Well, Christmas Eve didn't start off as planned for many reasons. For one thing, it was about a bajillion degrees, and we had some mad and crazy rain (as a matter of fact, it's STILL raining....almost a week later). MONSOONS that washed out roads and covered the lake docks. So of course, our basement flooded!! We spent the entire morning cleaning up water messes, and digging trenches in the mud:
While that stunk so very badly, Josh helped us all laugh our way through it. He never fails to find the good in every situation.
Grandmama and Lea came over at lunchtime so we could go ahead and spread a little Christmas cheer :) Here's Grandmama passing out gifts like Mrs. Claus (if you look closely at the back door, you can see Henry's silhouette - he's literally turning the doorknob trying to get in. Poor guy. The monsoons made him look like a Swamp Monster, so we couldn't let him in for our gift exchange).
Josh was so excited to get his annual gift of TOILET PAPER this year from Grandmama. Two big bags of Angel Soft!! Winning.
So excited to open gifts:
Hair extensions (as if she needs longer hair). #rapunzel
Along with the toilet paper, Grandmama also gave Josh some cowboy boots that he's had is eye on for a while. Yeeehawww!!
Doing a little cowboy dance:
He immediately went and put on a pair of my "jeggings" to sport his new boots. Amazing.
I got new Toms, and Lea got new high-top converse!! An overall shoe WIN!!
Grandmama teared-up over one of my gifts to her. Not at all my intention, but I'm so glad she liked it :)
Finally, it was time to put on our PJs and head over to Grandmommie's and Paw's for our annual Pajama Party!!
So much fun with family:
While the girls loved ALLLLL of their gifts, they were super-stoked about their iPads and headphones from Grandmommie and Paw. :)
Grandmama was trying to "teach" Matthew how to paddle ball. Paw looks pretty fearful in the background - "Don't take out my TV!!" :) :) :)
Epic fail.
Aunt Mary gave Grandmommie some of her baby clothes.....so sweet!!!
We so enjoyed our time with family, and we couldn't wait to see what Santa was going to deliver!
Last but not least, another reason that Christmas Eve was oh-so-bittersweet is because we learned of the passing of our sweet Uncle Jack, one of the kindest and most diligent souls on the planet. He (a retired fire-fighter) lost his life in a house fire the day before Christmas Eve. Our hearts were broken for our family, and we ask that you lift them all in prayer today as we lay him to rest, particularly my precious Aunt LaVerne (his bride for 66 years). The picture on the left is them many, many moons ago, and the picture on the right was taken last month - still lovebirds.
The truest of love stories!!
Cheers to Christmas memories.....and TRUE LOVE!!
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