Christmas Eve was supposed to be a really special day. We were planning on going to the Christmas Eve service at our church, as we do every year, and afterward, we had invited the family over to our house for finger foods and fun. I was going to move the keyboard upstairs so my mom could play Christmas songs while Cora Leigh and my niece, Hayden, sang and danced along. It was going to be a special time of making memories. Instead, we missed the Christmas Eve service because Jeremy was discharged from the hospital at about that time, and we went home to disinfect everything, once again, and welcome home a weak and still recovering Jeremy. Even if Jeremy had been well, my niece was recovering from strep and my nephew had RSV, so they weren't going to get to come anyway. So it was a pretty quiet Christmas Eve at our house as it ended up. Cora Leigh was super excited about Santa Claus coming! She was sure to leave a cookie for Santa and left one for Mrs. Claus as well.
Christmas morning, Micah and I were the first ones up. He had a great time playing with one of his sister's gifts while we waited for the others to wake up.
Santa Claus came!!
"This isn't for me?"
We took a video of Cora Leigh when she got up on Christmas morning. Unfortunately, the sound did not come out very well at all, but you can still see the excitement in her facial expressions and mannerisms. Quite precious. :)
Here are some pics from Christmas morning.
Cora Leigh's new power drill
This kid loves some bows
She loves her Leap Pad!!
We were supposed to have Christmas with my family the weekend after Christmas, but because of the RSV mentioned before, we were unable to all get together. We still loaded up the kids and the dog and went to Grandma and Grandpa's house.
Grandpa and Cora Leigh riding the "train"
Snack food yumminess
My handsome boys!!
Me and my dad
Micah celebrated his 10-month birthday! We were having a hard time getting him to sit still for a pic with his sign.
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Micah loved crawling under the glass of the end tables
Cora Leigh showing Big Papaw some artwork
Cora turned Grandma into a camel
The plan was to have our family Christmas dinner at Mom and Dad's, but we switched that up so that we could take dinner to Bryan and his family. They only live 5 minutes from us, so Christmas dinner was moved to our house. It was fun to "host" Christmas dinner, especially when I hardly cooked anything! :) And I got to use all my cute Christmas dishes and serving pieces.
Notice the cute plates paired with birthday napkins...it was also my birthday. :)
Yum.
Yum.
We did our gift exchange in an unconventional manner due to the illness plaguing the family. We still wanted to open gifts together, so we used Skype. It wasn't the easiest thing to do when you have a 3 year old on both ends, but we managed as best we could!
Skype visiting
Micah wanted to wish cousin Harrison well and a Merry Christmas!
Carrot cake birthday cake - DELICIOUS!
We had a fairly quiet New Years Eve in Jasper with my parents, sister, and grandfather. We played Phase 10 for what seemed like hours, and we actually stayed awake until midnight! Of course, we were celebrating on Eastern time despite being in the Central time zone. :)
What?!?
Cora Leigh sporting Aunt Mandy's headband
Rowdy bunch getting ready for Phase 10
Me and Mom
Overall, it was an odd Christmas, but I am so thankful for our family and how blessed we are!!
