Well, folks, as you can imagine, we had a jam-packed Christmas. While this year marked the first in which we only went to one location on Christmas day, it was also the first year that we went to multiple places over a span of six days.
It all started on Wednesday, when we drove out to Buchanon to celebrate the holiday with Amy, Griff and Baby Bella. This day was especially important to them because Christmas Eve (which was the following day) marked the end of the 10-day time period in which Bella's birth mother could change her mind about surrendering her rights. I haven't mentioned it in the blog because it was such a delicate situation. We are so very elated for Amy and Griff. They have been waiting for their baby girl for so long. Bella is very lucky indeed. It's my favorite Christmas story ever.
Christmas Eve was spent with Mary, Rick, Melissa, Julia, Sarah, and Granny and Granddaddy out in Alpharetta. We were attempting to start a tradition of being at one of Ave's grandparents' houses on Christmas Eve. We had a great time watching Avery open presents and then enjoyed a tasty meal.
We chose to make Christmas morning as leisurely as possible. We didn't want to have to wake up and rush anywhere so we could enjoy the morning with Avery. Ed woke up before anyone else (as always) and spent a good deal of time between 7 and 8:30am trying to wake Ave and I up. Avery was the last to awaken, and she was a tad bit grumpy about it. But once we got into the living room and began opening gifts with her, she was quite content. Santa brought her a 'Learn and Groove Musical Table' and a ball popper. She loves them both.
Tom, Malinda, and Andy arrived at our house at 10:00, and Ed cooked us yummy omelettes (a Christmas morning tradition at Tom's house). Then there was more present opening. Midday, we made our way to Decatur to spend time with the entire Reagin family. We were supposed to have a lovely steak dinner at home on Christmas night, but we were so full from Grandmother's that we chose to forgo our nice meal and opt for late-night grilled cheese sandwiches instead. We had a wonderful Christmas - 'the best Christmas ever' in Ed's words.
Saturday afternoon was spent visiting with the York family. My good friend Jennifer and her husband Joe were in town from San Antonio. I've known her since my dance team days in high school, so it was really nice to spend time with both Jen and Joe and her parents.
After that, we had a day break, then it was off to Granny's to celebrate Christmas with the Messicks on Monday night. Ed had to work on Monday and Tuesday, so we didn't get to spend as much time there as we'd have liked. But it was still a great visit (and dinner), as always.
Anyhow, enough for now. I'm ringing in the new year twice today - I met with my mommy group and the babies at noon (so they could celebrate it with us) and then tonight with our annual crew (Dusty, Kelly, Andy, Ashley, and our new additions, Avery and Liam). Andy and Ashley moved to Texas from Maryland this year, so we rarely get to see them. We're really looking forward to the visit. And just as a side note: the last time we all spent New Year's together was ringing in 2008 when Ed proclaimed that at 'this time next year, Katie will be 'big' pregnant.' Who knew!?!
Well, you know what's next. Enjoy the pictures and Happy New Year.
Amy holding Bella and Ave
Avery Gave Bella a Kiss!
Aunties Melissa and Julia with Avery
Avery loved pulling Auntie Sarah's hair.
Great Granddaddy and Ave
Christmas PJs!
Here she goes, giving her first baby doll a kiss, too.
Who's the star of this show, I wonder?
Letting Avery Finish Her Nap in the Car Before Going in to Grandmother's
Joe and Jenn with Us on the Couch at the York's House
Avery Entertaining All the Cousins at Granny's
No comments:
Post a Comment