We have had a great couple of days celebrating Christmas with our families! It was so fun to have Addison around this Christmas, and to watch her play with, and enjoy her new gifts (and the wrapping paper they came in). It was so fun for me to be the 'MOM' this year! I started a few new traditions, and really enjoyed getting everything together for a fun celebration. Having kids makes the holidays so much more fun! I can't wait for the excitement and joy to continue to increase in our home each year!
Christmas Eve
We (our own little family), celebrated our Christmas on Christmas Eve Day. Travis had to work on Christmas Day in the evening, and needed to get his sleep on Christmas Day, and we had plans with Trav's family on Christmas Eve, so it just worked out that we celebrated our own Christmas a bit early. It was fun to be together as a family. We started out with a Christmas brunch. I made cinnamon pull-aparts (a new tradition), with sliced oranges, and chocolate milk.
Next, we opened our stockings, and the few gifts that were for Addison. Our own Christmas was a bit small this year because I took Travis on our trip to San Francisco in October to see the 49ers, and we knew that Addison would be spoiled by the grandparents (which of course she was). So we just had a few things for her to open.
Travis had my gift shipped to his parents house, so we headed over there next. All this time Travis had been telling me that our budget was tight, and that he didn't get me much..(which was fine with me). He also said that he was getting something that both of us would enjoy..which ususally means it's something that he really wants, but tries to pass off as something that I might like too. So, needless to say, I wasn't too excited about what I was getting. However, he out-did himself! He got me the new camera that I have been dreaming of. My old camera was so slow that I always had blurry pictures of Addison. Now, I can take pictures like a pro! Thanks, Trav!!
Next, we headed to Grandma Gines house. It's always fun to go there and celebrate with Trav's extended family. We have food, and play the white elephant game that goes on forever, and have a visit from the Santa too! By this time I had my new camera, so there are lots of pictures to follow.
After a late night a Grandma Gines, we headed over to Jo Jo and Poppy's house. Addison got lots of fun toys, and cute outfits. Thanks, Jo Jo!
Mykelle, and Gage got lots of fun gifts too!
It was really fun to watch Katie, and Jo open their gifts, because they were both brought to tears!
Katie got a Wii that she had been wanting FOREVER!
Jo got a steam mop, a book from the family cruise in 2007, and the tear-jerking photo session with the family.
The rest of us got lots of cool stuff, too!
My favorite gift was a recipe book with all of the Gines Family Favorites, and a REALLY cute apron that Jo made for all of the girls.
Christmas Day
On Christmas Day, Addi and I headed up to my Dad's house. We had the BEST Christmas breakfast, and enjoyed goofing around, and spending time with one another!
Ethan and Addison got lots of fun toys.
The most entertaining gift was a set of cheap plastic tubes that were a stocking stuffer for Addison!
Dad and Marty loved the customized family portrait calendar that we gave them.
Ususally we get cash from Dad and Marty, which is an awesome gift. But, this year we got something that we think is pretty awesome too...a snowblower! They have made our lives so much easier, and we are grateful!
As you can see, we have had a great Christmas! We are excited for my Mom to get back from Alaska on Friday so that we can celebrate with her. She has been up there with my sister Alyssa, for the birth of my new nephew Lincoln, and also to celebrate Christmas. Although we missed her, we were glad that she got the chance to be with Alyssa and her cute boys!
11 comments:
We truly are blessed. My favorite was having all my kids together numerous times this holiday season. I teared up a little again reading your post, but this time I think it was because of the AWFUL pictures of me - really, that's the best there is? LOVE the picture of Katie. Thanks to all for a fabulous holiday
It was so fun to see pictures of your Christmas activities. I missed being with you this holiday, but our time is coming...besides, I wouldn't have been at any of those events anyway. You have some great pictures. Of course it is my side of the family pulling faces and looking truly "wonderful". Sounds like you got some fun gifts. Maybe now you won't have to ski down your driveway on your backside...but then I don't know if the snowblower has a built-in blow dryer attachment for melting all that ice! I love you and can't wait to hug you all. That's all we do up here is hug all the time, but that is in an attempt to stay warm, not that we are overflowing with love:-). It is -33 degrees right now which is up from -37 when I woke up. Love, Mom
Looks like you had a great holiday! Kids do make Christmas better, it was fun to be with nieces an nephews(and of course Chavez, who by the way got more presents than we did:)Hope you have a great New Year's Day, talk to you soon about getting together!
LOVE the close up photo of Addison at the Gine's gala. Congrats on the new camera. I believe everyone needs to have an awesome camera since life goes SO SO fast!
Looks like you had a fun Christmas! Cute pictures! I'm super jealous of your new camera :)
So fun Nat!! I love your fun traditions. I totally agree, kids make the holidays so much fun- I got a new camera last year and love it- You need a good camera when you have such a cute little girl! I agree, so fun seeing you guys yesterday, I love your hair by the way... so cute!!
Looks like you've had a fun Christmas. It was so good to see you the other day. Addi is so adorable!
I love your camera! I'm so glad you got one! I'm glad you had a great christmas! Love you guys!
congrats on the camera - i admit i am a bit jealous. love all the photos - but some of them are off the page so i do feel like i am missing out. did you notice santa has demon eyes (i suppose it's glare on the glasses). glad you had a fun christmas with fun new traditions.... it only gets better as they get older.
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