Merry Christmas

Christmas 2009 turned out to be a wonderful Christmas. Celebrations started Christmas Eve where we went out to Axtel to the Despain family Christmas party. As soon as we walked in the door, Hunter ran practically the whole time we were there. He had so much fun playing with all of his cousins. This year, Grandma and Grandpa Despain asked each family to bring a canned good to take to the local food bank. What a wonderful tradition to start, especially in these hard times. At the party we had a yummy dinner of BBQ'd Meatballs (tasted much like the same yummy recipe of my moms), roast beef, among other yummy items. We played Christmas Bingo, which I can't believe I actually won! My loot was a bottle of dish soap and a scrubber. After the Christmas Bingo, we did our traditional white elephant gift exchange to "Twas the Night (RIGHT) Before Christmas and all (LEFT) through the house. Not a creature was stirring (RIGHT) (LEFT) through the house." So much fun!!! Zane got a pocket watch, I got a picture frame, Hunter got a bag of candy canes (I know, just what he needs, more sugar running through his already busy body) and Paizlei got some pompoms. We had a great time! Thank you Despains for a wonderful Christmas Eve!

On Christmas day, Hunter was awake at 5:45am. Hunter was SOOOO excited to walk in the living room and see his totally awesome BIG present! Santa brought him a train set with a table to set the train up on. Other than his remote controlled tractor, that is all he wanted to play with. I was so amazed that we finally found something that keeps his attention for longer than 5 minutes. Thank you Natasha for the wonderful deal. Hunter LOVES it. Hunter also got a bunch of books, clothes, movies, games and Lincoln Logs.

Paizlei didn't know what to think of it all. She was a little lost with all of it. Paizlei would play with on of her new toys or dolls for a few minutes, but guess what she wanted? Hunter's trucks! She loves to push them around on the floor while she is crawling. She was so adorable. Paizlei got 6 dolls, a Top (toy), a giraffe that you put balls in and the balls come out the bottom, clothes, shoes and some other toys.

Hunter playing with his remote control tractor.

Paizlei with her stocking gifts and her giraffe toy.

We decided we were going to stay home this year and not go anywhere. We had Zane's mom and step-dad over for breakfast. Grandma and Grandpa, I think, had a lot of fun spending Christmas morning with Hunter and Paizlei and I know Hunter and Paizlei had fun spending the morning with Grandma and Grandpa.

My parents and brother Mike came down for Christmas dinner, along with Zane's dad and step-mom. We had a wonderful time visiting and all the ladies working in the kitchen. We had your typical Thanksgiving feast all over again for Christmas dinner. All-in-all, we had a good time visiting and I think all Grandma and Grandpa Young and Grandma and Grandpa Vincent had a lot of fun being with the kids on Christmas (plus, we gave my mom a year off of doing everything. I think she enjoyed it.).

After last year, Zane and I are blessed to have both kids under one roof on Christmas morning. We were together for most of the day as a family. Up until about midnight and I had to take Paizlei to the ER because she had a fever of 103.3. Poor little girl has double ear infections and bacteria in her lungs. They gave her shot of a strong antibiotic and then a prescription for the same antibiotic. Other than being really fussy, Paizlei is doing okay today. No fever.

We hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!!!!