As a child, Christmas was always with my parents huge family in Nebraska. It meant a ton of us in one house, playing cards (although playing for the kids didn't happen until a few years ago), midnight mass, Tom and Jerry's after mass, brunch, hilarious gift exchange with this God awful pair of gold underwear that got passed around every year and typically lots of snow. To me, that was what the holiday always was. Although I loved Christmas this year, I miss my large, goofy, extended family, especially my grandparents. So, since we couldn't celebrate with them, we still kept a lot of those traditions down here in Austin.
We started our Christmas week early by loading up the car, the pups and half the house and went up to Kansas. The drive went surprisingly fast, and I always enjoy seeing the huge trail of lights display right as we get to Oklahoma. The pups did surprisingly well in the 8 hour drive. We didn't have to make any unexpected stops, and traffic was actually not horrible.
Steel basically slept the entire ride with his head on the center console
We got in late Saturday night, and I know the dogs were SO happy to be on solid ground again. Plus, D's brother brought his pups along and they just loved each other. They are not all small dogs, and I was impressed that they didn't tear up the house while they were playing. We actually brought Steel up when we first got him. and I think everyone was amazed at how tall he got over the four months!!!
Big change huh?
We've decided that our Walker family tradition (or so I'm making it) is to wake up in our pj's, make breakfast and then all open gifts together. This year, I baked a french toast style bake that I could prepare the night before... which was awesome! I'll have to share the super easy recipe soon.
The next day we had a lazy morning, slept in, took our time making breakfast and just enjoyed being together. While eating breakfast, D's brother decided to pour a ton of super hot sauce over his eggs, which was quite entertaining. Needless to say, the bottle recommends using a drop at a time, and his eggs looked like there was ketchup on them. A few tears and half a gallon of milk later, he was pulling through. Silly boys, I'll stick with my sweet tooth.
I must admit that I didn't do a very good job taking pictures this year. I have a lot of the pups in the snow, but unwrapping gifts and of the family, not so much. We did unwrap gifts, and D and I got gift cards to Lowe's - that we were super happy about! The day was exactly the kind where you'd want to stay inside where it's warm. It basically rained all day, and by the end of the night, it turned to snow.
The pups just LOVED the snow...
Every time he was out, he'd come in with a ton of snow on his nose - silly boy.
Bella loved eating the snow. She would get the harder pieces and carry them around like they were a ball.
Running around like a crazy face
Steel is always ready to pounce on Bella
It's kind of hard to see, but Bella's face on this last one is hilarious!!
It was nice to have some time in the snow. The pups really enjoyed it, but by the 4th day of snow and that cold to the bone wind that picked up, I was ready to head back to Austin. I had so much fun seeing my friends and their little ones while I was up there. How could you not love spending all the time in the world with these faces!!!?!
Auntie Beth helping our godchildren open their Christmas gifts! Steel loved the kiddos.
D had fun playing with Emma, and we watched Beauty and the Beast only about 4 times while we were there. We got all kinds of love from the Fisher family and a 24-hour bug. Not the most fun we could have had. I got sick through the night and was mostly recovered by the morning. D, however, wasn't so lucky. He got it the morning I started feeling better and had it that entire day and into the next. Everything sick related hits him harder after West Nile messed with his immune system. We recovered and got one more good day there before we had to head home.
We got home late Thursday night and got to enjoy Friday running errands and getting ready for the weekend. Another holiday tradition that we always do is go look at lights. We took the whole family, even the pups, in Scott's vehicle and set out to see the best of Austin. We found a really good, but small street south of us that was super decked out. Then we headed up to Motzart's that put on a light show. I believe they do it every year, but this was the first I'd seen it, so that was fun.
We also showed the parents the crazy street of lights just south of 38th street. It's the first time they have been in Austin for Christmas. We ended the night spinning around the big tree in Zilker park. Still miss the trail of lights here in Austin, but hopefully they will bring it back next year!
It was cold and rainy down here in Austin Christmas eve and Christmas day this year. Pups even love snuggling in their blankets!
Mom only had to work a half day on Saturday, so we spend the rest of the day baking and made D some fudge and divinity - his favorite. He really is spoiled.
We made potato soup for Christmas eve dinner and watched all the best old Christmas movies that day. We made a pot of coffee to get us through the evening and went to midnight mass together. We ended the night with opening one gift and some delicious Tom and Jerry's.
Christmas morning we made monkey bread for breakfast, had some hot coffee and opened our presents in our pj's.
We do a gift exchange, and this year I had D and he had me. I got some small jars to organize my spice cabinet with and a sweet certificate for a trip to Ikea to get curtains! Boy was D in for trouble with that one. :o) I got him whiskey stones and a spirits aerator for his fancy liquors.
Bella Bear got a new MooCow and was SO excited - her favorite toy!
We spent the day being lazy, cooking a yummy dinner and ended the night with an epic game of Monopoly. Scotty had it on his iPad, and it was the first time I'd ever say I've played Monopoly til the very end. Needless to say, I whooped some butt and won! Woo.
My favorite part of the meal was definitely the Ginger Almond Creme Brulee he made! SOOO good!
It's always so nice this time of year that D get's two full weeks off of work. I love having him here and keeping me warm! I know he enjoys getting to sleep in and we can travel a little more to see family.
I hope everyone had a very merry, joyful Christmas!!
Love B
