5 Christmases!!

We had 5 Christmases this year! By the 6th day, Caroline was totally expecting more presents!!!

On the 23rd, we went to my parents' house (Jimbo and CoCo) for dinner and did presents over there. Jace and Cyndi and Zoe were there too. Since Dale and Jace both work in Lamesa, on complete opposite shifts, this was the ONLY time that all of us could actually get together! Caroline really started understanding that we were about to open presents, and could hardly wait until after dinner! She kept trying to hurry us all up.

Next we went to Dale's mom's house (Nana and Grampy Steve) on Christmas Eve for dinner and presents. Shanna, Mike and Becca were there as well as Uncle Matt. There were money rolls on the tree for each of us. Once Caroline unrolled hers (it was 10-1s), she wanted to share them with everyone. She kept running around to everyone and saying "here is one for you." I finally had to take them from her since I knew she would end up loosing some of her money!! Grampy Steve got a Wii for Christmas, and I'm sure that is what we are going to do EVERY Sunday night before and after dinner from here on out!

When we got home from Nana's house, we had to put out cookies and milk for Santa (yes...all we had in the house was Oreo's because I forgot to get anything else and we didn't have time to make more) and carrots for the reindeer. I asked her earlier in the week if we should get food for the reindeer (I was planning on making "reindeer food" out of glitter and oatmeal) and she said "yes...carrots...reindeer eat carrots only." So, we put out carrots!!

Christmas morning Caroline was a bit confused that Santa didn't eat ALL of his cookies (there was one partial left)...maybe next year he'll eat them all...oops! Caroline kinda got a killing from Santa...Santa went wwwaaaayyyy overboard as usual!

After breakfast we opened the rest of our presents and then spend the rest of the day cooking a Christmas feast! We had Jimbo and CoCo and Pop, Cyndi and Zoe (Jace had to work Christmas), and Nana and Grampy over for dinner. Dale cooked an AMAZING turkey, and we did salad, mashed potatos, green bean casserole, brussel sprouts, stuffing, rolls, orange jello salad, and gravy and by the end of the day we were TIRED! No one ever warned me how tiring (and expensive) it is to cook a big holiday meal! That being said, I think even though we cooked all day, I enjoyed having it at our house and Caroline getting to actually play all day than having to run all over the place.

On the day after Christmas we went to Dale's Nana and Grandad's house with his whole side of the family (except for him...he was hunting with my dad). I don't have any pictures from there.

Then, on Saturday the 27th we went to Dale's dad's house (Grandpa and Deidra) for lunch with them! Caroline got a bunch of dress up stuff that I don't think she's taken off yet!!!!

All in all, we had a great Christmas...or 5 Christmases! It seemed a bit less stressful this year, we had a great time with family, and everyone got what they wanted (or at least I did:))! Can't wait till next year (uh...yes I can!!!)...