Christmas at Grandma & Papa's

We had a great day at my folks' house on Christmas. Miss Natalee was a little fussy...I couldn't figure out why but come 1 o'clock in the morning my shirt and sheets would soon be the wiser. Anyhow, she did lots of sleeping and took a nice warm bath yesterday evening, which seemed to help her settle down.

She slept right through the present opening, but made out like a bandit despite that fact. Grandma Cindy got her her first ever baby doll, a right of passage that Grandma has had for both of her granddaughters now! Grandma always searches for a soft dolly that's easy for little ones to love. She also got some books that I love (touchy, feeling, smelly books) and Aunt Lorn Lorn's favorite book (& grandma's most hated!). Nannie, Vance, Emma & Colby got her the Little People's Little Mover's SUV (complete with fold-down backhatch for the baby's stroller) & Aunt Lorn Lorn found her the bestest lullaby CD...I love it! Natalee also got some of the cutest clothes!..her first hippy outfit from...who else?...Aunt Lorn Lorn & a darling dress & sweater from Nannie.
Everyone else had a great Christmas, too. Colby & Emma both got MP3 players, which Emma was very excited about and alarm clocks (that their players hook into), which Colby thought was awesome (funny boy), among many other gifts that they loved. I won't tell you all the highlights of their Christmas...I'll let their mom share those details over at A Box of Chocolates...

Emma's crazy excited face about her MP3 player from Grandma & Papa...Lauren put songs on it for her...I think she's getting all worked up about the song "Shook Me All Night Long." Oh, Emma!

Colby & Grandma winding down the evening with a good game of Old Maid. Grandma lost!

Mike got 'man tools' (shovel, rake & holder) so he doesn't have to borrow his dad's every whipstitch and a Pampered Chef man knife for the kitchen. I got a couple of seasons of Reba (YAY!), new shirts that are casually dressy and just right for work, a picture collage frame (for pics of my new favorite gal), and a gift certificate to get my hair done by my favorite hair stylist, Tiffany. We both also got a year's supply of beef & pork, which my folks have done for us for the last 2 or 3 years. It is such a blessing to us to know where our meat comes from...the beef is grown right on the farm and my folks have it butchered. We just take out of their freezer whenever we need meat...the only meat we ever really buy is the occassional chicken that we eat. Sometimes I think we forget how lucky we are to have this type of love and care at our fingertips...so in case we forget to tell you...thanks Mom & Dad!

All in all we had a wonderful day. It was great to just sit back, play games, eat, share stories, and love one another. Here's hoping you all had a day as fulfilling as ours!