Christmas...Oh my!

A whole blog of just Christmas.  Never mind the fact that we just celebrated Valentine's.

Brayden's picture with Santa this year at Diamond T in Mt. Pleasant.  This poor man!  He was the Santa at Pilgrim Bank when I worked there.  He's such a nice person and always tries his best with each child to make them happy, but Brayden was not having it this year.

We went to the Christmas Eve service at our church, then our pastor and his wife, Steve and Donna, joined Nick, Brayden, myself, Joe, and Melanie at our house for finger foods.  Melanie's oven randomly went out, and she and I tagged team all day Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to get all of the food cooked. We had a great time fellowshipping with everyone, then Brayden got a bath, into his Christmas jammies, and then Daddy read "Twas the Night Before Christmas."  Such wonderful memories.  After putting Bray to bed, we played Santa.  So much fun!

We woke up around 7:00 Christmas morning and ate breakfast before heading to the living room to open presents.  Brayden gets "hangry" when he doesn't eat, so we decided to make Christmas present opening more enjoyable with food beforehand.

It was so cute, Brayden walked in to the dining room where we had put our big tree and walked straight past his new presents from Santa and went straight for his ball pit he got at his birthday.  I should have seen that one coming.  In the future, I'll make sure favorite toys are put up before Christmas morning.

Brayden received a VTech Go! Go! Smart Wheels train set, Melissa & Doug pots & pans set, Brudder dump truck, and other odds and ends from Santa.  And he got books and clothes from Momma & Daddy.  Thankfully, I was able to get most of his Christmas bought on Black Friday and was able to get good deals.

The dogs got big, new bones.  They immediately tore into them, then both got sick later.  They're not used to bones that are quite so rich.  Whoops.

We hosted the Robertson family for Christmas this year.  We had so much fun!  Joe & Melanie arrived right before we did Santa gifts.  So they were able to take pictures of the opening.  Alan, Tovah, and Owen arrived for lunch then we did presents with all of the Robertsons.  The food was scrumptious, as always.  Husband smoked the meat and did a great job.  Owen loved the Jake & the Neverland Pirates hide out we got him.  Oma & Joepa got Brayden lots of goodies including a battery powered four wheeler.  He has LOVED it!

After present opening, we all took naps/watched a movie.  My parents and Sister came down mid-afternoon.  We visited the rest of the day until Brayden had to go to bed.

Four of us on the sofa!

On Friday, Nick, Brayden, and I headed to New Boston to spend the night and do all the present opening with my family.  We opened presents Friday night and celebrated Christmas with my Dad's family on Saturday.  Brayden received a Dusty ride on plane from Harpo & Bibi to stay in New Boston to play on when we're there.  He's finally getting the hang of it.  And we all enjoyed watching Planes: Fire & Rescue that Sassy got Bray.  My dad got a remote controlled helicopter.  We've all loved it!  The dogs bite at it, but it's really funny.  My mom got a keyboard and has loved playing with it with the help of Bray.  Brayden also got some awesome color changing bath tablets from Harpo & Bibi and had to give them a try while there.   He also received a small chair for him to lounge in at home from my Aunt Gena and Uncle David.  It's too cute!  He's spoiled rotten and got lots of goodies including legos and a handmade toboggan.  Love!

About to drop Tex off at Joe & Melanie's. :)

Had to drive him around to get him to take a nap. :)

Nick & I decided to buy a big gift for both of our Christmas gifts this year.  We finally got a king-sized bed for us!  We absolutely love it!  And Nick got me a new bed set for it for my birthday.  Big kid presents rock. :)