We had a blissfully happy Christmas. I am blessed beyond measure. I don't deserve any of it. I'm thankful for all of it.
This will go down in the books as one of the best Christmases yet. And not just because Santa was good to me. Although he was. Too good. It was just a really great Christmas spent with all of our families.
As usual we laughed, ate, laughed, ate, laughed until we cried and ate until we wanted to cry. And of course there was a plethora of presents.
I'll mostly let the pictures speak for themselves. Consider yourself warned - there are lots of them.
We started Christmas off with going to my mom and dad's house a few days before Christmas. It was just mom, dad, my two sisters and me and our kiddos. It's always a fun, relaxing, easy day enjoying time together. The cousins play while the adults (and now B) sit around eating, catching up and reminiscing. And of course we cut up and laugh and poke fun. All in the name of sisterly love of course.
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Uncle Keith sent the boys a surprise box ;)
It got Reid but his reaction was a bit delayed. |
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Mac wasn't in the room when Reid opened
his box but knew something was up |
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Granddaddy helped things along |
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It still got him haha When you open the box
a giant spider comes out and touches your hand.
It still gets me every time and I know what to expect. |
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You had to be there for this one.
That and, "Dawn, you in the cake..." baaahahaha |
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B smelling her Tyler pearberry candle -
a favorite of hers because it smells like her momma ;) |
All Claire asked for from her AA and Aint Dawnie was a pair of cowboy boots. I had her convinced she wasn't getting them.
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So when she did she was a happy little girl! SO fun! |
Somehow I got away without a picture of Mary Lou. :(
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Turbo opening his gifts in his boxers - he may live in a nudist colony one day |
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Like Grace, my sisters were not very cooperative with pictures this year :( Boo |
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I think it's safe to say he liked his gift |
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RaRa gave the boys AUsome tooth fairy pillows. :) |
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LOVE B's smile in this picture (and such a cute gift card) |
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Mimi was there too although she somehow escaped my paparazzi ways.
Well almost.
As you can see from her expression the newness of Toby has worn off a
bit. hehee Which is hilarious considering he LOVES her. Seriously. |
We managed to fill the next couple of days with last-minute trips to Montgomery because apparently Procrastination Polly is glutton for the punishment that is the mall, the Wal-Mart and the Winn Dixie two days before Christmas.
Finally it was Christmas Eve.
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Sissy and the boys donned their Christmas Eve pj's
then headed outside to throw out the reindeer food.
Nothing says Christmas like Monster Jam jammies, right? |
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We are certain we saw Rudolph while we were outside |
Earlier in the day Sissy took it upon herself to make these cookies with the boys so Santa would have some yummy, fun cookies to go with his milk. Mimi was sweet to let them use her kitchen while I wrapped up my last-minute Christmas to-do list.
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I think they did a superb job! Thanks, Sissy. You rock. |
I found a great Santa tracker app on my phone that we had a lot of fun with Christmas Eve night. It was a radar which showed where Santa was and how long it would be until he made his way to our house. The last we checked he was in Canada so we knew we had better hit the sheets because it wouldn't be long. Chris and I were wide awake at 2 a.m. and checked the Santa tracker again. It said, "Santa will see you next year" so we knew he had already come. ;)
Everyone was up around 6 a.m. to see what Santa brought. It's fun to see if Santa ate his cookies and drank his milk. He usually leaves a little note thanking us for the cookies and milk and reminding us that Jesus is the reason for the season. It's always a fun, crazy time and one when I prefer to not be behind the camera. Maybe I should set up a video camera next year because I really want to remember their faces. There's nothing like seeing Christmas through your children's eyes.
My parents always like to see Bethany and the boys on Christmas morning. After we had our family time mom, dad, Snuggie and Nana came by for a quick visit and a breakfast of conecuh casserole, Sister Schubert's blueberry rolls, and cheese grits. Then they headed on their way to spend the rest of the afternoon with The Colleys.
Sissy has so many people who love her that we have to share her on Christmas. We snapped a few pictures before she headed to Selma.
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Obviously from the angle one of the littles took this one :) |
Not long after that it was time for Christmas with all The Nortons. We should be ashamed that the only time we all get together is during the holidays. We don't live far from each other, we have a ton of fun and enjoy each other's company so much. I informed them all when they got there they weren't allowed to be cameraphobes.
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The boys love cousin Grey.
I don't think Grey loves my camera. |
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Haylie too - they're the cool, older cousins |
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Giving Big Daddy some love |
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Uncle Donnie and Aunt Rae
Rae hooked us up with all kind of yummies for the day |
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Grandmama Norton giving the boys a good squeeze :) |
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Grandmama with the grands
Haylie, Mac, Reid, Grant and Grey Nort |
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Me with my guys. I am so outnumbered when B's not here |
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The two lovebirds ;) |
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I thought I would go sit on the lovebirds' lap for a pic with my in-laws
It didn't quite turn out like I imagined... in more ways than one.
Big Daddy, you're a mess. This Big Mama loves you. |
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Grandmama loves her wine in the evenings. Since one of their dogs broke
her wine glass the other day we decided to get her a new one. By this time
of the day she's probably thinking, "Wish this glass came filled with wine." |
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Thank goodness Uncle Donnie is a pro at putting toys and games together. |
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Louise with her daughers-in-law
Louise, you have two lucky sons, right Rae!?! haha |
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Mother and son
Boy did my man get an equal dose of McHugh and Norton ;) |
And lastly,
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The four reasons that make our Christmas extra special |
Hope your Christmas was as wonderful as ours.
Happy New Year!
1 comment:
Love this entire post! BOTH fams (his side and yours) are boo coodles of FUN! Wish I was a fly on the wall :) xoxoxo
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