Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to everyone and Happy Birthday to Jesus!
This is another one of my favorite days of the year.  There is so much magic and peace and hope as so many people come together to celebrate the birth of our Lord.

The boys were up at 3:00 this morning ready to see if Santa came and what he left for them.  He had been here and they had a great variety.
Danny's favorite gift was his new laptop.  He also got a watch which he was excited that Santa had set for him.
John Michael's favorite was his new 3DS XL.  Hopefully he will keep up with this one.  He got a 3DS last year and since the move we have not been able to find it anywhere.  I am sure it will appear now.  I really think he left it somewhere.
We also got some great board games for the family.  I love family game night and I am thinking Santa must have known that.  Hungry Hungry Hippos is my personal favorite, so many fun memories with that game.  It also is the game that woke mom up, but we did manage to hold off until 5:30.

After mom got up we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and then opened the gifts under the tree.

Dale, Teresa, Memaw, and Aunt B came over around lunch time and spent a few hours with us.

It was a very nice, relaxing Christmas.  It was great to celebrate Jesus' birth with family and just enjoy each other.

Shopping and Lights

Mom picked me up to go shopping at 11:00 last night and we shopped until 10:00 this morning. It was definitely a long day. I did not get a lot of what I needed mainly because I thought I was getting more help than I did. Anyway, I am not going to vent about it right now as I am probably too mad and hurt, but it will be fine. It always is. I have very little left and I will get it done. Mom's friend came with us too, which is always nice. I love Mrs. Charlaine, and she probably is the only reason my mom and I speak to each other during this time.
So tonight is the Christmas Lighting Party. I am so tired. I think next year we will do it the weekend after Thanksgiving and just make it a Christmas Kick-Off event. I was really too tired to enjoy myself and I do not like feeling that way at all. I did not get to make several of the things that I wanted to and that bothers me. I really think moving it back a week will make huge difference.
The party was great, the kids all had a great time and lighting the house is beautiful. You should all take the time to drive by and check them out. They will definitely make you and especially your kids smile! Merry Christmas!!!