Christmas 2010 Phase II

Week two of Christmas celebrations started with me going to work for a half day on Christmas Eve.  We only had one appointment scheduled, but somehow we ended up over-booked as everyone decided to bring their pet in for a last minute exam before the long weekend even though most of them had had their issue for a week or even a month.  We ran around like crazy people trying to get it all done, but at least it made the morning go by quickly.

Jacob, my mom, and Josiah picked me up after work and we headed off to the Tampa area to celebrate with my family.  As usual we had some good times and good laughs.  We had a traditional gift exchange and then we followed up with a game Deda loves to play.  He and Gram go shopping for lots of random but useful things, then we all draw numbers and as our numbers are called we get to go “shopping” to pick our own presents.  We get all kinds of goodies from tools to treats to kitchen gadgets and even a book called “Celebrating Sex” (yes, my grandparents bought this and my Uncle searched it for pictures after my cousin chose it!).  The first year we played this game was because Deda refused to wrap the MANY gifts he and Gram had bought for all of us.  We all thought it was a bit odd, but now we all look forward to it and think it is great.

I didn’t get many pictures, but here’s what I have:

Two tired kids.  I felt so special that they both wanted to be in my lap.  Josiah was super personable and was giving out kisses freely.

   

Thanks Martha for the flopping-eared, singing dog you gave to mom.  The grandkids love it, though Josiah did have to warm up to it! (Isn’t he handsome in his outfit?  It has a train on the front which he is so proud of.)

We made it back home around midnight in order to sleep in our own beds (and wake up repetitively between 4 and 5 a.m. to a teething toddler) and have a little Christmas at home.  We were supposed to head to Lake City for a low key celebration at my brother’s house, but that didn’t quite work out, so we took a nice long (much needed) nap, had a late lunch of leftovers, and headed to the park to play, followed by a simple dinner at Grandma’s.  It was kind of nice to just hang out all day and allowing Josiah to play with all his MANY new toys and get some rest.

Jacob was so proud of this white truck he picked out for Josiah since it looks like his.  Josiah loved all the trucks, four wheelers and train we got him, but didn’t like the bubble bath, backpack or slippers so much.

At the park:

  This was the first time Josiah used the big kid swing by himself with us just pushing and not holding him on.  You notice him looking to the side?  He was distracted by boys riding skate boards.  He fell off immediately after this picture!

While everything did finally come together this Christmas for each little celebration we had (thanks to Jacob’s help with shopping and wrapping presents), I have to say I’m kind of glad it is all over.  I look forward to a little break.  Now for the projects on our to-do list to get ready for Elijah.  So exciting!