~CHRISTMAS DAY~

FINALLY...here's the scoop from our big day!

Here's the little face we woke up to. Her top says "My First Christmas". I didn't go to bed on Christmas Eve until 3:00 because I was cleaning the house up, cooking for the breakfast the next morning, gathering all our stuff we had to take the next day, etc. Even after me staying up that late, we still had to rush around to get everything ready because we had to be at the D & J Adams' by 8:30. Rea needed a bath because I wanted her fresh as can be for the special day...she didn't get a bath the night before because we were up so late doing family stuff and she passed out. Jon and I had to get ready of course. I had to make monkey bread and I ALWAYS have a hard time getting it cooked all the way. We finally got there, but we were late. :( It wasn't the ideal way to start Christmas day, but that's real life. (I am committed to blog about the good and the bad.)

After our breakfast, we gathered in the living room and the kid's started opening gifts. We have a fabulous basket system where each kid gets their own basket to keep their presents together. It works so well! I highly recommend it. In fact, I'm implementing it next year for the Bray family.

Carson is a Cars freak! He got several pieces of Cars clothing and wanted to put them all on and so he did...piece on top of piece.

See...here are Anna & Aleah in front of their baskets. Dreamy trying on a pair of jammies!
We were briefly flashed by her cute hiney.

Too much Christmas for Addie.

Kels & Al had to leave to spend some time with Al's family and Curt, Kara, & the boys had to leave to go pick up Curt's brother from the airport. This was the first year in some time that we didn't have to run off. It was so wonderful to hang around, munch on breakfast leftovers, visit, etc. Some kids watched a movie and others took naps.

Looks like she likes Christmas already.

Jon and Dreamy have always been buds!

We packed ourselves up and headed out. We went home to do our Christmas with Rea. We each got Rea a couple of things and the other parent was to be surprised. Jon got her several adorable outfits and I got a wall thing/plaque for her room that says "My prince already came his name is daddy."

First Christmas as a little fam!!

That's the little wall thing in the background.
Then the adult Bray family came back over and we watched a comedian. It was so relaxing and a nice way to end a great day. Here's the crew!

Birthday countdown...

10 days until I'm a quarter of a century old!!! YIKES!

My wish list...

• sudoko board game
• 8' x 10' rug - The exact rug that is in my family room now, but the larger size.
• work out clothes
• FGCU alumni license plate
• "Established in..." plaque
• Ralph Lauren perfume collection

This is it for now. I might think of more later.

Christmas continued...

So, we started the Bray festivities on Christmas Eve with a scavenger hunt for baby Jesus. Once he was found in the gutter drain, he was returned to his proper place in the borrowed Nativity scene. (We don't own one yet.) Jonathon found him first, but I'm pretty sure a kid was suppose to.

We had a very yummy nontraditional meal of salad, ham, vegetable soup, and mac & cheese. It tasted wonderful and the prep and clean up was a breeze! We sang happy birthday to Jesus. (Notice the massive candle....the biggest and best for Jesus.)

We tried to do some really cute pictures by the tree of the kids and their adorable hats. This is the best we got. One (Abigail) wouldn't show her face, another (Jaden) wouldn't wear his hat, and Maddie was worried about the screaming Rea. This is a picture of reality right now!

Up close.....Reagan's 1st Christmas!!!

Gram was a great sport like usual! We didn't make it to the Christmas Eve service we were planning on...too much to do in one night. We played a creative game orchestrated by Aunt Julie...good times. We listened to a version of the Christmas story then it was time for the kids to open their presents.







Possibly the coolest gift this season!

Reagan was pooped before she even got to presents.

BUT that was short lived....there was too much fun going on.


Cute sisters in new pajamas from Aunt Becka & Uncle Jon Mike!


Once the kids were done with gifts, it was movie time for them. All of them, except Rea, got embroidered sleeping bags. So, they climbed in them or on them to watch the featured flick.



Reagan ready to help open my gifts.


Jaden would come back in every once in awhile to check on Rea.


CHRISTMAS DAY TO FOLLOW.....can't bombard you with too much at once!

GO GATORS!!!

2008 National Champions!

GOOOOOOOOOOOO GATORS!

24 - 14

Little Gator Girl
One proud family
Kels & Al cheered with us

Papa & Mimi came too

'Tis the Season...

...to be jolly! Ours definitely was. I LOVE CHRISTMAS! Who doesn't? We had a lot to get ready before Christmas could officially start this year. We were hosting the Bray Christmas, so that involved a little more...decorations in place, presents wrapped, house cleaned, bed's made, grocery shopping done and food made, etc. The Bray family gathers together on Christmas Eve.

Let me take a step back and show you a couple of pics of the three of us decorating for this festive season.

Jon insists on a real tree which I'm fine with. We got it from Home Depot...not so pleased this year. We also got it a size too small. We weren't exactly sure what to get because this is our first Christmas in this house, but now we know for next year.

watching patiently

Once Reagan was sick of the exersaucer, she wanted to be held because she was just so tired. So, I had to hold her in this sling while I got the ornaments out.

Doesn't look very comfortable, does it?


Finally she would swing in the swing! She was out!

TO BE CONTINUED....

Try it some time!

This year the D & J Adams family possibly started a new family tradition. We gathered together for a Santa Clause 1, 2, and 3 movie marathon. (We skipped the first one for the sake of time because we all had seen it.) Kids of all ages piled in for a night of movies. We had a great time...even though I fell asleep! (Whenever I sit still and get in a warm, comfortable spot, I fall asleep.) Organize a movie marathon with your friends and family!!!

Start the movie!

Catching Up

You will find a variety of posts today in effort to catch up on all that has been happening!


First....


HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! Us on River Bank Way wish you and your favorite people a happy and healthy 2009! I hope to entertain you with countless quality posts this year!


Second...


Reagan is now 6 months old! I cannot believe it! (I know...every parent says that.) She is such a fun baby! She makes all sorts of noises and vocal intonations. She is very laid back and happy. I love when she smiles at strangers at the store instead of just staring. I see her personality developing more and more everyday. She still hasn't resumed her habit of sleeping through the night. I don't have the 6 month picture ready yet, but I realized I never posted the 5 month picture. I'll get you the 6 month picture soon!