No cookies and milk for Santa this year. Shame on me. But in my defense if I'd tried to leave them out for Santa, Hallie would've enjoyed them herself instead. Next year the big guy will get a treat from Hallie. That is if she is a good girl next year. But what about this year??? Was she on the naughty or nice list? Here's a good clue....
I had set up her slide, plastic wagon and her baby wagon after she'd gone to bed on Christmas Eve alongside her other shiny gifts already waiting under the tree. She was up bright and early Christmas morning. The thought of walking into her room and seeing a baby that was still sick was not a great start to such a joyous day I've got to admit. But alas, with a few nose wipes and a quick diaper change she was headed around the corner to the living room. I had my camera ready to get the shot of her face when she saw her gifts. I was so excited that I didn't snap a picture as she rounded the corner and stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the array of presents and the tree lit up. Sweet, sweet moment. She was grateful for what Santa had left and hopped right in to her new wagon. Please don't tell Hallie but the wagon really came from Meme.;)
"It's really early mom and my brain is still firing up...you're gonna have to tell me how this thing works."
Riley crawled out of bed about the time she wanted to take it for a test drive and happily obliged as he walked in circles while brushing his teeth. Multi-tasking at its finest....
After exiting her big wagon she spotted her mini pink wagon. The intention was for her to pull her baby in it. But she had other plans obviously....
"Well, you said it's a baby wagon...duh, I'm a baby"
Gman somehow slept through the noise of wrapping paper ripping, wagon wheels turning and a happy baby squealing...not to mention four dogs barking. Hallie opened all of her presents from Santa that morning with a little help from me as Riley looked on. Before long we had a pile of books, clothes, shoes, bath toys, and of course the slide that she so precariously perched atop. Eeeek! That one might need to be put away for a couple months until she's able to slide without scaring the life out of us. Speaking of life, we had big plans to head to church for Christmas morning service at 10:00 to celebrate a very important life. Hallie was dressed in her holiday finest to celebrate the birth of baby Jesus.
"This baby Jesus sounds pretty awesome"
We would have to agree with that statement Hallie Grace. I already find myself getting excited about next year when she will be able to learn more about the Christmas story
Where was Gman in our morning routine? Well, he was sleeping for the majority of it. I guess we'd worn him out the night before and I finally woke him up twenty whole minutes before we were leaving for church. I'm convinced that I couldn't bring myself to wake him up because I know what a gift it is to sleep in around here. Psssh, as if that ever actually happens. Good thing he's speedy and getting dressed and ready! We made it to service just a tad bit late but that's the norm for us so no big deal. I think we might cause a few heart attacks in the pews if we actually walked in on time for church. Gman and Hal were looking spiffy that morning so I had to delay us even longer by snapping a picture of course.....
We kept tradition alive and had a delicious meal at noon courtesy of Nanny and Papa. Ham, mashed potatoes, rolls, salad and red velvet cheesecake....yummmmmmoooooooo! Katie, Luke, Carmen, Kylie and Grandma Ida rounded our the Christmas day crew. After forgetting the presents at home I returned to find some very excited present openers....they were ready to dig in. By the time all ten of us were done opening gifts we were drowning in a see of toys and paper. Carmen and Hallie raked in some sweet goodies. And I'm thinking Luke probably felt like a kid again when he opened his pistol....
One excited guy
Carmen was a happy onlooker all dressed in her Santa suit atop Grandma Ida's lap....
Riley was excited to open his Fiesta Bowl ticket from his dad. Papa Bill is all ready for the big game next week!!
Hallie was a bit slow opening her pile of gifts because she had a job to do with Nanny. A very important one. Ya see, Cookie Monster need more cookie.....
"He's pretty demanding...but I don't blame him though. Cookies are pretty good."
Katie was one happy momma opening her massage and pedicure gift basket...
Hal toughed out the early afternoon despite it being well past her Sunday naptime. But this is about the time when she started to turn into a hot mess....
"A little help here. I'm not sure I have the energy to open this one"
Aunt Kylie supplied her with more OSU gear.....
Carmen sat back and took all of the action in. She was nothing but happy, happy, happy....
The girls were about to get even happier because it was time to bring out their big gift from Nanny and Papa. Tada!
This is when I caught a glimpse of the healthy Hal. She gave me a few priceless smiles for a ten minute span while she played on her swing with Nanny and Papa
This was the sweetest sight to see the girls having fun on their new toy....
That's my girl!
Don't be fooled though. After the ten minutes was up she soon melted down to this.....
"Why you leavin' so soon Hal?"
Aunt Ky snuggled up in her new Snuggy
After a quick spin by our house to pick up a gift that hadn't made it's way over to Nanny's we stopped back by her house to drop it off. This gave Hallie some extra naptime. After all, she needed all she could get because she would be taking her nap in her carseat on the way to Aunt Deedee's house in Shattuck. Only a thirty minute drive and not near long enough to get the rest that she was desperately needing. She slept so peacefully hugging her baby while breathing like a freight train. She woke up just as we pulled into town. To say she was not pleased would be an understatement. I tried to get her to fall back asleep as I'd planned to stay out in her car with her until she got enough rest but she must've remembered who was inside waiting on her to get there......
"A one, a two, a one two three"
Everyone was hanging out after their Chistmas lunch mainly watching Aaron play with his new toys. We all watched and waited to see if the two babes would decide to bond this time. I honestly think their relationship would've bloomed that day had Hallie not looked and felt like this......
"Somebody get that baby a tissue, STAT!"
Hal had some wonderful gifts to open among which were a handmade pink and zebra scarf with her initial on it , some pink monkey pjs and a pink purse with an 'h' on it packed with a new toothbrush and toothpaste (her favorite accessory) thanks to Aunt Lisa and Uncle David, a gorgeous handmade skirt, onesie and hat made by cousin Amy, and a new bouncy ball, treats and a pretty pink outfit from Aunt Deedee and Uncle Lonnie.
The girls looked on and laughed as we witnessed another "two men and a baby" moment from Uncle David and my dad. This time they were taking care of Aaron instead of Hal. I'd say that this sweet boy is a little more easy to please than my little diva.....
Although we were missing half of the grandkids we posed for a picture with grandma and grandpa....
The group photo went quite well with the kiddos so we decided to press our luck and take a great grandbaby picture. Here's how it went.....
"Does nobody care that I need a nap??"
There was no way on God's green earth that she would have layed down for a nap in one of the bedrooms. So insted she took a few minutes of quiet time to reflect on how she felt....
As you can see it didn't change much.....
"Do you ever feel like nobody listens to you??"
While the ladies kept Hallie busy I insisted that my grandma and I fit in a few exercises to finish out her therapy for the week. Let's just say she wasn't exactly thrilled to be using her new weights that afternoon....
"Who exercises on Christmas day anyway??"
After agreeing to eat a few bites of turkey and mashed potatoes Hallie perked up a bit and had us all laughing....
She was strutting around like she was hot stuff drinking out of her new swirly straw cup. Give this girl a straw and she'll be your friend for life....
"Best. Invention. Ever"
It was soon time for Hallie to say goodbye to cousin Aaron. They didn't enjoy eachother's company as much as us moms had hoped for but there is always next time. He is the sweetest, most mild-natured baby boy I've ever seen.
Hal spent up every last bit of energy she had playing ball with Garrett and Dara....
"I'm pooped!"
The three of us said our Christmas goodbyes and headed back home to straighten up our mess from that morning before Gman, David, Lisa, Dara and Garrett stopped by to see our house on their way through town. Furious cleaning, a little bit of playing and an hour later we were relaxing in our pjs awaiting our guests' arrival. I was so excited to show more of the fam our new digs and Hal seemed even more excited to recruit playing buddies. First things first, she had to try out her new marshmellowy Christmas treat from Aunt Deedee.....
"Why can't it be Christmas everyday???"
Hal was loving the extra time she got to spend with a couple of her favorite gals. It's easy to see that they get along quite well....
"Hey mom, can they sleepover tonight? Pretty please!!"
They all needed to hit the road and Hal needed to get the rest she'd been missing out on all day. Gman had loaded up his truck and his pups but needed one last Hallie hug. Those hugs have magical powers ya know...
Before she went to bed we realized that our canine friends hadn't opened their presents under the tree yet. Hal, being in the giving spirit, decided to share her new cup with Lucy.....
Even Emmi and the fake plant nearby got a big drink. The Christmas spirit was contagious....and it turns out so was Hal's cold. Due to lack of Christmas shopping money this year in her piggy bank, she decided to gift us with her sickness. I would take it from her anyday if it only meant she would feel better again.
Well folks, it went as quickly as it came. And so we wait another 365 days until the next. We had a near perfect Christmas surrounded by family. Plenty of love, lots of laughter, and the greatest gift of all...our savior Jesus Christ.
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