A very merry Gilbert Christmas :)

So, another Christmas has come and gone! This was my 3rd Christmas being part of the family scene, and it was fabulous.

I didn't really get into the Christmas spirit until Christmas Eve. lol. I have just been so exhausted from working so many hours and 3rd shift, holiday cheer was the last thing I was feeling.

This is me and my new cookware which was much needed!

Last Saturday we all loaded up and went to my parents to celebrate Christmas a little early. We had all kinds of good stuff to eat. My fave being the cheese ball. yummmm. I had to work which I was super bummed about :( but we went early and Chris and the kiddos stayed a little while longer after I left. The kids all got toys and clothes from Nana and Poppy, Aunt Crystal and Uncle Justin, and Aunt Ashley.

Christmas Eve the ball really got rolling. All the gifts were wrapped and it was time for some fun with the kids! I have really missed them lately, not being at home as much has been hard on everyone, so I had some fun things planned for us. The night before I made lumps of coal :)

Pictured here is a plate of popcorn, Christmas tree sugar cone, and lump of coal :) yum!

 

 

Before I go into our night of festivities I must tell you that I had to make a quick trip to the Dollar General to get batteries for Christmas morning. When I came home I was washing up some dishes and Ethan says, "Christy, do you know you have a hole in your pants?" No, I did not.... Turns out I have a GAPING hole in the back side of my pants. You can see my underwear.... I went to the store like this.... HOW EMBARRASSING!!!!!

 

Anyways, later in the evening we had a smoked turkey for dinner on our new Christmas china (love it!) and then we decorated the sugar cones as trees :) We all sat together and ate our snacks and watched How The Grinch Stole Christmas and drank Grinch Punch :) AAAhhh Memories! While Gabe was eating his "tree" Ethan said, "Eh! It looks like he's smoking a cone!" I don't know where they get the things they say! Then I took this pic :)

 

 

Joey had an excellent day but was really just impatient for my fireplace pic I HAD to have lol. "You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch!"

 

Then I read the kids the book "The Night Before Christmas" before they went to bed. I had to stop several times during the book to explain what things meant like "tarnished with ashes and soot". Also, Mary wanted to write Santa a note to go with his plate of goodies. The letter requested MORE presents. She only counted 6 under the tree and needed more :/

 

I explained to her that it was ok to ask for more presents but that some little boys and girls would not even get 6 presents for Christmas and she should be thankful for anything that she received. She just kinda brushed me off and wrote her letter without adding anything about Santa maybe taking toys to boys and girls who wouldn't get any. She's a good kid and has a sweet heart, but very soon I plan on the 2 of us spending some extra time doing something nice for someone in need. I want her to KNOW how good they realllly do have it.

 

Then off to bed they went and Chris and I stayed up to see if we could get a glimpse at Santa :) Old Man, must have come after we fell asleep. We never did hear him. I woke up at 5:30  and tried to go back to sleep but it was useless so I got up and made some coffee and waited a little while longer. We finally woke the kids up b/c they weren't getting up on their own. lol. Santa brought the kids a new trampoline!!!! and Chris and I got them an Air Hockey table among other things. One thing I did very well this year was buy things and put them up in the closet during the year. I recommend doing this, especially if you have kids :) It was a life saver for us. Also, used toys. Some people may be against this but I swear you can find new or like new toys and clothes at consignment sales, thrift stores, and yard sales. The best part is KIDS DONT CARE!!!!

 

Of all the toys Gabe got this by far was his fave. Black slime in what he calls a "poison" can. At one point in the morning he emerged from his bedroom with his torso covered in the goo. even in his armpits!



 

Later that morning we went to my in-laws for Christmas Breakfast :) YUM. Then we opened gifts there. Every year somebody gets the wrapped wrapped wrapped wrapped gift, meaning the gift is wrapped God knows how many times. It starts in a huge box and ends up being able to fit in your hand. lol. As you get to each layer everyone laughs, it really is funny though, even if you are on the receiving end. This year was my turn! It started out in a huge box and then I uncovered layer after layer until I got to a few small wrapped gifts. They were sewing accessories to go with my new sewing machine!!!! yay!!!!

 

The kids mom came a little after noon to pick them up. We share holidays. It sucks.

 

This is a cheesy classic made even sweeter by my mothers tacky Christmas sweater :)

Chris and I took a little nap and then woke up and got ready to go to my uncles for Christmas dinner. It was delish. My uncle Pat makes these baked beans in a crock pot covered with strips of bacon. OMG. I have been eating them since yesterday ;) hehehe...

 

Overall this Christmas gets a 10! I got new plates, cook ware, sewing machine, 50 shades of grey, and Gone with the Wind :) However, even if all I had received was a hug and Merry Christmas it still would have been great. The older I get the more I just LOVE being with family. Later in the month my dad will be coming to stay for a late Christmas. I'm keeping all my decor up til he comes so it will be just like Christmas :) The kids can't wait for funny Grandpa Pack to come! Well Feliz Navidad suckers, I'm going to go eat some left overs!!!