Friday, January 29, 2010

Christmas and New Years 2009 Part 1

This Christmas was our Florida year. Both Bowen and I couldn't wait for a vacation! We finally flew out the morning of the 23rd. Mason was, well, let's just say not the most pleasant to fly with. Next time we fly he'll definitely have his own seat. Mom and Coach welcomed us (especially Mason) with lots of hugs! I think we were all relived to be there and on the ground. We had to hurry back to Bradenton to get to Aunt Jenny's for the annual progressive dinner. It was so good to see everyone and catch up! Aunt Jenny made her amazing cheese soup and it was just delightful! Everyone decided to take a walk outside to see all of the horses. Mason didn't quite know what to think of them but he was definitely intrigued.

After an hour or so we headed to Mariah and Carl's for the salad portion of the meal. Their home is so beautiful. They had done a lot of work on it since the last time we had seen it and it looked amazing. Carson and Amelia were very kind to share all of their toys with Mason and the rest of the kids. Honestly, the back yard was like a country club for kids. Mason did NOT want to leave when it was time to go, but Grandma and Grandpa were waiting for us, so we headed out.
Grandma had prepared so many yummy dishes including her amazing prime rib. It was all so good and by the time it was time to go, you could have rolled everyone out the door!
While we waited to eat, Mason read Grandpa Jones a book. I love this picture!
Oh look and these lovely ladies!

Grandma Bette is such a gracious, lovely hostess. Her home was beautifully decorated for the Christmas season. I definitely felt at home there!

Our last stop was dessert at Moms. Ice cream sundaes to top it all off! I must say, it was a relief to finally be at our last stop. I know everyone was tired, but from traveling all day we were exhausted! Don't worry, of course I had enough room for some ice cream, more visiting, and taking in all of moms decor. I hope that by being married into this family some of her decorating skill will brush off on me. Seriously! Mason had already warmed up to all of his cousins. No surprise here, he's such a little social butterfly. All of the kids kept each other entertained which was sooooo nice!

Little Mi Mi looked so cute in her Christmas outfit.

Ethan, Carson, and Mason playing some sort of game...oh boys!

It was Chasey and Lyndsay's Florida year too. Of course Lynds and I had enough to talk about and I'm sure Bowen and Chasey did too. Their baby, Rylee, was absolutely adorable! She is such a happy baby with cheeks that you just want to squish!

It was such fun night with all of our family and friends. Thank you to all who put it together and prepared all that yummy food. Needless to say, I literally fell into bed that night and didn't wake up until 11 the next morning. Thankfully, neither did Mason.

Christmas Eve day was spent recuperating from the previous night. If I would've posted this blog earlier I would've remembered more, but I have pregnancy brain and can't remember anything anyway, so that's the way it is. Sorry :)

Christmas was a blast! After Downey, Mariah, and Margie's kids had opened their presents at their homes they all came over to Moms for lunch and more presents. Ethan and Jackson brought some of their new toys to play with outside. It was so beautiful out that we all sat out for a while too.

Aunt Margie supervising the kids with their new toys.

I can't believe how grown up Caitlyn and Marley are getting!

After everyone had arrived and settled in it was finally time to open presents. When I say everyone got a lot of presents, I mean EVERYONE got so many presents! You couldn't even see the floor, not from wrapping paper, but from all the gifts everyone received. I was spoiled as well. I had set a spending limit for Bowen and I, but as I expected he went over. Since we've been together he's given me Tiffanys every year for Christmas. I knew he couldn't break that habit, but I'm not complaining in the least! I also got a really nice surger from Mom and Coach. I've been sewing a lot lately and that was on my wish list. Thank you, thank you!!!

After cleaning up a bit, you guessed it, we ate some more. Honestly, I ate more on this trip than I did the previous month. They say the average person gains 10 pounds over the holidays. Now that's a lot! I didn't gain that much, but it definitely felt like it!

What a fun, beautiful day to celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ!

Mason just waking up for the day