Christmas Day

Christmas morning we all went to Dodi and Poppa's. Mom fixed a big delicious breakfast including grits, biscuit, pecan pancakes, and breakfast casserole. After stuffing our faces we sat around the living room and opened gifts. The best part was watching Jackson and Tucker get excited about every gift. They were so cute.

We left mom's around 1:30 and headed to the Starks' gathering(Mrs.Lori's family). Every year all the Aunts, Uncles and cousins draw names for Christmas gifts. It's really nice because everybody gets a gift and nobody has to go broke buying a gifts. Josh's cousin Janet had my name ans she got me a cute little green purse.

The Starks' Christmas was over around 4 so we went home for a rest before the Thomas Christmas which started around 6. Every year it is at Josh's Grandma's house but she got the stomach bug Christmas Eve so it was moved to Josh's Aunt's house. We had a great time but by the end of the night I was extremely tired; but not too tired to play with my new scrapbook caring case. I felt like a little kid. Josh kept yelling at me to help him clean all the gifts and paper off the floor but I just sat on the living room floor playing with my new toys:)

Christmas Eve

Josh and I spent Christmas Eve at his parents' house. We ate dinner(chili dogs and cheese dip) and opened presents from eachother. Josh's mom got Sarah and I both a heavy duty mixer. I have wanted one for a long time so I was very excited. Josh got Seinfeld season 7 which completes his Seinfeld collection except for the not yet released season 8. We don't get to spend very much time with Sarah and Micah so we really enjoyed getting to see them.

When Josh and I got back to our house we decided to open our presents from eachother to save time in the morning. I got him a surround sound system and he got me a beautiful Pea coat, Shrek 1 & 2, and a coffee maker.

Josh's Birthday

Josh's 24th Birthday was the 15th so Monday we went to Outback to celebrate. Steve was sick so it was Josh and I, mom, dad, Paula, Brad and the boys. Jackson and Tucker were both a little sick so they didn't have to great of a time but the food was still good and Dodi and Poppa loved taking care of them.

By the way I have never noticed how pretty Paula's profile is. I hope the boys get her cute little nose.

Christmas Time

I had decided I wasn't going to decorate for Christmas but our trip to Branson got me in the Christmas mood. We don't really have room for a big tree so I made a blue and silver Christmas corner. Our entertainment center is decorated in more natural tones. The snowpeople beside each vase are souvenirs from our trip last weekend.

The Nativity was a wedding present from one of Josh's aunts. I love it. Someday I'll be able to set it up with our kids and tell them how it was the first Christmas Nativity mommy and daddy ever had.

Weekend @ Branson

Friday after work Josh and I set off to Branson with his parents. Saturday morning we went to the new Branson Landing and then to Silver Dollar City. We got to see a few of the Christmans shows in the park. The last one we saw was the most popular one. It was in the Silver Dollar City Saloon. You had to get in line at least a hour in advance to get a guaranteed seat. There was an overflow line that we got in. They would let people from this line fill in any extra seats after everybody else had gone in. It was really cold and we had been in line for 30 minutes so we really wanted to get in to see the show. We ended up getting a seat but we were the last people who got in. The show was really cute but the best part was the the "snowball". It was hotchocolate with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. The Saloon was the only place in the park that had it; it was soooo good. Sunday we went shopping at some of the outlets. I really enjoyed getting to spend so much time with Josh's parents. They are terrific people. We had a great weekend and a fun mini vacation.

Update on Grandpa

Josh's grandpa is doing very well. The doctors are pretty sure he will be able to keep his foot. They have it in a pressurized oxygen chamber to help the tissue heal quicker. As it heals they doctors will cut away any of the tissue that isn't getting blood to it, so we're not sure how the complete outcome will be. I just can't imagine how painfull all the scar tissue is going to be. He has a great attitude about the whole thing. The oxygen chamber is making his blood extremley rich in oxygen so he isn't having to wear his glass. The doctors told him his improved eye sight will only last as long as his foot is in the chamber, but it's still pretty cool and I'm sure it's incouraging to him considering he's been in a hospital room for over two weeks. Thanks for your prayers.