Christmas 2015

Things were a little different this year for Christmas.  Usually, we do a huge production of hosting, cooking, etc.  But, with the expected birth of my nephew Charlie, who was due on Christmas Day, the name of the game for this season was flexibility.  Flexible meant we wouldn't do a big day of cooking and we would be ready to go to Austin at the drop of a hat.

In the end, Charlie came a week before Christmas, but we still kept to our small plans.  We had family over in the morning and spent a quiet afternoon of family and neighbor time followed by a festive dinner out at a Chinese restaurant.  Do I dare say it might have been one of the best Christmases ever? Sometimes less is more and sometimes less is necessary for recharging. We enjoyed the ease of the day and the glorious 85 degree weather.

Christmas Eve at my mom's:

Aunt Samantha gets the award for most creative presents with this amazing shark shirt:

In keeping with the "ocean" theme, she also got Grace a really cute mermaid blanket:

Christmas Eve night complete with lights on the stairs and Christmas tree pictures.

("Enough pictures, Mom")

Christmas morning present highlights included Legos, space rockets, and a new baby doll high chair.

We try to keep the present overload to a minimum, so I was thrilled when somebody asked Palmer what he got for Christmas and he said, "so many things, like a million!"  Sweet.  For the win.

We had family over for the rest of the morning to do presents and have snacks.  Grace is a super big helper with opening presents.

 When she's not hitting up the bar.  (Craft cocktail kind of gal...)

 Cheese for all.

Yeti cups: the gift of the year! I bought 6 in October and thank goodness because they were scarce and going for top dollar in December.  Also, my amazing sister got me tickets to the Dixie Chicks for next summer.  I'm so pumped!!!  Best sister ever.

The dudes and their Legos.

The rest of the day was spent outside in mild May-like weather conditions.

And to round out the night, we spent an evening in line and waited about two hours for the best Chinese food in town. It was such a scene and so much fun.  I might want to make it a new tradition!

 Merry Christmas from our family...and Big Tex's head(?!?)

 -Bethany