CHRISTMAS 2008... here goes a long one!

We had an amazing Christmas! Owen was somewhat into it... the new toys anyway. He was as excited about opening gifts as I thought he would be but it was still very fun! Andy and I learned a very valuable lesson... have the toys ready to play with as soon as they are opened. By this I mean out of the package and batteries installed. You can imagine the frustration of an 18 month old who just opened a new toy and has to wait about 2 minutes for mommy/daddy to open it for him... lesson learned! ANYWAY, we started out Christmas Eve at Andy's parent's place where we had lunch, opened gifts and visited the cows (Owen LOVES cows!). Grandaddy (Andy's dad) got Owen a John Deere Gator for Christmas... we were all a little apprehensive because it says it is for three year olds but I should have known my boy genius would have no problem driving this thing. He was grinning from ear to ear, it was so cute! Here are a few pic's from Christmas Eve...

Is this not the sweetest picture?! They were watching Grandaddy feed the fish. Notice Owen's hand on Andy's arm... too sweet!

We spent the night with Andy's parents and came home Christmas morning. Owen was pretty excited about the presents under the tree! One of his favorite gifts was the Shrek ornament that I got him. He LOVES Shrek so the talking ornament I got him was a hit! He also really liked a guitar that we got him; he was playing and dancing all day! My Dad, Becky and Rachael came over around 1:00 and I cooked lunch... I must say, my cooking has come a long way compared to the ham I totally burned about four years ago ;) LOL! We spent the afternoon visiting and letting Owen entertain us. He actually put Rachael in time out several times... I finally had to make him stop and tell him to put his puppy in time out (see picture below), it was hysterical!

Dad left around 5:00 and we had a nice quiet evening. The next day we went to my grandparent's house in Fort Worth to celebrate with my mom's side of the family. I have really been looking forward to this because I got together with my grandma and helped her make a very special gift for everyone. Nana had been working on a cook book for me for the last four years! She had written their life story in the front of it and all our favorite recipe's of hers followed. She didn't like her handwriting so she hadn't given it to me b/c she wanted to re-write it! I was worried it was never going to get finished! I told her if she would just send me what she had I would get some old photo's of theirs and make a book for everyone (typed!). She agreed. I got on Shutterfly (one of my favorite sites!) and put together Nana's cook book complete with their life story and old family photos! Tears were shed when the books were opened and Nana and Papa were so proud! If you haven't seen a photo book from Shutterfly you must check them out! They are great! I have made one for Owen's first year and I plan to make one each year, it's easier than scrapbooking and a lot less expensive! ANYWAY, we had a wonderful Christmas and Nana and Papa's!


Owen in Papa's chair! Nana doesn't even get to sit in this chair! HA!

Is this truck to ride on?

I'm too tired to open any more presents!!!

Papa telling my cousin, Josh about pictures in the cook book.
Nana
Hannah, my niece, showing off her fabulous PJ's that we got her!

We had a terrific Christmas and it was such a blessing to share it will all sides of the family!