I can't believe Christmas has already come and gone. With our focus being so much on Ben's graduation and the baby, I feel like we really didn't have time to enjoy the season as much as we usually do!
It just means I'll leave my Christmas tree up a little longer this year...
We started last week by going to Jackson for a few days. I don't have any pictures of that, but we had a blast with Ben's dad, Robbie, Will, and the rest of the family. We went to a Mississippi State basketball game one night and we were able to see *most* of the family before we left.
When we got back into town on Friday, Mom met us in Birmingham, and we headed over to Ms. Brenda's for Christmas with her. She was going to Jackson the next day, so we did our Christmas a little early.
Ms. Brenda gave me this beautiful bird house that matches the colors of the nursery. I can't wait to find the perfect place for it! She also gifted us a drawing of our house. Since it is our first house, I will always treasure that special gift! We ate a yummy dinner and enjoyed each other's company!
Mom and I were able to play on Christmas Eve. We worked a little in Brooke Allen's room by hanging up all her clothes and throwing out some more junk hiding in the room. We went to the grocery store to prepare for the week and waited for Ben to come home from work. Once he was home, we went to dinner, and then Mom and I set out for Huntsville.
Wes and Dervon's flight came in at 8:53pm on Christmas Eve. We were so excited to see them!!!!!
Christmas morning came, and Ben was at work. So we decided to go to church on Christmas morning. It was pretty awesome to worship our Savior's birth actually on Christmas Day.
After church, we headed home for lunch and played a game of Uno to kill the time before Ben got home from work. When he finally did get home, we pretended it was Christmas morning - complete with pajamas!
No, these weren't all for me. Most were actually for Brooke Allen...
Charlotte started out the gift opening with a rubber chicken from her MamaSyl. It squeaked REALLY loudly and she REALLY liked it...
...and it was subsequently accidentally kicked under the chair by her Uncle Wesley until gift opening was over.
Brooke Allen got more presents than anyone on Christmas morning. Her dad just so happened to open the Bama gift...haha...a Bama onesie and some Bama hairbows. PERFECT! Roll Tide, Daddy!
She also got her very own Polar Express book and bell to read every Christmas. It just so happens to be her Mom's favorite Christmas story also... Her other presents included a piggy that vibrates, and some cute little sleeper outfits from the Florida Thorntons.
My sweet husband bought me a new watch. I was easy to shop for since we picked it out together...
Mom gave me a sewing machine to make Brooke Allen all those cute little outfits! Wes and Dervon gave me a sewing accessory kit with lots of thread, scissors, measuring tape and lots more.
Ben got a new Garmin from me, a History DVD from Wes and Dervon, and a new video camera from Mom so he can record all the cute things his baby will do in the next year.
Wes got a DVD and book from me and Ben, a book about India from Mom (they're going on vacation there this spring), and a Florida Gator duffle bag from Dervon.
Dervon got a Hello Kitty makeup brush set from us, diving lessons from Wes, and a spice rack from Mom for their new apartment they are moving into next month!
Wes gave Mom a Willow Tree statue with a folded flag in honor of Granddaddy, and I painted an old window with an American flag. Mom is very patriotic. :)
Next, it was time for stockings!
These goobers bought each other the same card...meant to be? I think so! :)
And then the guys modeled some goodies from their stockings, as they usually do...while actually wearing the stockings...They both received claws and spy glasses.
But the best gift of Christmas is spending time with family.
After gifts, we had breakfast...for dinner. French toast, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, fruit and yogurt. It was quite yummy!
Then we gathered around the table to play Apples to Apples. Lots of laughs with this game!
It is so hard to believe that this is our last Christmas as a family of two and a dog. Next year, sweet little girl will be joining us. As much as I love the way things are now, I can't wait to share Christmas with my children - buying gifts, watching their excitement on Christmas mornings, taking lots of pictures and videos, having our very own family traditions, and most importantly, sharing the REAL meaning of Christmas with them - the birth of Jesus and how He changed everything.
They drove down to the beach and sat on the sand in the moonlight. The boy grabbed the girl's hand and said to her, "I don't know why, but this just feels right. Will you be my girlfriend?" Of course the girl said, "Yes."
364 days later, the same boy grabbed the same girl's hand, and as he got down on one knee, he said, "We've been dating for a year now, and it's been the best year of my life and I want that to continue, so...Will you marry me?" Instead of "yes," the girl answered, "OF COURSE!"
Almost eight months to the day later, the boy and girl held hands as they promised to love and honor each other until death.
Over the next five years, they held hands as they honeymooned in Nashville...
...moved into their first apartment together...
...bought their first house...
...and had their first baby.
They've celebrated holidays...
...and anniversaries...
...and simply just being in love.
They've been on some amazing trips together...
Talladega
In Nashville for the Keith Urban/Sugarland concert
Lakers v. Hawks in Philips Arena
Washington, DC
Tacky Christmas party with my favorites
And they've never stopped holding hands.
I love you, Ben!
And they've never stopped holding hands.
I love you, Ben!
