Christmas Vacation

I've spent the last 2 Christmases in Utah. I've missed spending them with my family and was so excited to be back home this year. Unfortunately, my whole family wasn't together for the day, but I was glad to be away and be with some of my family. Gabby and I flew into Dallas which worked out great since I had my new niece, Averi Elizabeth to meet.

Gabby was very excited to meet her newest cousin. She loved holding her and sang her original songs as composed by Gabby.

Me, Averi, and Gabby before church

We spent a few days in Arkansas as well. It was great to be back home. My mom is quite the cook. She makes cinnamon bread wreaths every year to give to friends and let Gabby help her out a bit. They are to die for! Gabe and I could barely let my mom get them iced before tearing into them.

This was Gabe's first Christmas since getting home from his mission. He dug out a fun Christmas project from 2000, still a good fit! We had fun hanging out. He laughed at Gabby an awful lot though. I warned him that those traits he makes most fun of will be sure to turn up in his kids some day. Just ask Pam and Jenny!

My dad had me wrap one of Gabe's gifts one evening while Mom and Gabe were out. Dad didn't know where any labels were so he just had me go redneck and use a marker. Gabby was very offended that such a big gift wasn't for her. She found her own marker and tried to rectify the situation.

We drove back to Dallas on Christmas Eve. The weather prior to this picture was so pleasant. We even hit the 60's and I wore shirt sleeves. We even had a fabulous thunderstorm in Hot Springs on Wednesday night. It rained the whole drive down. Just before we made it to the Andersons, it began to snow. In Dallas, Texas. Y'all, my long-term blog followers, know my feelings about snow. I would have preferred that it stay warm, but it was cool to see how excited the kids and my Southern family was for it.

Gabby and I on Christmas Eve. Our family has the tradition of opening one gift on Christmas Eve before bedtime

Gabby had been worried about Santa finding her Texas. He came through and this was her Santa pile. We slept in this year until about 6am. My family, that is my siblings, have a tradition of getting up at 4am to open gifts. My parents could usually hold us off until 5am by insisting there was a fire going and they be served hot chocolate. I think that was always my favorite time when I was young at Christmas, the early hours of the morning just before the gifts were open. Marji was usually the first up and would wake us up. We'd run to the tree and I loved that feeling of magic from seeing all those gifts. Gabby is still a little young and I had to actually wake her up, but it was still great.

Gabby's main gift was a Nintendo DS. Madison has one and Gabby begs to play it every time she's over there. She was very happy to get the gift. In all honestly, it was a gift to me as well. Flying home was fabulous! She played her DS the whole flight. I actually was able to sleep and read my book. Gabby normally gets very offended if I sleep when we're flying and insists on seeing my eyeballs.

My parents gave me this gorgeous ring. I love it and am glad for some new bling! Still hate my hands though.

Gabby's Jingle Bell Rendition. Not knowing all the words doesn't stop her.

Gabby opening her DS.

We had a fabulous Christmas and I was glad to see my family and have a week off of work.