Holly Jolly Christmas Events

My last Holiday post was a simple wish for all of you to have a Merry Christmas because I was far too exhausted to elaborate on our holiday events.

Let's see...December 11th- 21st

The week after the big Bunco party Shannon, Sam, and I ALL had strep throat. After recovering from that and returning to work that Tuesday, I decided to stop at a little roadside market in Pelion (home of the Pelion PEANUT PARTY!!!) and get a bag boiled PEANUTS. Little did I know, I was picking up a bag of FOOD POISONING!!!!! We had to miss a couple of parties and well-deserved nights out but...Any who. I recovered from the labor-pain-like stomach cramps by Friday and tried to get back into the Holiday swing. Until...poor little Fulton started with the projectile vomiting on Sunday and so kindly passed it along to the rest of us. I didn't have a break from that until the next Thursday. We were out-of-commission for two solid weeks with THE CRUD!!!!! My poor little Fu even had to have an Upper G.I. done due to unrelated and unexplained episodes of vomiting prior to the whole stomach-bug thing. He was diagnosed with SEVERE REFLUX. He had it as an infant and we thought it had gone away but apparently not. The x-ray tech commented that she had never seen a baby chug the barium before. Fulton's claim to fame is that he will eat or drink anything that won't eat or drink him first. He was a tough little guy and tolerated all the testing very well. My poor children did NOTHING fun before Christmas. There was no traditional making and baking of the Biscottis and no visiting of fun attractions or holiday playdates...NOTHING. I intend to make it up to them in the New Year. Parent Guilt...there is nothing like it!

Fortunately, everyone was well for Christmas. So, on with the show we went!!!!

December 16th (okay, so they did 1 fun holiday thing)

Edventure Discovery Council's Snowville Breakfast

The Discovery Council members were invited to a breakfast and a visit to Snowville at Edventure. It was a very nice gesture and the boys really had a good time. They always love visiting the Edventure. It's a great place to see...if you've never been.

Cookie Decorating

Fulton checks out the Snowville slide

Sam at the fishin' hole

Fulton is just like mommy...he loves watching the weather with Ben Tanner

Sam and Fulton hit the hockey rink

December 23rd

Michael and Kristin came in town to celebrate Christmas with us. Kristin prepared a fabulous lunch for all of us. We exchanged gifts and I think everyone was very thankful for everyting. The weather was so warm and we stayed outside most of the day. The kids played so well together and we enjoyed the usual delightful chaos. We just couldn't function without it.
Uncle Michael (a.k.a. the baby tosser)

Waiting to open presents

Sam and Jameson go for a spin

Isabella tries to hug Fu

After leaving Muzzy and Boppa's we headed to the lake to spend the evening with NaNa and Papa. Sam and Kirstin played together so well. She likes to be Mother Hen to the little ones. Madeline and Fulton enjoyed their own playtime in the den. We had good conversation and a great time opening gifts! Everyone enjoyed playing Sam's new game that Uncle Randy and Aunt "T" gave him!

Kirstin and Sam scoped out the presents

Fulton and Madeline enjoyed their playdate

Who needs one angel on top of the tree when you can have 4 at the bottom???

December 24th

Wow! Another Christmas has arrived so quickly. We finished shopping and still had lots of wrapping to do. We also went Christmas Eve service at St. John's. Sam was to "sing"/stand for the prelude to the service. He walked out and stood at the front of the church like an angel. However, once he saw me in the crowd of the church he glared at me as if he could strangle me. It was truly priceless! I think I hit "stage mother" status at that moment. Our good friends sat in front of us and remarked that it is quite possible that Sam will need therapy because of the whole thing! The rest of the program he just looked at the floor and occasionally shot me a dirty look or two! Hilarious!!!!

Sam refusing to sing or make eye contact with anyone at church

After church we headed to mom and dad's for the traditional Italian Christmas that my mom has been preparing for my grandad (Papa) for about twenty years, since Granny died. It was super, as usual and everything looked beautiful! We were joined again this year by my Aunt Angie and Uncle Mike and my cousin Andrea. Clayton also invited April to join us for dinner.

Fulton and Papa (His Great-Grandfather)

Sam poses with Muzzy's Rudolph

April and Clayton

Aunt Angie, Papa, and Dad

After dinner we hurried home so we could put the boys to bed so Santa could come. I've never seen Sam so excited to go to bed...EVER! No power struggles that night!

Santa did indeed come that night, which leads me to...

December 25th Christmas Day!!!

We are so thankful for all our many blessings. I feel so fortunate to have been able to provide an exciting Christmas for my sweet boys. I am most thankful for the time I got to spend with my family and that everyone was happy and healthy. Watching the awe on Sam's and Fulton's faces was so heart warming. Sam could truly appreciate Santa and gift giving this year. I thank God for this joyous time of year to remind us of all of life's wonderful gifts!

Sam and Fulton had been very good this year!

Dixie and Linus had been good too! They both got plush new beds. Dixie got a pearl necklace and Linus got a new boot to chew on. They both had lots of treats in their stockings.

Santa enjoyed his mid-night snack of biscottis peanut butter bars and milk. He even left the boys a note regarding their extra gifts.

Fulton checked out his red car.

Fulton loves his new chair and Sam loves his race track.

They both love Sam's jungle animals!

The really good stuff is always in the stocking!!

After playing with Santa stuff and opening way too many presents, we cruised back to Muzzy and Boppa's house for more eating and opening. My mom and her sisters prepared the usual fare for 20+ people. It was fabulous as always and great to see EVERYONE!!!

Sambo and Fu pose in front of Muzzy's tree

Mom, Aunt Judy, Great-Aunt Nita, and Aunt Laynie

Mom made them all matching aprons.

"The Cookettes"

Fulton, all tuckered out, loaded up his favorite gift of the day, the shopping cart, with some of his loot and made his way back home. The shopping cart was, of course, the least expensive and came with a million pieces of play food that can be found under every piece of furniture in our house now! But He loves it!!!

It was a great day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!