A Busy Christmas

I learned this last year that if you shop all year around for Christmas gifts, it leads to a less stressful December! We already have on our minds all the places we have to make it to within 2-3 days. Five places to be I guess isn't too bad, but to cram it into a couple days can be quite chaotic. We've had a blast the past two Christmas' with Kyleah and just seeing her face when she opens all the presents is truly the best present I could ever ask for. I know gifts don't even have anything to do with the meaning of Christmas, but to me it is all about the kids. I don't care if I even get anything, as long as Kyleah has a good day and everyone has a smile on their face, I am happy.
Christmas began two days early this year. It turned out perfect, because it gave us more time to spend at each place. Our first spot was Corey's moms. Corey seemed to be more excited than the kids! It was him that was playing in the presents and the kids that were standing back and looking. lol We had a dinner and then opened all of our presents. It seems each year his mom out does herself and we are truly thankful for everything she has done for us! We stayed and visited for quite awhile and we were all already so tired. So we headed out.
We started out the second days festivities by having a lunch with my mom for her birthday. Even though it may have started out a little rough (everyone being a little grouchy), things quickly changed and I am glad for that. We went to a Mexican restaurant and everyone knows what happens when it's announced that it's your birthday! Mom had specifically said I will be mad if they slap that hat on my head and shove my face in the ice cream! Everyone knew not to say anything...but of course grandma tells them. Word got out and we all see the waiters coming around the corner, I whispered to my sister "Mom is going to be pissed!". They all get to the table and they slap that hat on MY head and shove MY face into the ice cream! I think everyone at the table had the same look on their face! Everyone is singing and grandma is saying "No No Not Her!". I'm glad I took the ice cream to the face for my mom, even more glad I got the ice cream out of the deal!
Our next stop was Corey's grandma's. We were running early, so we stopped at his dads for a little bit before. We all met at his grandma's and when everyone arrived we had dinner. His grandma kept the meal more simple this holiday and I really think it was one of the best meals yet. We finished eating and Steph, Chad, Bradyn, Corey, Duane, Kyleah, and I went back down to Duane's for our Christmas together. All the presents were opened and there was a heaping pile of wrapping paper in the middle of the floor and Kyleah and Bradyn had a blast playing and wrestling in it. We all may have had a drink or two and then it was time to go back down to grandma's. Everyone always meets in the basement and the family is getting so big the basement seems to get smaller and smaller. Kyleah, Bradyn, and Madison all were elves and passed out the presents. Kyleah still doesn't know who everyone is so she was passing them to whoever. After taking turns and everyone opening one present, it's a free for all with paper everywhere. And I finally got a Pizzazz! :)
That night Kyleah took her cookies and put them out for Santa (dropping them on the floor on the way). It was hard to explain, she couldn't eat the cookies that they were for Santa instead. The next morning when she saw that the cookies were gone she was more shocked that there was a cookie crumb left, rather than they were gone all together! We had a great Christmas here at home and still had one more to attend. My mom's was the next and last stop for our Christmas'. Even though I was told many times from my mom that I would not be getting a purse this Christmas...I still did. Thanks mom! Kyleah finally got the hang of unwrapping gifts and was so excited! We all snacked so much before we opened gifts, that when it was time to eat, we weren't even that hungry. We stayed kind of late and there was word of a snow storm so my sis, brother, and I all left at the same time just in case it was bad we wanted to keep an eye on each other. It took a couple days to finally recooperate, but the day after Christmas Corey, Duane, Kyleah and I were all out and about shopping. Now that Christmas is finally over, were are starting our shopping for next Christmas already! Even though the holidays can be so hectic, it's one of the one holidays I look forward to all year!

We love you grandpa and will miss you so much! XOXO