As I'm sure I've said many times before, Christmas is my absolute FAVORITE time of the year. For the most part, everyone is in a good mood - other than in crowded stores. I was able to finagle my schedule to have 2 1/2 weeks at home over the Christmas holidays. The first few days were all about travel. I spent a couple of days in the Dallas area, and then we went down to Livingston for Sean's coming home party. (He made it safely home from Iraq last month. PRAISE GOD!!!!)
Just a side note on our brave Marines, Soldiers, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard . . . Please continue to pray for their safe and quick return home, as well as for all those who've been wounded protecting our freedoms!
After we left his party, we headed to Houston to visit my nursing school roommate. We all went to church together that Sunday morning - where the hand bell choir played some Beautiful Christmas carols, - and then we went to GRINGO'S . . . some of the BEST Tex-Mex in Texas! YUMMY!!!! :)
Monday & Tuesday were filled with shopping. Unlike most people, I actually enjoy going to the stores/malls during the Christmas holidays . . . for short periods of time. (Even I'm not that insane!) Then, Wednesday was "spa day". My mom, mamma granny, and I went to a local salon for some fun. My granny's birthday present was to get a facial & massage, so my mom & I decided to join her - rough life, huh? :) I was SO excited because my hair had finally gotten long enough to donate again. YEA!! In case you've never heard of doing this, there is an organization based in Florida called Locks of Love that makes wigs for children who've lost their hair due to some illness. They take donations of hair (or money if you can't grow your hair out), and I believe the wigs are free for the children. I've been able to do this a few times, and it's always so rewarding to think that some little girl won't have to be bald! Thursday, I got to spend some time with one of my good friends in the Dallas area and her two little boys (my 'nephews'). They're ages 2 & 4 and SO FULL of energy!! I always have a blast playing with them. :)
Starting on Friday, it was time for baking!!!! I baked . . . and baked . . . and baked . . .well, you get the idea. SO MUCH FUN (& food)! :) My parents and I spent most of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in the kitchen. We all had a good time. All good ways to pass the time until the BIG DAY . . .
Christmas Eve, we spent some time with my Grandaddy and Granny Shirley at my aunt's house. It was good to catch up with the family again since I hadn't seen this side of the fam since the summer. Then, came CHRISTMAS!! I guess I'm still part kid, because I just CANNOT sleep in on Christmas morning!! I was nice and let my parents sleep until about 7:30, but then I couldn't take it anymore - it was time to start the fun! I love watching people open the presents I've picked out for them and seeing their reactions. It's one of my favorite things about Christmas. Later that day, we got to spend some time with my Mamma Granny and Papa Art, as well as some aunts, uncles, and cousins that I don't get to see much. Good times.
Wednesday was one of the best days of the 2 weeks since I got to go see my little Sam. He's so precious! He's really big into the matchbox cars right now, and he MUST have them lined up end to end. If one gets turned sideways, he'll just stand there and scream at it until someone fixes it. TOO FUNNY!! :)
Then came Friday . . . as a Christmas gift, my parents were given tickets to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra performance in Dallas. Thankfully (for me) there was an extra ticket that I could have. There aren't words for that show!! It's "80's punk rock band meets classical music." Along with the phenomenal musicians, they had constant laser light shows, pyrotechnics, snow, or all of the above perfectly in sinc with the music. Lot's of people have started timing their Christmas lights to flash along with the music. I've attached a video of one of them. Just multiply it by about a 1000 and throw in the live musicians, and you'll have something similar to the concert. If you EVER have the chance to go to one of their shows (and aren't prone to seizures from brightly flashing lights!), I'd highly recommend you go!!!! :)
I hope the video works for you. If it doesn't, just go to this website.
So, that was my Christmas vacation in a nut shell. It was VERY busy, but also VERY fun! I hope your Christmas was just as wonderful!
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