Christmas & New Years Eve Moments

I know we're into 2009, but I wanted to share some photos from our holiday celebrations with you.

Christmas Eve is always a busy day for our family. It involves "making the rounds" as we call it. We stop in for a short visit with two of Jason's aunts. We then head over to my Aunt Jo and Uncle Wayne's house for an early evening dinner.

For as long as I can remember, Aunt Jo's sewing room has been the kids' and teenagers' hangout complete with it's own table, couch, toys, books and TV. What else do you need?

Here's Colt and his gifrlfriend, Amber, sitting in the sewing room on Christmas Eve.



Joy was busy with the youngest member of our extended family....Jackson. He's a smart little guy, full of energy and curiosity, like most are at two years old. He and Joy became instant pals.





Jackson really loved that snowglobe! Can you tell? Do you have any idea how hard it is for a two year old to NOT touch something so pretty?



I'm telling you she fell in love with this little guy....and I think he loved her just as much!





After Christmas dinner over there, we came home to enjoy the rest of the evening. I spent most of the evening in the kitchen preparing for Christmas Day dinner at our house. The rest of my crew (and my father-in-law) were watching White Christmas in the living room. We also exchanged presents with Jason's dad on Christmas Eve. The kids always look forward to opening his gifts, along with one more that we let them open on Christmas Eve. This year they chose to open the gifts they got from each other. Colt got a Chuck Norris calendar from Joy, which he loved. Colt gave Joy the Jonas Brothers' new CD, which she loved!

Of course, cookies and milk were left for Santa and carrots for the reindeer! (Those reindeer sure were messy this year...they left bits and pieces of carrots all over the sidewalk)!



Here are the kids on Christmas morning. They just finished checking their stockings!



Colt is acting surprised over his new cell phone. I don't think he missed a single day in December asking for it(he was hoping for it early, but I stood firm). :)



And here's Joy beside the desk Santa brought (Dad had to help Santa paint it after Christmas)! :) (I'll share more pictures later of the completed desk).



My mom and dad came over Christmas morning for the gift opening. They always do when they're not in Alabama for Christmas. After all the paper, boxes, and goodies were picked up, we got ready for the mid afternoon dinner at our house. My Aunt Jo, Uncle Wayne, and my cousins came over for dinner (prepared by my mom and me). This is a traditional Christmas Day for us. Dinner was also traditional: Ham, baked beans, hashbrown casserole, corn salad, fruit salad, rolls.....and for dessert...lemon pie, pecan pie and buttermilk pie.

Joy had another fun afternoon with Jackson! I'm telling you she fell in love with this little guy!

We were truly blessed with a wonderful Christmas!

New Years Eve is totally the opposite for us. No running, rushing, or anything is involved with this day. We're usually stocked up on snacks, movies and games. It is very low key...spent here at home eating, watching movies, and playing games. I really don't like being out on the roads on this night. This year Colt was invited to a New Years Eve party, so he wasn't home with us...sigh! That's part of his growing up, but I missed him!

After tacos for dinner, here's what we did. Anyone remember this?



I lucked out. I got to be the official spinner. Jason and Joy got to be all twisted up!





Matty, (one of our cats), was very interested in watching them! I think she thought they were acting a little strange!



Anyone want to guess who won that game? A little hint...it wasn't the 48 year old!

The next game was definitely more my speed! I actually love this game! It's called Word Trio.



Depending on what color you land on, you either draw, explain, or act out whatever word the card says. There are two levels....easy and difficult.

Uh-huh! You see that yellow one? That's mine! Yep, I won.....well the first game anyway! Joy demanded a rematch and won the second go around! (Poor Jason didn't win any games.....he did get a kiss and told he's still a winner in our book)! Maybe that counts for something!



We had Superman movies, Yours Mine and Ours, and The Sound of Music. We didn't get to watch them all, but we have them until Monday, so it's on our list of things to finish!

On New Years Day, we had another dinner over here with my mom and dad and Aunt Jo and Uncle Wayne. New Years Day is never complete without black-eyed peas, right?

Last of all today, as I look back over this past year, I can see how blessed we really are. I am thankful for so much. First of all, I can't imagine a day without my Lord and Savior to guide me. I'm blessed with a wonderful husband, precious children, a great mom and dad (and father-in-law), good health for my family, a cozy home, food, clothes and warm beds, Jason's job, being able to be a stay-at-home mom, freedom to homeschool my children, and much more! I give the credit for all these things to God. I know I'm truly blessed.



As we all begin 2009, I hope we can all remember to thank God for our blessings and evaluate our lives and realize those people (and things) that are most important and remember to be thankful for them everyday. I am also thankful for all my blogging friends and readers.......for choosing to spend a portion of your day stopping by for a visit. I enjoy your comments so much and I enjoy visiting you as well! I wish you all a healthy, prosperous, joyous and BLESSED year in 2009!

Hugs and Blessings,
Tammy