2013 Christmas Recap

I am back with a happy heart, a stocked closet, and a house that looks like Santa's workshop, but it feels good to get back into the blogging swing of things! Where do I even begin? Last Monday afternoon Chris and I headed down to the Texas Hill Country to spend Christmas with my family. Our car was packed with presents and pups and I-35 was good to us. (Anyone in Texas knows that it is rare if I-35 is friendly...)
Tuesday started early for Chris as he headed out to hunt around 5:45am. I took a rain check and enjoyed sleeping in. A day full of lounging ensued and then it came time to get ready for church. I was terrible at documenting this whole vacation through pictures so I apologize for the wordiness.  After church, just as we got home around 9:00pm, we got a call that my Meme had fallen and potentially broken her hip. Since my mom is her medical power of attorney and her primary care taker, I offered to drive my mom to meet the ambulance at the assisted living home. We prayed in the car in hopes that everything would be okay when we got there. Luckily, the paramedics had gotten her up and she was able to move, so they knew it wasn't broken. She did have an irregular heartbeat, but had an appointment with the cardiologist already lined up, so she, and my mom, decided that she would just get some rest and see how she felt the next day. (Everything turned out fine, thank God)
Christmas morning we opened presents at my parent's house and then went down the hill (literally) to my aunt and uncle's house. We brought down an egg casserole and munched on monkey bread, pigs in a blanket, and mimosas...a meal we have been having for as long as I can remember! Eventually we came out of a food coma and decided we should get ready for the day. My mom prepared prime rib, glazed carrots, asparagus, green bean casserole, roasted potatoes, and rolls for us. In the words of my dad, "This is the best meal of my entire life!" Thursday Chris had to wake up early and head back to Dallas. He and the pups and our presents headed back north and my dad, brother, and I headed to Austin to visit my granddad.  Friday I rode back to Dallas with my cousin and her husband. They were headed up for a little weekend getaway and the timing was perfect since Chris took our car back. Friday night when Chris got off work, we headed over to his parent's house for Christmas round two. Once again, we were spoiled too much! Chris said, "I love having double Christmas!" I would have to agree :) We spent Saturday lounging around, running errands, and then eating another wonderful meal. My mother-in-law cooked a delicious turkey and it was like Thanksgiving all over again! Now it is Sunday and I have yet to shower or get out of my pj's all day. I just brushed my teeth at 4:00pm, and that was only because I ate a lunch of seven pink startbursts. I have been playing with my new 50mm 1.4 lens and putting away Christmas presents and I have no plans of doing anything important all week. This teaching thing really does have its perks! Our presents: I got a Canon 50mm 1.4 lens, a camera strap, a camera bag, clothes, shoes, and a slew of other things I am so appreciative of. Chris raked it in with a remote control helicopter, camo gear, tools, a putting green, an air compressor, and so many other things! We are so undeserving, but so thankful.
I hope you had a wonderful holiday!  Coming up this week are some great posts about the end of my year of NO shopping!! Linking up with  Life of Meg!