Our ChristmasAdventures

We had such a wonderful Christmas!! Hudson enjoyed all of his trucks and toys he got from family, friends and of course from Santa!! We started with a trip to Gilmer ( 12/20-12/23) It was fun to hang out with our family. When we go to Gilmer, we have 3 parties to attend: Mamaw's party (our immediate family- 20 people), the Big Dean Party (Papaw's brothers and sisters and all of their families- usually about 100 people), and the Bowden Party (Mamaw's sister and all of her side of the family- about 35 people). Hudson had a blast playing with his cousins and Ella was held by just about everyone- Paul and I got a break!!
We came home and did laundry, repacked and wrapped presents. We went to the Christmas Eve service at FBC Euless with my parents, Ryan and Jenn and Jenn's whole family. It was wonderful until Hudson saw the juice from the Lord's supper and started insisting that he have some, " Juice, Juice, Mommy." I offered to get him his sippy cup, but I didn't realize Paul had taken it to the back with him and Ella- so that just made things worse. Overall, he did alright. It was really entertaining!! Hudson did find a "book" (the Bible) under the seat to keep him busy for a while.
Christmas morning we woke up and opened Hudson's presents. He wasn't really awake and he was only wanting to play with the bowl and spoon from his stocking. So, Paul and I opened Hudson's presents. Ella slept through it all. It was all too exciting!!
About 11 is when we went to my parents house. After a wonderful traditional Christmas lunch we started opening presents. It was so fun. Hudson was tired, so he wasn't that interested in the gifts. If you have ever seen Plunko played on the Price Is Right, then you would understand what Hudson did over and over again. He had 2 things of Carmex from Paul and Ryan's stocking and my dad's set of screw drivers in their plastic wrap. He would sit on my dad's new tool box and drop the carmex down the front of it like Plunko. It was so funny to watch. We had a good time!!
Thanks Mom and Dad and Auntie Jen and Uncle Ron for everything- the kids are already sleeping with their new (stuffed) dogs.
We headed to Houston about 4pm. We ate a wonderful Christmas dinner then opened more presents. It was fun. Every year Paul's dad plays the hot/cold game with us to find our Christmas card. This year Ella and Hudson got to play the hot/cold game. We had so much fun!! Hudson loved his new Elmo laptop. I don't think he put it down all weekend. On Thursday we took a little trip to Kemah. We ate seafood and Hudson got to ride the "choo-choo" It was a little chilly, but loads of fun!!
Thanks Sam and Nadia for such a great time.....and for some female bonding time Nadia!!
We came home on Friday. We were able to stop and see my grandfather in Newby on our way home. He was sitting up in his wheel chair. I was so proud of him. He fell and broke his pelvis on December 9th and has been on bed rest since then. His goal was to be sitting up for Christmas dinner- and he met his goal. He chased Hudson around in his wheel chair and loved on Ella. This was our first Christmas without my grandma (Memaw). We all miss her so much, but we know she was able to celebrate with Jesus on this birthday. We said she got to go to His birthday party.
I know it is a lot, but we really had a great Christmas and I couldn't leave anything out. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful family and great friends!! Merry Christmas!!