Christmas at our house

Now here in South TX, it was SUNNY & WARM on Christmas eve...as evidenced by this picture of Brandt & Annie playing games out on the deck in short sleeves.

It continued on Christmas day...yee haa for those kids who got bikes and skateboards, huh??

We had a nice but quiet Christmas morning---it started WAAAAY T000000 early (see previous blog.) At my house growing up, we always opened presents one at a time. It used to DRIVE US KIDS CRAZY, because my Dad, who grew up in the depression, would take out his pocket knife and super S-L-O-W-L-Y cut each piece of tape so as not to destroy the wrapping paper (in case it needed to be used again---recycling---way ahead of his time). So to continue in that tradition, we too, open our presents one at a time...however one chooses to. I usually just tear into mine (no pocket knife needed, thank you!) WE do take our time admiring each gift and thinking of the gift giver---one at a time.

Then Brandt and I went back to bed for a little nap while Annie enjoyed some 1:1 time with her new Nintendogs.

We spent the afternoon hanging out with our dear friends, Wes & Amy and their family, where we stuffed ourselves with turkey, stuffing, and foods containing BUTTER, CHEESES, & CREAM--waa-hoo for my taste buds, but not as good for my favorite jeans. (Brandt has developed a terrible intolerance for any dairy product, so we don't have these at our house as much).










Yes, we did have a nice toast to good friends and the new year, and yes Annie did try her first taste of champagne...which she quickly pronounced gross and yuk-keeee!!