I guess I will start at the beginning… Thanksgiving day, we had dinner at my grandparent’s home and Matt’s aunt’s. We typically decorate the tree on Thanksgiving but unforeseen circumstances (i.e. supposed to get a new tree) caused a delay so we put the tree up the day after Thanksgiving. And yes, it is still the old tree! My nephew came home with us and we held our tradition of everyone getting new pajamas for cutesy pictures. Bailey got in to the candy canes while we were decorating! I took the kids out that afternoon and got some Christmas pictures of them. However, it is now the day after Christmas and guess who still hasn’t developed any of those pictures.
The weekend before Christmas, our best friend’s came over and we got a special gift for their girls and ours. They are all getting to take ice skating lessons, which I hope they enjoy. Bailey also got to open one of his presents, a Snuggie. We had Gondolier’s pizza for dinner which happens to be one of my favorites and we received great presents.
We visited Matt’s aunt and family on the night before Christmas Eve. We had KFC and opened presents. Matt’s cousin just had surgery so it was a very laid back event.
Matt’s cousin and family came to visit from Kentucky and the girls opened presents with them.
Bailey watching Matt fry the ham
We celebrate Christmas Eve with our girls and I went overboard yet again. Matt and I fixed a wonderful breakfast with country ham, homemade biscuits, gravy, and scrambled eggs. The girls were in Heaven! I have to admit the gravy turned out a little better. Maybe practice does make perfect.
Matt received his Ipod Touch that he just had to have. He also got the Black Ops game for his PS3 and some other small items. I received a new purse, the Twilight Saga books (because you just have to read them more than once…one hundred times), Scene It Twilight Saga board game, and some M&M stuff. Our special treat was matching Vols shirts for me and the girls. They have Hello Kitty on them and say “Hello Kitty, Hello Volunteers.” We have tickets to the New Year’s Eve game this year. Bailey received dog bones, dog food-the good stuff, two new stuffed-or actually unstuffed dog toys, and two candy cane bones. One of the bones was wrapped with Sweet Potato and he had it chewed off within minutes of me finally getting it open for him. He absolutely loves the Sweet Potatoes!
Pumpkin Pie received a new rug, storage chest, luggage, clothes, video games, books, computer games, American Girl accessories, a memory foam pillow (she asked for it), a back pillow, and a volleyball. Sweet Pea received Olivia the Pig toys, Teacup Piggies and accessories, pig kitchen items (she asked for them), luggage, clothes, and a back pillow. Did you notice the pig theme with Sweet Pea! She even asked for a real live miniature pig and I (YES, I) even considered getting one. I spoke with a lady about one after doing some research but opted out because I was fearful that the pig would not be able to walk up the stairs on those stumps for legs and the bed would be crowded for Sweet Pea when the pig reached its full size of about 60lb. Maybe next year we can get the pig! I was also concerned about how Bailey would get along with another pet in the house. Unfortunately, we would not be able to name the pig “Piglet” since that name is already taken by my sweet cousin’s dog. However, Sweet Pea was trying to choose between “Cinderella” for a girl and “Harold” for a boy. Cinderella I understood but I honestly have no idea where Harold came from. 
Sweet Pea's present pile
Pumpkin Pie's present pile
Matt's present pile
Bailey's present pile
My present pile
Matt dancing...so funny!
Me and my brother
Me and my sweet love
On a side note, Sweet Pea and Pumpkin Pie went to work with me several days the week before last because of the weather and school being out. A woman (Kathy) in our office questioned the girls about what Santa would be bringing them for Christmas. Sweet Pea gave me the look and I stated that it was all right. Sweet Pea proceeded to inform Kathy that “Santa’s dead.” Kathy politely looked at Sweet Pea and informed her that she had now ruined Kathy’s Christmas. Sweet Pea actually thought it was funny that Kathy believes in Santa.
Christmas Day, we went to my Grandparent’s and ate until none of us could possibly hold anymore food. The girls (and Matt and I) received more wonderful presents. We are so spoiled. After we left my Grandparent’s, we went to my best friend’s house. After opening yet more presents, one of which I received in October (a blow up M&M for my yard), the kids played the Xbox 360. Matt even got involved and did some dancing to Bel Biv Devoe. If you don’t remember them, you are too young!
It started snowing on the way home and a little over halfway home, the roads started to get slick. We thankfully made it home safely and I managed to get most of the Christmas presents put away neatly. I am already looking forward to taking down the Christmas decorations and getting my house cleaned back up and in order. I always look forward to that one day each week (sometimes every two weeks) that everything is clean and in its place. It doesn’t last long so I have to savor it. Matt will be staying home with the girls this week so I don’t plan to clean before mid-week or I know I won’t get to enjoy any of it. We have been blessed tremendously and have really enjoyed the holidays with our family and friends this year. It is always a good thing to say the holidays were rather uneventful in my family. I have also enjoyed time home with the kids and relaxing. We caught up on some movies and video game time. All of the American Girl doll stuff is neatly organized (one of mine and Sweet Pea’s favorite things to do) and Pumpkin Pie’s room is fairly organized right now too, thanks to me.
