and it was lots of fun. And I got Bill's name, which always drives him crazy when he doesn't know! And, of course, Brenna was loved on and spoiled again!
hanging out with cousin Carrie and her fiance Eric - Guess who's going to be a flower girl!
snuggle time with Lauren
more new books!!
Inside this box was the cutest John Deere outfit just for Brenna and Papa Bill!
Since they were calling for bad weather, we left from Pine Mountain and went straight to Bristol to my mom's. We got up and did Christmas morning there with mom, Mallory, and Josh.
I think the tissues were her favorite gift! TOO FUNNY!
camo outfit from Uncle Josh
opening Violet
Coolest gift ever! We programmed it, so it knows Brenna's names and some of her "favorite" things.
Then we headed to my aunt and uncle's to celebrate Christmas with my mom's family. We had a great time catching up with everyone and enjoying the pretty snow.
ready for Christmas lunch
with Grandma Abel
She got a Violet Jr., too!
with her pillow pet from Grandma
trying on her new hat from Uncle Kevin
practicing my walking with Nanie and Mal
We had a great weekend, but it was nice to be back home. When I think about the two big gifts my family was given this year - our sweet Brenna and my mom's better-than-expected health report - I am more thankful than ever for the gift of Jesus. I'm excited about next Christmas when Brenna will be more aware of what's going on. I hope you all had a merry Christmas with your families, too!
Fun! That is a lot of Christmases.
ReplyDeleteSanta fills stockings and leaves one gift for each kid. Then each kid gets 3 gifts from mom and dad. It works for us for now. Love to you!