Christmas 2012: The year of the flu

It's been so long since I've blogged that every time I sat down to post I felt like I needed to play catch-up. Because that can feel overwhelming I decided I'm not going to approach it in that way. I am going to blog when I can about whatever comes to mind I find blog-worthy ~ whether it's an event that happened over the summer or over the weekend.

I would love to be able to start this post by saying Christmas 2012 was one of the greatest ever but unfortunately that just wasn't the case. Grant was the first one to get the flu a week or so before Christmas, and it slowly but surely took out The Nortons and The Colleys. I was one of the unlucky ones to have it on Christmas, as were my nieces. So pretty much all I remember about Christmas was that it was miserable and I didn't want to move. It was unrelenting, and I didn't think it would ever end.

My mom started a tradition with my sisters and me of a Christmas Eve gift, matching pajamas. Rachel and I have kept the tradition going.

Opening their Christmas Eve pjs - I'm pretty sure Reid was beside me

We give the kiddos four gifts (similar to a three-gift Christmas but we add in "Santa" for a fun, whimsical gift). They make a list. As long as the gifts on the list are reasonable, that's what they get. I love it. It works for us.

I didn't take near the amount of pictures I usually do, but I'm just happy to have what I have. :)

It's so hard to surprise Bethany. And she's not one who enjoys surprises.
But I think I pulled it off this year with a DY bracelet to add to her collection.

Professor chose an iPad mini for his "gold" gift
Momma wishes she would've asked for that as well. :)

Mac's biggie was a Kindle Fire

Reid has asked for a "battery operated Polaris Ranger" since
last Christmas. Santa left a note that his gift was in daddy's shop :)

My loves

Now let me back up a bit.

Mom mentioned a while back that she wanted all of us to go to Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Gardens. I had only been one other time so I was hoping it would work out for us to go. Mom secured the tickets for the Friday before Christmas and it was a done deal. Bethany and I decided it would be fun for us all to get decked out in tacky Christmas wear for the trip. Rachel of course was all in. It took a little convincing for Dawn to participate but eventually she caved, and we all knew just where to look for a plethora of Christmas garb - Mimi's Christmas closet. Haha :)

We had "plans" (hate that word) to eat somewhere other than fast food in Auburn/Opelika (thanks for the suggestions, Shea) but due to unforeseen circumstances (i.e., traffic and a restaurant who wasn't busy yet took forever to attempt to seat us - maybe it was the Christmas sweaters) we were pressed for time and ultimately had to settle for Arby's. Because we're classy like that. It was delicious. Seriously.

A wee bit later we were back on the road and ready to see some Christmas lights.

We listened to a few stories first. Then it was time for the Jolly Trolley.

Waiting for the Trolley

Meet the Griswolds

Finally made it

It was cold. SO cold, but that's exactly how we hoped it would be. We laughed and made some great memories. Before heading home we loaded up on hot chocolate, fried oreos and funnel cakes. It was a really good night.

The next morning, Saturday, bright and early it was time for Christmas at Mimi and Granddaddy's.

It was another day of time together, laughter, and memories. Memories. Like the one made when it was Dawn's turn to open a gift and Rachel looked at me and said, "Where's Dawn's gift?" And I looked back at her and said, "Well I don't know. Where IS Dawn's gift?" Yes. That happened. A bit of miscommunication via text ~ oops ~ but thankfully Snuggie was a great sport about it and was happy with the end result. ;)

During the summer Reid was able to have a little vacay of his own at RaRa's house. Due to baseball conflicts Grant and Mac never had a turn. Rachel and I devised a plan (there's that word again) for Grant and Mac to go home with her for a couple of nights the afternoon we were done with Christmas at mom and dad's. Then Monday, Christmas Eve, Bethany, Reid and I would drive to Selma where we would meet up with Rachel at my Nana's house for cookie and baklava baking. This would not only allow me to get Grant and Mac but it would give us something to do on a day which seems to drag on forever. And the thought of all of us together baking in my Nana's kitchen seemed like a great way to spend the day. Plus, BAKLAVA.

Well Sunday morning I got a call from Rachel, "You have a sick baby... Grant has had a fever of 102° since 2 a.m."

I said, "Great. He also has a sick momma." I went to bed really early Saturday night and thought I was worn out from two days of fun with the fam. In hindsight I was getting sick. And because my sister is awesome she said not to worry about Grant - that she could handle a fever and to let him stay. She would let me know if she couldn't get his fever to break or if he needed/wanted to come home. I am so very thankful for my sweet daughter who took great care of me. I also had to rely on her to meet Rachel to get Grant and Mac back since our trip to Selma didn't happen. Since Reid was here he and Chris had some quality father/son time as well. A few days after Christmas Reid came down with it too followed by Sissy not long after. Mimi and Granddaddy stepped in to help as well. My mom took Grant and Mac to Scottsboro with her to visit Uncle Stinky and Aunt Rebecca while Reid and I recuperated. My sweet dad brought them home. I am blessed with a wonderful family, and I'm so thankful for each and every one of them. I hate we all got sick but there isn't a doubt in my mind God's hand was in the details, timing, etc.

Since it didn't work out for us to make a gingerbread house before Christmas, we decided after Christmas was just as well. Plus, they were on clearance. Score! We went with the mini village so everyone could decorate their own.

Mac was Mr. Serious

My little sweet tooth couldn't stop eating the icing

And Reid wanted to see juuuust how much his little house could handle

And so while I would really love a Christmas do-over, I'm thankful for the good times that were still had and for the fact that I was able to wake up and see the joy of Christmas on my children's faces, even if it was from the couch under a blanket.

Flu shots for everyone next year! :)

More to come soon... promise.