Had Ourselves a Merry Little Christmas

...and we hope that you did as well.

Our first Christmas "home" in our current abode was a great one. In years past, we've been able to travel up to my parents' home in the Texas Panhandle for the holidays (and let me just say that there is NOTHING like my parents for Christmas!) but this year, with Ray having to work and with a 3 month old, it was just no doable. We hung lights on the house and, for the second year, got a live tree to decorate. Everything was festive for the holidays.

Ray had to work Christmas Eve at work and then spent all afternoon/evening working at the Christmas Eve services at church. The kids and I headed over to some friends home for a bit to celebrate and then went to the late service at church. After the Christmas Eve service, we met up with Ray and drove around looking at some spectacular Christmas lights! After returning home, we set out brownies and milk, hung the stockings by the chimney with care and the kids went to bed... well, they were SUPPOSED to be in bed. Around 11, Ray went outside and shook the jingle bells and upon coming back inside, overheard our oldest son tell his sister, "I heard him!! I think he's here!" and then all went silent and the kids went to sleep so "Santa" could visit.

Christmas morning found the children thrilled with all their gifts.

After enjoying some of their gifts, the kids and I packed up to head to Flower Mound to spend Christmas with my brother's family and my parents. Unfortunately, Ray had to work over the weekend so he was unable to join us. He spent the rest of Christmas visiting some of his family, then having dinner and catching Avatar in 3D. He thought the movie was pretty cool but, personally, I think he enjoyed having a coke and popcorn sitting in peace more.

It was a blessed Christmas for us this year, despite not being a great year financially for anyone. We hope that you and yours were as blessed as we were.