As usual, I'm running behind.
Better late than never, I guess.
This Christmas was the most laid back ever & I have to say, also, the best so far.
There are no pictures of us opening presents.
Know why?
Because there was no "designated" gift opening time.
The boys asked to open their presents when their daddy
came home from work for lunch Chrismas Eve day.
We all hopped in the floor together and began handing out gifts.
There were no phones, no cameras, thus, no pictures.
I'm okay with that.
It was actually great.
They each got what they asked us for.
We continued our family tradition of three gifts from mom & dad,
and they got to ask Santa for three gifts as well.
Jubal's list from us included:
Heely shoes
(the shoes with a skate in the heel)
A headset for his PS4
GTA5
(a racing game for his PS4)
Gentry's list from us included:
Rocket Fishing Rod
Beat The Bomb game
$10
(and yes I wrapped a ten dollar bill up in a big box just for him)
********************
Later, after Larson got home from work for good,
we went over to my mama's to spend some Christmas time with her.
We all gave her our gifts to her, and she gave the boys their gift.
They were so excited about receiving their soccer goal & ball!
We stayed and ate supper with her before going home to prepare for Santa.
********************
Jubal's wish list that he made at school made it in the local paper.
The boys had asked Santa for a go cart, a big trampoline, and then they
each asked for an individual gift from Santa, too.
Jubal asked for a Ben 10 watch, and Gentry asked for a Zombie Science Lab.
Again, I did not have my phone or a camera when they woke up Christmas morning.
I have to tell the whole story, though.
Of course, the go cart & trampoline wouldn't fit inside.
They had their own tree in their bedroom this year, so Santa
actually placed their individual gifts under that tree.
Well, the boys didn't sleep in their rooms that night,
so when they woke up, there were no presents from Santa under the tree
in our living room where they usually are.
They were both frozen in fear.
Jubal looked at me with the biggest eyes I've ever seen on him.
He said, "Mama, we were on the bad list."
I told him to check the cookies & milk to see if Santa had came at all.
Yep, the milk & cookies were gone.
Next, they checked their stockings.
Santa had left them some candy, but no socks, underwear,
or other things as he usually does.
They were certain they had not made the good list this year.
Larson walked into their room and called out for them.
They went running, and when they came back into the living room
with their single little gifts, I've never seen two more excited little boys.
They kept exclaiming, "Thank you, Santa! Thank you!!"
It was very humbling to me to see them this happy for their one, single gift.
We must be doing a little something right.
Then Larson & I reminded them that surely the go cart & trampoline
HAD to be outside since they were too big to be inside.
They went running to the back door & out they went.
It was a wonderful sight to see their faces light up.
It was a beautiful sound to hear their squeals of delight.
It was an awesome Christmas morning.
I did grab my phone while they were getting dressed to go ride their go cart.
It was still basically dark outside, but they didn't care. :)
We had a low country boil later in the afternoon.
We built a nice fire in the fire pit since we were all outside,
and it was a very chilly day this year.
My sister & niece got a late start, so they didn't make it until later.
My mama decided to stay home since it was cold.
She didn't want to be out in the weather, so we just took her a plate.
Larson's family was all there, though, and we had a great time together.
Jubal and his faces...haha!
Granny & her babies
The sisters & brother
My sister & niece eventually made it.
The boys got to open their presents from GiGi & Laney.
They each got their own fish bowl, fish food, etc.
We went the next day to let them pick out the exact fish they wanted.
Jubal got a crimson male beta, and Gentry got a blue female beta.
It was a Christmas to be remembered.
Even without pictures.
My heart will always remember this one for sure.
