Christmas 2011

I can hardly believe we're a week into the new year and Christmas has come and gone. I'm in complete disbelief at how fast time is passing by and am trying to keep with my resolution to take it all in!

Christmas was such a whirlwind this year, more so than ever before. I guess the whole surprise trip to Disney the day after really put a twist on things!

My sister, brother-n-law and precious niece drove down to Louisiana from St. Louis on the eve of Christmas Eve. The day before we ended up in the urgent care with Jackson, running 102 fever and diagnosed with tonsillitis yet again, so we hung pretty low that night.

The next morning, Christmas Eve, we did something that we've never done before - we had Christmas morning at my mom's house. We normally always do Christmas morning at her house, but everyone wanted to see Jackson wake up to "Santa" at our house instead. So, the day started out with Irish Coffees, Mimosas and Bloody Mary's and progressed to lunch and presents!

Sweet Amelia is a little present under the tree:)

Jackson and Amelia were so excited to get into all their presents at Loli&Pops!

Later that afternoon, the boys started a little game of t-ball with Jackson's new t-ball set. And before we knew it, nap time had come and gone and it was time for Christmas mass.

Running the bases in his pjs:)

I love that we're all big kids at heart:)

We attempted one final trip to see Santa before he delivered packages to all the good little boys and girls. However, cutting nap time short and the excitement of the day was a little much for Action Jackson and he.was.not.feeling.it. Mr. and I even contemplated taking him back home to bed and skipping church. But, after a train ride with Loli he was back to smiles and sweetness just in time for church.

This did not go as we envisioned:(

After church Mr., Jackson and I headed to Mr.'s mom's house for their traditional Christmas Eve dinner. Nana and Papaw made a delicious gumbo that was perfect for the chilly South Louisiana evening. After we all filled our bellies, Jackson and his cousin were spoiled rotten with presents! Jackson's favorite was definitely his interactive Buzz Lightyear and Woody. 

Two Christmases in one day made for an exhausted Momma and Daddy Santa.  We got home and put Jackson straight to bed.  He was so tired he didn't even have the energy or desire to put out milk and cookies for Santa. 

The early hours of Christmas morning...

I had to put out a plate of cookies and milk for Santa...even though we had no milk or cookies...

Mr. and I stayed up a few hours longer putting together toys, making breakfast casseroles and hanging the stockings on the mantel.  Jackson was so concerned (and still is) that "Santa's stuck in the chimney".  Melts.my.heart!

Christmas morning I woke up pretty early, being that I am not a morning person and felt sick all night.  Jackson on the other hand, slept until 9AM! I kept peeking in his room, and he was sleeping so soundly.  He was finally ready to come out and see what Santa had brought for him when my family came over.   


Mr. made an awesome Christmas morning feast and we sipped coffee and opened more packages! My tree looked so bare without presents under it by the end of the morning. 

And in a blink of an eye, Christmas morning had come and gone.  All the planning and dreaming and preparing for this special morning was over, just like that! We cleaning up the leftover wrapping paper and missed Grandma terribly as we tried to save the bows just like she always did.  Once our house was somewhat put back together, my family left us to get ready for our next Christmas at Mr.'s dad's house.

We put Jackson down for a quick nap and rushed to get ready for our last Christmas at the Wilson's.  We got there just in time for dinner and more presents! Poor Jackson is having a hard time understanding why everyday isn't Christmas now:)

After a nice evening of visiting and playing with cousins, it was time to head home to finish packing for Disney. 

Our alarms went off at 3AM, and we hit the road for a magical week...