Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Merry Christmas to All! (now with pics)

So here I am, back at work.  Sipping my first cup of coffee and reflecting on an amazing weekend.  We are so blessed, even if being blessed means we were up to our eyeballs in plastic and cardboard and more than a little glitter up through somewhere near 10 am yesterday. 

Friday night we had a small get together at our house.  Good food, good drink, great friends and family, and of course – top notch entertainment courtesy of Kayla and her “favorite song.”  The eggnog went faster than I had anticipated and the carefully chosen dishes seemed to be a hit all the way around, especially the cheese tray.  (Gotta love having an amazing place to buy gourmet cheese right here in our little town.) 



Saturday we were able to relax a little, and after Kayla’s nap we were off to my dad and  step-mom’s house for the annual cookie and fondue celebration.  Kayla was absolutely spoiled rotten by the entire family.  She loves opening gifts and tentatively asked me “is this for me?” each time one was placed in front of her.  Jammies, a Cookie Monster, puzzles, panda umbrella and a handmade fabric “paper doll” book were among the many gifts she received.  We whisked ourselves home to put her to bed and watch a little “Christmas Story” while we enjoyed some Irish coffee and exchanging gifts between Shaun and I.  I put my new tripod and camera remote to use to attempt a few long-exposure pictures of the tree.  Fun!  (Now if only I could find time to install my new Photoshop Elements software on the computer…)

Christmas morning was a flurry of wrapping paper and squeals of joy as Kayla opened each of her gifts from Santa – a school bus, some Thomas the Tank Engine track and trains, books, games and so on… then at Grandma and Pawpaw’s house.  Puzzles, clothes and a big new kitchen set for her to bring home once our tree comes down.  After enjoying a yummy breakfast together, my mom and sister came over to our house for more gifts and lunch.  Yet more puzzles, books and a Super Grover doll.  After nap time, we headed up to Aunt Dena and Uncle Jaime’s house for the most amazing Christmas dinner and time with Kayla’s cousins.  She had a blast running around with all 5 boys and was pretty well exhausted when we got home – though not too exhausted to play with her new baby doll before bed. 





 
Monday we had lunch with my dad and sister before Aunt Paula headed back to Philadelphia, then went out for a bit of shopping of our own.  Mostly necessities, but I did grab another set of Kayla’s favorite doggie PJ’s in the next size up, since the 24 month ones are pretty small already.    It’s so hard to believe another Christmas has come and gone already, but it was great fun for us this year.  Kayla had an absolute blast and didn’t seem to mind one bit that she didn’t get one of the things she’s been asking for from Santa for the last few weeks.  More on that to come though…

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