Christmas 2017

So this year Christmas Eve fell on a Sunday. It felt a little different since we had church that morning. Usually Christmas Eve is like the one day we always sleep in and stay home all day. It was fine though and I was happy to be at church celebrating with my church family. Once we left church we came home to watch the SAINTS game and relax. We had a few things to accomplish though before heading over to my parents house that evening. That night we went over about 5 to have dinner at my parent's house. This year my mom did a ham, potato salad, green beans, mac n cheese, and a salad. As always we just enjoyed visiting and hanging out. We did our usual singing of Christmas carols and reading the Christmas story as well. Afterwards we celebrated all the December b-days with a red velvet cake. By the time we got home it was time to send the kids to bed. We did all of our Santa preparations then sent them off to sleep. Austin and I of course stayed up and watched TV and then played "Santa". 
Christmas Day was nice. We were up fairly early so the kids could do their Christmas here with us. This year we tried to stick to a 3 gift rule. Colby got a bike, golf clubs, and a CARS toy. Lindsay got an American Girl Doll, Moana doll, and skates. They both got a few little stocking stuffers as well. After letting them open up everything here we got dressed and headed over to my parent's house. Its tradition to go over there and have breakfast and open presents. We had a good time doing that as well. Its always a sweet time. We also reminisced through some old photos as well. We left there about 11 and came home. We first dropped off some gifts to our adopted family from a couple years ago. We came home and just had a simple lunch. It was nice having the rest of the day home with the kids. My parents did come by later that day to see them and their new stuff. We took a walk and just enjoyed being home together. That night we had to get presents wrapped and stuff together for our trip to Hattiesburg! 

So Tuesday was our Mississippi Christmas day! We got up early and were heading out about 8ish. We stopped and picked up breakfast and just ate in the car. We got into Hattiesburg about 10. We did stop first at the cemetery where Austin's dad is buried. It was SO cold though we didn't linger long. Its still hard to believe that Mr. Jim (Pawpaw) has been gone over a year. Well we got to his mom's house and from there we just had a day of visiting and hanging out. Wendi and her family got there the same time as us which was nice b/c the kids were able to all play immediately. Maggie and Shelbi got a drone for Christmas so they did go out some and play with that. We mostly sat around and enjoyed visiting. Austin's mom's sister and her husband were there so it was nice to have a new addition to our holiday crowd. His sister Dianne and husband didn't make it though this year. Also Jim's sister stopped by as well so I feel like it was a pretty busy day. We had our usual big lunch and opening of presents. The kids did a lot of Drone flying especially after Colby got his. By about 4:30 we knew it was time to head on back. We had a lot to do at home. We stopped in Slidell for dinner and got home about 7. From there it was bathing the kids and sending them off to bed after a very busy day! 
I cannot believe another Christmas has come and gone. The kids being 9 and 6...I feel like we are in the sweet spot although Colby no longer believes. Lindsay is really into all things Santa though. It was a really sweet year, but also different. I feel like with working we weren't able to do as much "holiday" stuff as we normally are. There was also a soberness about the holiday. I guess just realizing what its truly about and that we don't have to DO all the things in order to have Christmas.