Christmas Debriefing

Josh Quotes

Christmas Edition.

"Tis the Season to be Season." (When singing Deck the Halls)

"That's the true meaning of Christmas, Charlie Brown."

"Ladies and Gentleman.... Baby Jesus is Born!!"

"Merry Christmas, and to all a good night."

(He said this phrase whenever anyone wished him a Merry Christmas.)

It was a balmy 72 degrees on Wednesday, so we took my parents to hit some golf balls. Josh had plenty of instruction from his father and grandfather. It was a beautiful, sunny afternoon and we enjoyed breaking out our shorts for the golf. However, it sure didn't feel like Christmas was two days away!

Only in Texas can you be wearing shorts on Wednesday and playing in the snow on Thursday! We were blessed with a legitimate Texas- sized snow blizzard on Christmas Eve. The snow stuck around through the night resulting in Josh's very first white Christmas!!

Phil got Chris the Beatles Rock Band for Christmas. Phil and I grew up hearing The Beatles, so we had a great time. My mom won the vocalist portion of the game as she knew every word to every song! We enjoyed a rockin' jam session while Josh napped the afternoon away. But, Josh joined in when he woke up and now knows the words to Yellow Submarine. Cute!

After our church's Christmas Eve service, which was remarkably awesome, I cooked a big meal for the family. As tradition, we popped open English Christmas crackers. Some how, Josh seemed to win EVERY single one! He wore the crown proudly and wasn't too shy to ask where his castle was. Good thing all the winning it didn't go to his head.

After whisky and wine, everyone was acting a bit goofy.

This one's always goofy. No alcohol consumption required.

Ditto for these two.

After our Christmas Eve dinner it was time to prepare a plate of cookies to leave for Santa. Josh did a great job arranging the cookies and counting 9 carrots for Santa's 9 reindeer. He held the plate with two hands, just like he is supposed to, but just as he was about to set it on the hearth, the plate of cookies dumped over onto the ground.

He was really upset over the cookie accident. Don't tell Santa, but we invoked the 10 second rule on that one.

Uncle Phil was quick to jump in and save the mood by making Josh smile again.

After Josh was nestled all snug in his bed with visions of sugar-plums (or more likely, Buzz Lightyear) dancing in his head, the adults ripped into the piles of presents under the tree. Chris got a big old surprise under the tree from Mrs. Claus... a red rose tied with a burnt orange ribbon. Humm, what could that be for? A ticket to the BCS game in Pasadena to watch UT beat the pants off of Alabama, of course!! And, not to be outdone, Mr. Claus got me some bling bling. It is safe to say we were both pleased with our gifts. Football and jewels... we are easy to please.

Chris and I stayed awake until almost 1 am getting everything assembled and set-up for Josh's Christmas morning. Good thing we were in bed before Santa arrived.

Josh wakes up between 5:45 and 6:30 am every morning. However, Christmas morning, he slept in until 7:30!!!!! Chris was awake at 6 am tossing and turning in the bed, begging for permission to wake up Josh so he could watch Josh open all his presents under the tree. Chris was the impatient child instead of Josh this year. It was darn cute. I love this picture my brother captured of us watching Josh look through his stocking.

Josh's reaction to finding his toys from Santa. "Ohhhhh My GOSH!!!"

It was so fun watching Josh rip into the presents this year. He was totally into opening each gift as fast and as violently as possible. I honestly don't think we could count how many cars/trucks/tractors he received. He is in automotive heaven!

The two big boys had more fun than the little one with the awesome John Deere tractors that Phil and Anna gave Josh. Josh calls the big one, "the big, huge, giant, monster tractor."

After opening presents and consuming more coffee than should be legal, we braved the snowy, icy roads and headed to the Gaylord Texan for their amazingly ginormous Christmas buffet. And, after consuming more food than should be legal, we walked through the very chilly, but very stunning ICE exhibit. Josh LOVED the Who-ville characters and going down the slide made of ice. I enjoyed it very much, but keeping up with Josh was near impossible with everyone dressed in identical blue parkas. Yikes.

"I can't put my arms down!"

Christmas afternoon, we all headed to Austin and Wimberely to see Chris' family. By the time we arrived, Christmas dinner was in full swing and we had a great time listening to Josh sing Jingle Bells for everyone.

More presents! Is it obvious Josh is the only child and grandchild on both sides of the family?

The next day, we had a chance to relax. Relaxing to the boys meant playing their guitars. Relaxing to the ladies, meant going shopping in the adorable little town of Wimberely. Josh doesn't really understand the word "relax" and danced around with a shaker most of the day.

To satisfy my big brother's goal to visit all of his favorite Austin eating establishments in the span of 48 hours, we headed to The Salt Lick for dinner. It was so fun having both of our families together (well, except Ginger who we missed terribly). I kept telling Josh that everyone who loves him most in the world was together in one place, just for him (well, and the yummy bar-b-que)!

THESE are the men that Josh looks up to... oh dear me.

Before heading back to home and reality, we stopped by to visit a few friends in Austin. This giant tub of Play Doh from Pickles has been my saving grace the past two days as I have been TRYING desperately to get my house back in order. I have NO idea where I am going to put all the new toys!!! First project of the new year... build a parking garage in the backyard for all of Josh's vehicles. I'm sure the home owners association will love that!