Sneezings Greetings

We packed a lot into the holiday season this year including a trip to Festival of Lights, Christmas in Mason Festival, Army Drill Party, and several nights of cookie baking and holiday movies. Mommy had to work late far too often in December and was bummed that we couldn't do more.

Aunt B came down the Friday before to allow us to have date night that included dinner at Via Vite on the square and a night at the Omni. Very nice way to kick off the festivities! She and the kids had a great time making and decorating gingerbread cookies and it was just so nice to just spend some quality time hanging out with her.

We had the Smith family Christmas on the 23rd complete with our NJ family and baby H. Cousin K put a lot of effort into special gifts fleece blankets she made for the kids and custom Hello Kitty clothes for V's first Barbie (still not sure what I think about that, but K is the only one who could get away with it). ;) The 24th was dinner at Grandma and Papaw's, which was right out of a Hallmark holiday card because we sat around the fire and sang carols while grandma played on her new baby grand piano. We missed Aunt J and the rest of the clan, but schedules just didn't work this year. We hope that we will see everyone soon.

The kids, of course, got way too many things including a DS for J, a doll pram and numerous dolls for V, and a bigger TV for C. Mommy got an iPad Mini and Daddy got a new machine for his shop, so we were all thoroughly and completely spoiled.

Unfortunately, H brought a virus with him that knocked out nearly everyone starting on Christmas, so our Christmas day plans were sidelined, but it was totally worth it to have him and his parents here with us.

Overall, nothing went to plan, but it was still an absolutely wonderful Christmas with my amazing family and I am so grateful for it - puking, late nights, wrapping paper everywhere and all.