On new year’s day, Doug’s family drove in from San Antonio to celebrate a late Christmas with us. We missed Uncle Ben, Aunt Rene, and the girls for sure. I was completely overwhelmed with the thoughtfulness of the gifts and the sacrifice of time put into some of them. It was a blessed visit.

A shirt to commemorate one of Lucy’s favorite jams.  What DOES the fox say?

Doug’s brother, Todd, made his nephew and nieces puppets for Christmas. Made them. As in designed, selected materials, and then pieced them together on a sewing machine.

Todd and my sweet mother-in-law, Zona. I didn’t get any pictures of Papa because he was too busy taking pictures for me. He’s creative too.

Pausing to enjoy a new toy

Still not too old to sit on Daddy’s lap

Yeah. So Zona MADE this. As in spent hours and hours just to make something beautiful for me. I wear it essentially every night when Doug and I watch our shows after the kids are asleep. WAY better than a Snuggie.

Apparently, Zona and Rene think I should make things too because they loaded me up with thread, sewing tools, material, and a pattern. I then stole borrowed my other sister-in-law’s sewing machine to practice with because she moved to the Middle East and there’s nothing she can do about it.

Doug really likes plaid shirts

“She’s got red hair! Just like me!”

The kids picked out their own gifts with a gift card from Aunt Sharon and Uncle Charlie.  Jack chose an Angry Birds game, and Lucy naturally chose the Frozen soundtrack like every other little girl in America.

Its not a party without Disney music, footie pajamas, and plastic microphones

Doug’s parents donated their hotel points and watched the kids on the 3rd so we could celebrate our anniversary. Appropriately, we attended a wedding that evening.

TEN YEARS!

Me: should I chicken wing?
Doug: what’s a chicken wing?
Me: its a dumb pose that will make me look skinnier.
Doug: no. You can’t improve upon perfection.

True love right there.

My 30th Birthday was December 20th. The kids were both recovering from pneumonia and the husband was being treated for the flu, so we rested most of the day and then ventured out to finally see Frozen.  I made myself my favorite “cake.” The recipe calls for an entire bag of crushed Oreos and a half gallon of ice cream. Hello 30’s. We are off to a good start. Doug’s birthday soon followed on the 23rd, so we went to see the Festival of Lights in Chickasha, OK to celebrate.  On the 24th, my parents arrived to spend Christmas with us. I always feel like I owe our Texas relatives an apology when they visit us in Oklahoma. “I’m sorry about the ice storm/blizzard/snowpocalypse.” “I’m sorry we had to spend all day hiding from tornadoes in the church basement.” “I’m sorry about that earthquake. Yes, we get those too.”

grandparents are always welcome here

especially when they bring luggage filled with presents

We decided to go with a more grown up tree this year. This replaced our original fiber optic rainbow tree from our tiny apartment days.

Santa came! Jack thought he looked a lot like Grandpa Ricky. Lucy was smitten. Santa pulled Jack aside and told him a secret. Later, I asked Jack to tell me again who Santa looked like and he said very seriously, “I’m not supposed to talk about that.”

charming her way into more presents

just a little bit excited

its hard to say “no” to this

Jack liked reading the book so he was excited to watch the movie. Note the Rudolph ornament over Jack’s right shoulder.

Daddy picked out the dress all by himself. It was a hit.

Mario Party 9! Yay!

Lego LOTR! Yay!

my boys

why I am still finding glitter

Running shoes! How did you know?

I don’t know

This caption could read, “Lucy’s fancy sparkle shoes,” or “how the Rudolph ornament broke.” I also have a joke about the Thomas Kinkade wrapping paper, but it is too easy.

Jack’s first photo bomb!

I have already tried two recipes in my Homesick Texan cookbook. I truly am homesick for Texas. And the FOOD.  And all that family down there of course. I’m just glad I got those running shoes.

Lets take a nice picture…

…or we can wing it

My parents gave us the gift of a date night. The kids got a night out too at the hotel with the grandparents.  In my children’s eyes, there’s nothing better than a hotel swimming pool.

Spending time with loved ones for the holidays always reminds me that although gifts are nice, its the people and the relationships that really matter. Especially the one I have with my savior. He is the reason we celebrate.