Christmas

This year we spent Christmas Eve and Christmas morning at home with just our little family. Having Christmas morning at home together is one of our family priorities. Not traveling on Christmas Day is also a family priority, but for a few different reasons, that didn't work out this year. After we emptied our stockings and opened gifts for each other, we loaded up and headed to my parent's house. Actually first we had to mop up our carpet where our One Minute Miracle tree stand leaked all over everywhere. We now have a very attractive giant pink circle by the window where our tree skirt bled onto the carpet. I think it gives the place a cozy lived in feel.

When we got to my parents house, Daryl noticed right away that the big 7 foot tree we'd all gone to cut down a couple of weeks before had been replaced by a smallish but attractive artificial tree. You see, we love our miracle tree stand so much that we'd given one to my parents as a Christmas gift two years before. I think you see where this is going. Last year Dad forgot about the stand and used their old highly inferior stand. I gave him no end of scolding for this, to the point that he threw the old one away so he wouldn't forget the Miracle Stand this year. After Dad and Daryl struggled with the One Minute Miracle Tree Stand for about an hour (Daryl and I never had so much trouble with ours before) they got the tree standing tall and proudly in the living room. At some unknown point after that, the stand began leaking. My parents didn't notice their leak until Christmas Eve, when they realized that their fresh cut tree seemed really dry for only being a couple weeks old. They also noticed that several of the gifts under the tree were somewhat soggy. Quickly they took down the decorations and lights and threw the now very thirsty tree (they thought they had been watering it so diligently) out on the curb. Some of the neighbors even commented about how on the ball they were to get the tree out so early. Anyway, they next went out in search of a suitable replacement. Since it was Christmas Eve, the stores were ready to bargain off their artificial trees. They picked up a $500 tree for $20. Well, it may not have been $500, but they did get it for $20. That a pretty good deal for any tree.


So anyway, here are a few pictures from our Christmas.

Her "Big Candy" was possibly her favorite gift of the year.

Mmm, candy!

Stocking video!

Driving to Grandmomma and Grandpa's house. She insisted that I put her "hat" on or her. We're not sure if she was trying to keep the sun off her face on purpose, but it sure was cute!

She loves her new car from Grandmomma and Grandpa. The Leopard lives at G&G's house, but she loves him too.

This doll was made by my Great Aunt Dot. She's been around for a long time. Brynna discovered her for the first time on this trip and loved hanging out with Baby Dot for the whole visit. Here Baby Dot is wearing Brynna's extra jammies. Baby Dot also spent a lot of time driving the car and playing with Mr. Potato Head.