Christmas Day with Family

After we had completed our Stockings from Santa Claus, four of us headed for another Christmas event--to David's family house. By the time we arrived there, there were lots of giggling, chatting and hugging.

Actually we arrived an hour late, Layla was thrilled to see the boys for a short period of time before they headed for her grandmother's house. We immediately gave her a Christmas gift from all of us. Layla looked darling with sunglasses, pink sparkling purse and pink/purple boa. With the little time, Ryan and Layla found a time to share their laughter. By the time she and her parents had to leave for her grandmother's house, she was so disappointed that she couldn't spend as much as she would like with our boys. However, we had planned on getting together this week.

Without Layla around, the boys found a way to entertain themselves throughout the evening: chatting, watching their new DVD tape, Super Underdog, and playing with Melissa and Doug's dog, Stella. Occasionally, Dylan would read his all time favorite book, The Magic Tree House series (1-8) around the house.
As for adults, we hung around the kitchen and living room as usual. Doug and Pam and their two daughters, Beth and Becky were busy cooking for the family. While cooking, it was a good thing Doug was mellow himself out instead of attacking us with the knife. Cathy was also was a good teacher to Becky by teaching her out to use the homemade gravy while they both were using wine. Lucky, the home made gravy did not burn after Becky found herself running out of wine.

Throughout the evening, we enjoyed chatting. Grandpa Jarvis especially was blessed to have his real home made box from his son in law, Mark. It was an awesome home made box I ever saw, especially making the Texas and the Lone Star. That is something he would always cherish his Christmas gift.

We were the last person to open the gifts. I did get many wonderful gifts from my Secret Santa, Sean. My Christmas lists he gave me made me even more special for the evening. Collecting more earrings were also one of the gifts I got it from him.

Both boys did get their remaining gifts from the relatives. Dylan got more PEZs, legos, games, and few other stuff from The Caviness, The Jarvis and Linda Miller. Dylan's room will have displays of his PEZ collections. Ryan was thrilled to get his own Hot Wheels Crash and Go from Linda. He really wanted us to open the gift before we headed for home. Of course, we had to tell him to wait until we get home and open the gift. Could you image that Ryan dragged his Hot Wheels in his huge Christmas bag on the way out to our van?
With all of the excitement we have had, we all were exhausted. The boys fell fast asleep in our van except us. Yet, we all went to bed early after all we had the nicest, warm Christmas Day with our loving family.