Also, I may have a Christmas tree allergy. I'm not sure, but I came down with cold-like symptoms two days after putting our Christmas tree up, and they haven't gone away. If I feel better -- all better -- a few days after the tree is down, I'm going to be both happy and sad. Happy that I'm better, and sad that the Christmas tree makes my allergies act up, the whole time it's in the house. I love our tree. I love the lights and the glow. I find myself looking at the tree rather than television shows at times. I love the ornaments on the tree from Keane's parents from all the years past.
The details of my Christmas are below -- because I put much thought and care into the gifts, I want to be able to look back and remember the gifts that were passed around through the years.
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My Christmas started out the Saturday before Christmas when our family gathered together for dinner and gifts. Because of ice and snow in the area, my brother-in-law was unable to attend. However, Kimberly's best high school friend, Krissy, was able to join us. On our way to my parents', with much excitement, Kaden exclaimed as we drove by a church, "Dad, did you see what they put up?!" Keane asked, "The nativity scene?" "I don't know...it's that old shed thing with the baby Jesus." I couldn't help but laugh -- that old shed thing. But at the same time, I hope the kids always remember the true meaning of Christmas. I grew up learning about the Christmas story, hearing it over and over, and never being allowed to write Christmas with an "X" in place of Christ, because Christ should never be taken out of Christmas. I remember the light-up ceramic church decoration that my mom always plugged in (that was my favorite decoration of all times), and the feeling I got when I thought about Jesus...about Christmas.
My brother has always been very "techy." Even at a young age he was asking for video controllers, video games, and memory cards. This year he got a couple shirts (which he states he likes receiving now that he's getting older), an MU stocking cap, cologne, a razor keyboard, mouse, and mouse pad (for better gaming). He got a large external hard drive, a new computer chair, a power cell phone charger, cords, and snacks (the latter on Christmas morning rather than our Saturday Christmas).
Kaden and Kylie got some creative gifts such as a shading/drawing kit, a spirograph kit, and a catapult kit for Kaden, and hair chalk, a rainbow loom rubber band bracelet kit, and an animal-bead-keychain set for Kylie, as well as a leopard-print cardigan from Kimberly.
From our parents, Kimberly and I received Christmas Jars books and starter Christmas jars for next year, which I cannot wait to fill up and share next holiday season! We also received gift cards to Bath & Body Works and I got a much-wanted hot glue gun. My sister got me a three-month subscription to Birchbox, which I will share more about in a separate post. She also got for me an infinity scarf and fingernail polish. Kimberly got a North Face jacket and The Little Mermaid DVD. Keane and Lonnie got gift cards to Bass Pro, they got each other Crown Royal Black (for Keane), a Duck Commander hoodie, Zippo hand warmer, and bacon spread (for Lonnie), and McCoy got Zara shoes and a lot of toys (i.e. Mr. Potato Head, doctor set, remote control puppy, cars, and bulldozers)!
My mom got an inversion table, and my dad got a Little Giant ladder! Mom also got a gift card and scarf, as well as pajamas and a mason jar cup, and on Christmas she got a Bluetooth radio. Dad also got his traditional chocolate covered cherries, along with flashlights and gloves.
We all got socks and toothbrushes, and other items here and there. We enjoyed a very delectable meal, and of course we enjoyed the company and time together.
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On Christmas Eve, I read the Bible Christmas Story to the kids, and we set out cookies and milk for Santa, and celery for the reindeer. Kaden wrote a note to Santa, and Kylie made a Santa hat and note for Santa as well.
Christmas Day began around 6:30 a.m. when Keane and I arose from our slumber to see what was the matter -- I mean, to wake the sleeping kids up (they had to go to a breakfast at 8:00, so we had to get the day started early).
Kaden received a bow case for his early Christmas present (his bow). He got basketball shoes, a hunting album created by me, the movie 42, a camo belt and wallet, an IH hoodie, a Bible, a calendar, and long johns (so he doesn't have to borrow mine anymore).
Kylie will be getting an iPod and iPod case very soon (which have not came in and/or are broken at the time being). She received cowgirl boots, a beautiful necklace, a full-length mirror, a light-up pillow, pajamas, and as well as a Bible, calendar, and long johns, too.
Keane got an MU pullover, a North Face jacket, a shop creeper, a "beer" shirt with a photo of a bear with deer antlers, a new quiver for his bow, and some other items such as undies, a metal magnetic bowl, chocolate covered peanuts, and a back massager.
I got a bird feeder with a pole and bird seed, insulated bibs, a bathroom scale, and a new bacon tray. I got yarn from Kylie, and a poinsettia plant from Kaden, and some goodies and snacks in my stocking.
On Christmas afternoon, we visited Keane's parents and gave them their gifts -- a flannel for Donn and the book, Carry On, Warrior, for Karen. They gave Kaden a fishing toolbox and items to go in it, and Kylie a pottery wheel. I got a beautiful Christmas snow globe that changes colors and has a cardinal bird. Keane got an antique stone crock that was his grandmother's. We helped activate Karen's gift from Donn, a smart phone! The day prior, Keane and his brothers helped deliver Karen's gift to Donn, a gun safe.
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On Christmas evening, we celebrated Christmas with Keane's family at his sister's house, where we had a delicious meal that included fried oysters, their family tradition. The food and company was good, and we got adorable ornaments from Donn and Karen. Keane and I got a set of two, one that has two sets of boots that says "Like Dad, Like Son," and another with two female sets of boots that says, "Like Mom, Like Daughter."
We had a beautiful, family-filled holiday. Next year, my focus will be on Christmas and the original story with the old shed thing, and hopefully my allergies will stand down, because a real tree it is in our household. Merry Christmas!
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