Thursday, December 30, 2010

The Christmas Rundown 2010

I replaced all strenuous activities and items involving me leaving the house, on my "Welcome Back to Reality!" To Do list, with tasks that I can do while sitting in bed nursing the cold that Grace gave me the day before we left to come home. Who needs clean clothes and food that hasn't expired? Not me. I just need my computer and the Chirstmas cookies I stole from my parents house to keep me company. So, here, ladies and gents, is the Christmas 2010 rundown.

We boarded a plane from Dallas to Virginia

Picked up a cold from the lady who Grace chummed it up with before our flight, despite her warning me "I have a cold." (enter forehead slap here.)


Grace was whisked away by her cousins and enjoyed a cousin filled bath

We stopped by my Grandfather's place to say hello

And then I forced my brother to take another picture of me to prove that the double chin in the above picture was in fact "just the angle" as people were telling me, and not an unwelcome new resident on my face.

After Aaron arrived we went to Nielson's for some delicious grub


And we relaxed for hours at home


We spent Christmas Eve with the extended family

Sang Christmas carols

Played the chimes

And the grandkids did the Nativity with Grace being a Christmas jammy wearing Joseph with a stylish headpiece

On Christmas morning we checked out our loot from Santa and the Grandparents

It snowed (you can barely see the snowflakes, but they're there)

We kept the tradition of opening each gift one at a time

And scored big time in the "I love this, how did you know!?" department

Grace fell in love with the boxes and wrapping paper

 And Grandpa modeled his hip new sweater vest

Amongst many incredible gifts I got a new lens

Which, I informed Aaron many times, gave my pictures a magical quality.

He got to spend lots of time with me and my lens, and Grace too, when his flight got cancelled and rescheduled the for next day. Merry Christmas to me.

After we shipped Aaron back to Texas, we made a visit to my Dad's office

to look sassy

but more importantly to catch up with friends.

We lunched at Five Guys


And were graced with a visit from Al Barker. My gorgeous friend since age 2.

Three hours was not enough to bask in the glory of this lovely lady

We (and by "we" I mean Stacey) packed up the last odds an ends in the car so Stacey and Co. could make the trek to Dallas so she can get married and settle down there. Another Merry Christmas to me.

Saying goodbye to Mema/Copilot

Carly and Taylor buckled in and ready to go

See you in Texas hot stuff


After sending them off, getting ready, and packing, I squeezed in a visit with the ever lovely Kate

Grabbed lunch with Matt at the most crowded Chick-Fil-A on the planet.


And Grace and I were on our not-so-merry-because-Christmas-is-over way.

The Christmas celebration did not disappoint in 2010. And the best part? I'll get to see my entire family soon for Stacey's wedding. Happy January to me..... Y'all.

8 comments:

Diana said...

I am so excited for your sister to be getting married AND to be living by you guys! How awesome is that!?!!! And what lens did you get? I want a new one and love the way your pictures turned out, it looks like a good overall one.

Kristina said...

I love your new camera and all your amazing pictures... plus you are already so photogenic that it isn't fair :) What a great Christmas vacation! Hope you get feeling better quickly.

Rebecca said...

Aww. Everybody looks awesome! *waves hi to the Stringham family*

My family also has a tradition of opening gifts one at a time, taking turns from oldest to youngest until all of the presents are unwrapped. My husband's family, however, opens presents all at the same time, and it is so overwhelming and crazy! (Although Chris finds my family's one-gift-at-a-time tradition a little bit monotonous, I love it).

The Coons Family said...

Loved the update! I'm glad you got to go home for Christmas... PS... I think we will be stopping by in April. Get ready because we are going to party like it's 2004 SHANEQUA.

Momma Nielson said...

Another great post! I'm so happy that Stacey is starting her new life so close to you guys. Especially since you will hopefully be posting plenty of pictures of them taken with your new magical lens so I won't have to miss them so much.

Unknown said...

How fun! It sounds like the perfect break, minus the cold. I'm so excited for Stacy, and also for you getting to have her nearby!

Allison Barker said...

I LOVED seeing you. Hope I get to see you again soon!

Ashby said...

Looks like you got the 50mm prime lens! Do you love it?! It's one of my faves. Can't wait to see you on Thursday!!!!