Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Over Another Hurdle

I gotta be honest. I was NOT looking forward to the holidays as you all know. I drug my feet when it came time to pick a tree. I didn't help put it up or put lights on it. I did however make myself put some balls on it (just so I didn't look like a total loser parent).

The more shopping and wrapping I did, the spirit started creeping up around me. Once I adopted the less fortunate family, I felt amazingly better. Once those gifts were delivered, I was ready for anything.

Fast forward to December 23rd. I had Friday and Monday off from work so on Friday, I loaded up Katie and Whit and headed out to finish up my shopping. One kid got shorted and I hadn't even begun to think of stocking stuffers yet. We headed into town and to my most favorite store to mull around in ... World Market. I love the smell, the stuff, the candies, the food, the spices, the wines, I JUST LOVE THIS STORE!! By the time I picked up odds and ends for the shorted kid, her present total was right where it needed to be within about $20. I was so happy. Unfortunately, I was already getting tired. I spent way too much time in there and then the line was unreal. I was in line probably 1/2 hour to 45 minutes. Decided to hit up Meijer on the way back for groceries and stuffers. Did our thing and then went home to settle in. Little did I know that I still forgot the stuffers and no ribs. CRAP.


Got up on Christmas Eve, cleaned for a few hours then headed out with hubby to get stuffers. Got everything we needed, stopped and had chinese, went home, wrapped stuffers and just relaxed.


One of our traditions has always been getting into comfy clothes or pajamas, on Christmas Eve and driving around to look at lights. We sometimes drive around for 3-4 hours at a time. This year was not near as fun so we only ended up going for just about 2 hours, picked up Katie from her boyfriend's house then headed home to have our Christmas Eve treats (meat/cheese/crackers).


Whit made sure that Alissa and Matt knew that they were to be at our house NO LATER than 6:00 a.m. for the festivities to begin and they were there right on time. We had so many gifts that we couldn't light the traditional fire in the fireplace, so we settled for Comcast's fireplace:
 
Lucy was not so sure about what all the commotion was so she hid under the tree waiting to scratch hands when they came near her. She is in there, you just have to look hard for her.
We gathered around while Sis passed out all the presents. Everyone was excited about all their gifts and the most excitement came from Whit when she opened the gift that she was sure I didn't get her:
Yep, those are Spongebob Nike's. Too bad that when you order those from China, you get what you get.The quality is not the best, but she was excited none the less.
 
 
We had breakfast burritos and Katie, Alissa & Matt were out the door by 7:30 to move on to their other parties.

With all of that said, we will not have another Christmas morning like this again. The hours and hours of shopping, wrapping, waiting and such just to have the kids leave after just over an hour wasn't like have any quality time with them at all. Next year, we will have to plan just a  bit better. Warren, Whit and I just relaxed the rest of the day. We did take time out to take the dogs to the park. They love to go to the park with their "Dad".
 
 
 
 Rylee spent most of her time trying to get back into the car. She is not very brave out in the elements. As you can see, we didn't get any snow for Christmas. So sad. I do like a white Christmas.

Our Christmas dinner this year was barbequed baby back ribs on the grill, mashed potatoes, pork stuffing, grean beans and garlic bread (provided by the neighbors who had too much left over). We had a nice meal and when the dishes were all taken care of, Dad and I got our butts spanked by Whit in a game of Rummy. 

So much for Christmas 2011. Bring on 2012. I am hoping for some real life changes which you will read about in upcoming blogs.

From all of us at the Wynalda camp: We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and will bring in the new year with a bang! All our love.

2 comments:

  1. Post traumatic Christmas syndrome. All that hub bub and it's over in mere nano seconds. The dogs look great too. I'm sure they had some cool gifts to open.

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  2. I'm here by way of Bushman! (Hi Bush!)

    I echo his sentiments...weeks of hype and in a nano second it's over.
    My daughter (I have just the one) is on her own and setting up a tree this year was harder than usual because my mom fell mid November and threw a curve ball into my world.

    I'm glad it's over and, like you, I will do a little strategic planning for next year! (so I say!)

    Nice meeting you!
    I added myself as a follower - I'm looking forward to more of your adventures!

    Cheers, Jenny @ PEARSON REPORT

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