Christmas Eve and Day 2012

Peyton and Emily and the girls went to Florida this year, so that just left our family with Mimi and Grandpa. Mama T came down from Fort Worth as well.

On Christmas Eve we went to the Kendall's for their annual Gumbo dinner. Santa visited and passed out gifts. John was absolutely petrified and would not even look at Santa while he was there. I felt so bad for him! We left pretty early to get the kids down to bed.

My kids know that Santa is not real so that changes things up a bit for Christmas Day. I told them they could open their stockings when they got up, but had to wait to open their gifts. I wrapped all of their presents so there was much anticipation by the time Daddy and I had gotten up around 7:30.

The living room just seemed to explode with gifts and wrapping paper - we were done opening all of our gifts in about 10 minutes. It was chaos! Mimi, Grandpa and Mama T arrived about an hour later - just in time to show off all the gifts and play a bit before we headed over to Mesa Drive for presents from them.

We headed home for naps and then returned for an amazing beef tenderloin with mushroom gravy that was so good. It beats turkey in my book any day. The day seemed to be over in the blink of an eye. . . doesn't it always seem that way? I'm so thankful to be able to experience this time of year through my kids' eyes.

Mimi and her sidekick (10 months) at the Kendall's

Gathering for the prayer before the meal

Daddy and his sidekick (2 1/2 years)

Alivia and Santa

Will and Santa

Christmas Day - look at the floor - see baby Matthew almost buried in the stuff?

Will was loving it. Matthew. . . not so sure

Matthew has started to really pull up - no signs of walking yet

The aftermath!

We tried to really stress the meaning of Christmas - it's hard - but felt like being honest about Santa was a good way to start

Alivia's favorite gift - Barbie Dream House from Mimi and Grandpa

My Little Angel

Will had his annual Christmas Chapel and looked so cute in his get-up. I'm not sure how much he actually sang, but he seemed to enjoy all the activity and smiled and waved to me and Alivia throughout the performance.

It's Potty (training) Time for John!

Today was Day #1. He did great. He had about 4 accidents but by the end of the day told me that he needed to go and went pee pee on the potty! I swear by this "one day" method. I don't really think it is truly one day, but it definitely is an intense approach to getting started on the right foot. There is no turning back now!

John with "Tinkles" the potty doll

My supplies! Plus lots of candy and juice (and attempted patience)

Merry Christmas 2012!

Our beautiful Christmas card designed by Jill Baumhover at JillBee Designs.

Santa Pic

I guess this will just have to do this year. I attempt to get a Santa shot every year but John was absolutely petrified of the man and would not even look at him. He asked up until Christmas if he was ever going to have to see Santa again and if Santa was coming to our house. Poor little guy.

And I just did not have it in me to dress the kids up cute. . . maybe next year?!

Combo B-day for Brother and Sister

I was shocked when Alivia and Will said they wanted to have their birthdays TOGETHER at Build-A-Bear. How sweet! I each let them invite a few friends and we all gathered at Lakeline Mall. Alivia had her birthday there last year, too but never seems to tire of it.

Alivia and Avery

Baby Matthew (10 mos) and Mimi 

Josh Underwood and Alivia

Birthday BOY! Who is now FIVE!

Birthday GIRL! Who is 6 11/12ths!

OK, this was total chaos. The mall was packed for the holidays but the kids were great.

Frantically cutting two cookie cakes!

So Thankful. . . for my Health

Right around this time I began to have a terrible one-sided sore throat. I kept thinking, "Wow, if this is strep throat, I am going to have way more compassion for my patients from now on." I have never had strep throat. I tested myself for strep at work and nope, the rapid strep was negative. Move forward a few more days and I was taking Ibuprofen 800 mg, Tylenol 1000 mg, and some leftover Vicodin that I had laying around the house to help with the pain . . . to no avail. The pain was incredible. After 2 days, I began to have difficulty swallowing and talking. I knew it was time to take myself to the ER. So at 2 am, I left Matt with the kids, called my folks on the way and they met me there.

I was diagnosed with a parapharyngeal abscess and cellulitis with a CT scan. I was given IV steroids, antibiotics and pain meds and went back to Mesa Drive to recuperate for a few days on antibiotics. My only guess is that I picked up that crazy bacterial infection at work. GROSS!

Matt was absolutely incredible during this period of time. He had to take over every aspect of our household and work, too. He never complained.

Thankfully, I was almost back to normal just in time for the kids' birthday party at Build a Bear. WHEW. I just kept thinking about how I take my health for granted.

My precious kids