12.20.12 Waco, Texas
Tate and I started off Christmas together by cooking dinner and opening one present each. The gift-giver gets to choose your gift. Being only married for a few years, we don't have many traditions of our own, so maybe this will catch on. We were going to watch a Christmas movie, but packing for our long trip took priority. Boo. I will be looking stylin' in my new J Crew blazer {that Tate picked out and thought of all on his own} and he will be looking good as always in his new watch. Wrigley was a little less grateful as she stuck her nose up at her candy cane bone and didn't even bother glancing at her new toy. Only children.
12.21.12 Edmond, Oklahoma
We enjoyed spending time with family and puppies, lots and lots of puppies! My aunt has 6 dogs so there is always a cuddle buddy. We made our traditional King Christmas meal, of course, of fried shrimp, steak, mac and cheese, homemade fries, coleslaw, and featured newer additions such as chicken and baked mac and cheese. We opened {what verb do you use here} stockings, which is my favorite tradition of all! Everyone has their different stocking method, but most of us prefer to pull one item out at a time and announce it to the entire group. It takes a while, but we don't mind. We like to really draw out the stocking opening process. Later, we opened presents, and did our Dirty Santa gift exchange. We also played Bunko, thanks to Jan the game organizer {one of her many titles}, which I think may be turning into a new tradition. Us kids all thought Bunko was just for old ladies, but that is certainly not the truth. It's a good time! And the iTunes gift cards are a good encouragement to participate too.
12.23.12 Amarillo, Texas
"Amarillo By Morning" was the song of the day. Well, actually we got there around noon to just in time to miss church {awww, durn our timing} and met up with Robby and LaVon for some lunch. Although we were only in town for a few days, we managed to find time to make a shopping trip or two {shopping is a Barrett spiritual gift}. It was the first time I had actually bought a gift on Christmas Eve, but I was peered pressured by the other gifted shoppers. But when in
12.26.12 Allen, Texas
5 1/2 more hours of quality time in the car...we ran out of things to talk about around hour 1, so thinks got a little awkward {not really}. We attempted to listen to my first book on tape, but I nixed that idea on CD 2. Bru-tal. The 27th was Nicholson Christmas! We ate lunch together at my parents' house and then opened presents around the Christmas tree. This year I was really excited for some reason to see everyone open gifts from us. We normally know what we are getting, but this year there were lots of fun surprises! Mom acted surprised when she opened her iPhone 5 she bought herself, Lynley took pics on her new "mom quality camera," Shawn got extra awkward when we opened underwear, and Wrigley avoided all eye-contact with all boxes out of fear for her own life. In true celebration of 'the year of the foot,' we collectively got 9 pairs of shoes. That night all the besties and husbands met at the Ringlers for Friendsmas. So far it's gotten better with each year...can't wait to see what next year holds! We had lots of food at our little Mexican potluck. Then in true fashion we played games, lots of games! Some planned and some improvised. Then we did our gift exchange. But, the night wouldn't have been complete without making the guys take lots of pics of us...so we did and they complained. All was normal in the world. Before we left town we were able to meet up with my grandparents for lunch. It was great to catch up a bit since we didn't see them for Christmas Eve.
12.29.12 New Braunfels, Texas
On to New Braunfels to see Tate's grandparents, aunt, and uncle! We there a few hours before Grandma came home from the hospital. She had been the hospital for a little over a week after having lung surgery due to cancer. It was such a blessing to have her home in time for our Barrett-Vanstory Christmas! Perhaps the best Christmas present of all- she is now "cancer free," thank you Lord! PaPa cooked us a yummy meal of chicken fried venison, mashed potatoes and corn. I tried to divert my attention as Uncle Randy showed pics of the deer he shot WHILE eating fresh venison. Nice! Later we opened presents. We were extra thankful this year, being all together and having Grandma home too. I'm sure she was exhausted and a bit on sensory overload with all of us crowding around her asking her questions. We spent the night at Aunt Roxi and Uncle Randy's beautiful new house. The next day a few of us kicked it "out-of-town-LaVon" style, skipping church and hitting up the outlet mall {but I guess if your spiritual gift is shopping then you can worship at the outlet mall too}. Later, we met up with the others for Uncle Randy's homemade stew and then hit the road for home sweet Waco!
12.30.12 Waco, Texas
Hello house, do you remember us? It was such a nice trip, but we were also thankful to be home...ahh, home...it is still so nice to say that {we've only been in our new house for 5 months}. Wrigley and I were reunited with our lonely couch and didn't move for a few hours. The unpacking can wait since I don't have to work for a week. The joys of working for a school district are sinking in...just...about...now...zzzz
MERRY Christmas and HAPPY everything to you!
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