A whole lot of Christmas
Ashley's family
So unfortunately I forgot the camera at this celebration, where we gathered together Christmas Eve around lunchtime with my Mom's side of the family. But it was a fun time - Trey was a little shy but opened up some once he got some food and opened a few gifts. Thanks to all the grandmas and grandpas, aunts and uncles, and cousins for everything. We were glad to see you all and wish we could do so more often.
Brandon's family
This is a Christmas Eve evening tradition, with as many of Brandon's dad's seven siblings and their families as can come. We'll just say this is a lively group, and Trey fit right in. It didn't take him long to start doing circles in the crowd, charming everyone, and even joining in some dancing with his great aunt Peggy. We had a great time. And as you look at the picture of Trey sleeping in the car, keep in mind that from that celebration to our house is a trip of less than 10 minutes. And he was out cold.
Christmas morning
This was another different way of celebrating for me - if my memory serves me I have never spent an entire Christmas day in my home. However this year we wanted Trey to be able to enjoy Christmas at his house with all the new toys. So my parents, Whitney, and Brandon's parents came over for a late breakfast this morning and then gift-opening.
Trey's big gift from us was a basketball goal (the Nerf cardboard one wasn't cutting it anymore). Hindsight tells us we should have saved this for last, as once he saw that, he paid little attention to anything else. Trying to get Trey to play with or even open his other gifts was tough. But that's OK. He'll get to them all eventually.
We actually saved the rest of his gifts from Brandon and me until this evening, after a VERY long nap. And go figure, as soon as we got downstairs all he wanted to do was play basketball. After a little while Brandon got him to sit down and look at the other gifts. Since then he's made the rounds to all the gifts, including even the boring ones from me (Brandon says I should stick to books and clothes).
What a great Christmas. We got some great things, but much better than those was the opportunity to be with people we love so much. How we thank God for our family - Brandon and I have said repeatedly that we don't know how people who live away from their families do it. And we are so grateful for the mercy and grace of our God, to have blessed our lives so richly and to have made the ultimate sacrifice by sending His Son, Jesus, here for us. A gift that cannot be measured, earned, or repaid. Merry Christmas.
So unfortunately I forgot the camera at this celebration, where we gathered together Christmas Eve around lunchtime with my Mom's side of the family. But it was a fun time - Trey was a little shy but opened up some once he got some food and opened a few gifts. Thanks to all the grandmas and grandpas, aunts and uncles, and cousins for everything. We were glad to see you all and wish we could do so more often.
Brandon's family
This is a Christmas Eve evening tradition, with as many of Brandon's dad's seven siblings and their families as can come. We'll just say this is a lively group, and Trey fit right in. It didn't take him long to start doing circles in the crowd, charming everyone, and even joining in some dancing with his great aunt Peggy. We had a great time. And as you look at the picture of Trey sleeping in the car, keep in mind that from that celebration to our house is a trip of less than 10 minutes. And he was out cold.
Christmas morning
This was another different way of celebrating for me - if my memory serves me I have never spent an entire Christmas day in my home. However this year we wanted Trey to be able to enjoy Christmas at his house with all the new toys. So my parents, Whitney, and Brandon's parents came over for a late breakfast this morning and then gift-opening.
Trey's big gift from us was a basketball goal (the Nerf cardboard one wasn't cutting it anymore). Hindsight tells us we should have saved this for last, as once he saw that, he paid little attention to anything else. Trying to get Trey to play with or even open his other gifts was tough. But that's OK. He'll get to them all eventually.
We actually saved the rest of his gifts from Brandon and me until this evening, after a VERY long nap. And go figure, as soon as we got downstairs all he wanted to do was play basketball. After a little while Brandon got him to sit down and look at the other gifts. Since then he's made the rounds to all the gifts, including even the boring ones from me (Brandon says I should stick to books and clothes).
What a great Christmas. We got some great things, but much better than those was the opportunity to be with people we love so much. How we thank God for our family - Brandon and I have said repeatedly that we don't know how people who live away from their families do it. And we are so grateful for the mercy and grace of our God, to have blessed our lives so richly and to have made the ultimate sacrifice by sending His Son, Jesus, here for us. A gift that cannot be measured, earned, or repaid. Merry Christmas.
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