Baylor fell asleep on the couch and this was the first year he did not wear red jammies with his name on them. We have them but he wanted to wear these as they are more comfortable than the woven cotton set we have.
Santa delivered so many gifts to our tree I was not sure he would have room for them all! But I helped him tuck them into the tree nook and it all worked out.
The pet's stockings were hanging in the window and he filled those as well.
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He enjoyed the M&M chocolate chip cookies and mug of milk we left for him as well. The cookies were pretty awesome, the recipe really turned out soft and chewy cookies just like I like them.
In the morning Baylor found the gifts Santa left for his mommies: new bikes so we can all ride together. Mine is a pistachio green beach cruiser and hers is a red and black cruiser. We don't live on the beach but we also are not going to be racing anywhere.
The pets opened their gifts first and Grimm really liked his new toys and Eddy of course loved her jerky treats.
Then it was time to see what Santa had left for us. Baylor can read or at least find his name on the tags so I did not have to help him as much this year with that. Let's just say, Santa was very good to him. We actually brought down his chalkboard Christmas list and crossed things off as he opened them.
Grimlock was a big winner in the presents. He was really looking forward to this one.
And Optimus Primal who turns into a dinosaur.
Meme, Pap and Jason spent the night and were there to open gifts in the morning. Well, Meme was there from the beginning. Jason woke up next and Pap wandered out eventually. Gloria bought Jason new pants and shoes which is what he said he needed.
Mom and Dad arrived around 11. Mom and Meme were in red and both had on their flashing necklaces.
Once my parents were there would could open stockings and the gifts from each other. Baylor was very helpful in delivering gifts to the family as I handed them to him.
And even did a little booty dance for us! Little goober.
We love being able to spend time with our family. It may be the same few people but they are very special to us. And it is important to Gloria and myself that Baylor spend as much time with his grandparents as he can.
They brought him gifts and he had fun opening them of course.
I saved his stocking for when everyone else was opening their gifts. I knew he would get a bit pouty if he was not occupied. It it an obnoxiously big stocking I know but it works for us.
I told him to just upend it because there was nothing breakable and it was much faster than taking everything out one by one He found a lot of small Christmas stuffies, most of the main characters from Rudolph The Red Nosed-Reindeer, sweets and treats, and crafty items.
Eddy walked right past the mess to see her Pap. She still loves him second only to us.
Let us just say the 'magic' of Christmas was evident in the piles of presents everywhere.
Dinner was served around 1 o'clock but I took some photos of Meme. She loves to collect photos of everyone.
But she is the only one who likes to pose for photos. Everyone else gets tired of it much faster than she does.
Jason left before lunch to spend the rest of the day with his girlfriend. She lives in York County so is fairly close to our house.
I stole the table setting I had put up at Mom's for the Aunt's Meeting. I think I will make one for her next year.
We are not very traditional about Christmas meals in that we have to have the same foods every year. At least I am not and since I am doing the cooking, the rest have to just go with the flow. I made a braised brisket as part of our meal.
While it was tender and delicious, the tomato sauce in the braising liquid took over and it tasted like it had been cooked in spaghetti sauce.
And there was ham of course. The Thatcher's were there and they love themselves some ham.
And mashed potatoes and gravy, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, potato and celery root gratin, bread, fruit salad, Meme's cranberry dressing. There was plenty of food for all everyone to eat and take home enough leftovers for several meals. My plan came together!
And some parting photos.
For some reason I put a tulle ribbon that was on a package in my hair. I do not look good in headbands but there was nothing I could do at this point. My hair was set in the tulle.
I finally took photos of Baylor with his gingy houses. This one he made at the party.
This one he made at the day care. It had a pool and roof slide.
The Christmas aftermath was overwhelming! New toys everywhere. Boxes and instructions everywhere.
Legos for Mommy to put together everywhere.
I send out over 70 Christmas cards and this year we received about 30. I am thankful for everyone that decorates out home. The build up to Christmas takes weeks and in a short 24 hours it is over but we try to keep the memories in our hearts forever.
I pulled out the outfit Baylor wore home from the hospital to show him how tiny he once was. He wore it on his head of course.
