My dad offered to build us some shelves for our garage to help organize our “stuff”. So after a few discussions of where to install them, how high and long we wanted them, what we were going to store on them, etc. my dad came out to build them. If there is one thing to know about my dad (aside from how great he is) it would be he doesn’t do anything half way. In the case of our garage shelves, he made them strong enough for Todd to lay on and my dad to hang from. Todd got home from work to help him with the final screws and lift some of the heavier items up for storage. They turned out great! Our garage feels less cluttered and more organized. Thanks Dad – you’re the best!
My sister, Stacy, and her family got to come for Christmas. They were able to stay for over a week and we took full advantage. They stay at my parent’s house and their visits consist of Little Grama and Papa Kirby coming over each and every day to play with Joey and Deanna. My Grama has to be the most patient person I know. She will play dress up, “office”, “store”, read books and whatever else comes up for hours on end. Joey even taught her how to play games on his iPod Touch this visit. The rest of us (except Todd – he despises it) thoroughly enjoy putting puzzles together. This year was no exception. Stacy and I started with a reasonable (1,000-1,500 piece) puzzle of Santa and my mom busts out a 3,000 piece monster of various ocean animals! It took up a full conference size table just have the pieces all turned over! Needless to say, it took us more than a couple of days to put it together. But it sure was pretty when we did. Thanks Mom!
Living close to all our family sure makes Christmas fun, yet interesting. Todd and I “make the rounds” which makes for two FULL days. We started Christmas Eve afternoon at my parent’s house to open presents. Joey and Deanna dutifully passed each present out. They were so excited. There is nothing better than a kid’s excitement on Christmas. The rule in my house growing up was you had to try on and model any item of clothing you received. (This made Mom’s annual gift of underware interesting.) My Dad loved his new bike shorts, and Joey and Deanna looked ever so cute in their new clothes.
The first year Todd and I were married, Little Grama sent Todd a bag of mini marshmallows with a clever poem about snowman poop. They had yet to meet but all Todd had heard about Little Grama was how sweet she was. He was not convinced. To this day he calls her “Trouble” and gives her grief about the present. So this year he unwraps his gift to find a box of chocolate covered almonds labeled “Reindeer Droppings”. The whole room was in stitches and the look on Todd’s face was priceless.
As per tradition, Christmas Eve is spent at Aunt Norma’s house. Most of Todd’s immediate and extended family (on his Dad’s side) go – we eat dinner and Santa arrives sometime later bringing gifts for the little kids. In fact, 13 years ago Todd proposed to me while I sat on Santa’s lap. Ahhh, the memories.
Christmas morning we were at Todd’s Dad and Mama Gwen’s house at 7:00 am. They have always made Christmas morning special – a stocking stuffed full of awesome treats, presents and Mickey Mouse waffles!! It’s the best. Todd’s younger brother, Steve, and his wife were there too.
Then it was back to my parent’s house for the best Christmas dinner there is: Turkey, homemade stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, beans, rolls, cinnamon apples and pie. It was sooooo good. Todd and I got to take my older brother’s kids shopping for their gifts the week of Christmas. It was great to see them and spend some quality time. In fact, the kids got to come for dinner. Everyone really enjoyed seeing them.
Final stop: Todd’s Mom and Stepdad Jim’s house. We exchanged gifts, visited and we were officially pooped. It was back on the road for us to our house in good ‘ol Mountain Home. It was a great Holiday for us and we loved spending time with all our family. We are truly blessed.
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