Christmas 2010

Okay, Okay... I know I'm a little late on the posts.  Since it's almost time for his 16 month post, I'm just going to focus on Christmas, since I've posted NOTHING about it thus far.  We had a GREAT Christmas.  Jake and I left Lubbock on the 21st and headed to DFW and then onto Charlotte, NC.  Jake did AMAZING once again on the flights.  He was an active booger, but behaved himself.  We read books, played with toys, ate LOTS of snacks, looked out the window at all the clouds, flirted with the girls behind us (well, Jake did) and climbed all over Mommy.  He was able to get in a little catnap in the stroller between flights.  That was a nice break for me :o)  So then we boarded our next flight to NC.  This aircraft was MUCH bigger and I think we had the ONE empty seat on the entire plane next to us.  I was GLAD for that.  Jake still mostly wanted to crawl on me, but was convinced to sit in that empty seat now and then for a little snack.  On this flight Mommy had to bust out the videos on her phone and the candy cane.  He still did WONDERFUL, but was just getting ansie... so was Mommy.  Traveling can be exhausting. 
Jake was so excited to see his cousins.  He was quite curious about baby Erin.  He went strait to her when we walked in the door.  He soon discovered the circle from the kitchen, to the dining room, to the living area and back to the kitchen.  He walked and walked and walked.  Then he discovered the stairs.  He was a PRO at going up, not so much at going down.  He practiced mostly going up and down the step to and from the landing.  He got pretty good and only had a few good tumbles.  It was fun to see J and Ella together.  They are just one year apart and had fun playing together.  It was crazy to look at Jake play with Ella and realized he was baby Erin's size, just one year ago.  WOW... how fast they grow up.  We pretty much just hung around the house and played during the days.  Grammie and Granddad arrived on the 22nd and G arrived on the 23rd.  It's always sooooo great when we can ALL be together.  It doesn't get to happen very often.  Aunt Kelly (one of Donnie's sisters) also got to be with us this year.  It was really a lot of fun. 
We went to Elevation church Christmas Eve for their amazing service of music, dance, video, and amazing effects with lights, sparklers and of course a challenging message by Pastor Furtick.  We always enjoy getting to visit their church.
Christmas day was laid back as always.  A day spent in our jammies and relaxing.  The kids had a fun time opening gifts.  Jake really got into unwrapping gifts this year and it was fun to watch him tear through the paper and then look for the next one.  We were all so very blessed beyond what we deserve. 
The day after Christmas the fun really began b/c we got about 4 inches of SNOW!!  Jake wasn't sure what to think at first, but quickly learned to enjoy it.  He followed his cousins around and ran up and down the driveway.  A snowman was started, but never finished.  I think Jake would have stayed out there all day if we would have let him. 
Other than the snow we just had a lot of fun hanging out together, playing Wii, taking care of 5 kiddos, and eating WAY too much. Time really went fast, but I think as much fun as we had, everyone was ready to be back in their own bed.. even my sister and Donnie.  They gave up their bed to G and I.  The sleeping arrangement was fruit basket turnover for all.  G, J and I headed back on the 29th with Grammie and Granddad in their RV.  The trip home went well, but was LOOOOONG.  (I think it just seemed so long b/c we were all so ready to get home).  Once we made it back to the DFW area we had one quick day to spend with G's family before getting back in the car and heading home to Lubbock.  (Unfortunately we left our camera battery in NC so we weren't able to take any pics with his family) :o(  It was a good quick trip and we made it back to Lbk with no problems... soooo glad to be home.  Jake was a trooper being away from home for 12 days/11 nights.  He had reached his pack-n-play limit though.  There was one night that he was up from 10:30-2:45a.m. and was still up at 6:40 that morning.. and that's NC time UGH!  Have I mentioned that as much fun as we had... we were glad to be home!?! 
So there is our Christmas in a (wal)nut shell.  I'm sure I've forgotten a lot, but I know that we came back with our cups overflowing with love and blessings from family.  We truly are blessed beyond measure.  Enjoy the pics.