Laidback Christmas

I woke up to post after post (after post) from parents detailing their Christmas mornings with their children.  Most were completed by 10:00 a.m., which is approximately when I decided to roll out of bed.  See, I’m flying solo this Christmas, so I had a leisurely morning at my mom’s house.  We (she) made omelets, we drank coffee, we watched Home Alone, and finished the puzzle she had started.  It was so nice and relaxing, but it was totally weird, too.  To have such a low key Christmas, when I’m used to the excitement and chaos of Christmas with children, left me feeling completely hollow.  I know I have to share, and I’m okay with that, but it’s the first year that I haven’t at least seen (let alone talked to) both boys.  It’s definitely been an adjustment.  And then, I looked up and out the window and it was snowing!

When the snow first began...an hour later...

Heading to my aunt & uncle's there was already a 2" drift on my windshield

After we marveled at the snow and got ready, we drove (separately) to my aunt & uncle’s house in Highland Village for some more Christmas fun.  They have three children ranging from 5^th grade through 8^th grade. 

By then, it looked like this outside:

Yay, snow!

Just to prove I was actually wearing a coat...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My grandmother was there, Clif & Colton came to hang out with our family, and my aunt’s parents were there as well.  We played a monster game of Phase 10, where I came in at phase 1 when the rest of them were on phase 4-5, and still ended up winning.  There were rumors of cheating, but they were false.  Plus, I’d like to see them prove it. 

I just love these boys...so SO much.  They're totally the brothers I never had...except they pretty much ARE my brothers.

 

Time with Clif & Colton is something I rarely get, and I’m so sad to see it end.  While we were all there, my sister called from St. Louis, where she’s spending the holidays with her husband’s family, so I talked to her for a few minutes, and then my mom talked to her for FOREVER.  Once it was dark, and the roads were all iced over, it made perfect sense to make the drive home.  Duh!  My drive was a much easier drive than everyone else’s since I can literally turn 5 times throughout a 15 minute drive and be home.  I didn’t realize I was that close to them. 

When I got home and applauded myself for not falling down the stairs that were covered in ice and disguised by a layer of snow, I checked my thermostat, and this is what I saw:

Uh, that says 64.  Degrees.  Fahrenheit.

It was pretty chilly in here, folks!  I turned on the heat, changed into some comfy pj pants, and FINALLY figured out my SKYPE password...just in time for a Skype date with my Seester!  It was a great chat with my sister, whom I always miss and which I could see more often, and I had fun talking to my brother-in-law, who was lurking, with only his shoulder visible.  We agreed to have Skype dates more often, and I think the boys will love them almost as much as I do. 

Also, one of my closest friends, Amy, got engaged tonight!  I'm so excited for her and her new little family.  He's a lucky guy...and he's TOTALLY outnumbered.  With his two girls and Amy and her daughter, PJ, he's completely outnumbered, but I'm pretty sure he loves every single minute of it.  I can't wait to hear all about wedding plans!

Before my night was over, I called a friend to see how her holiday was, and we had a great chat about so many things.  I started telling her one of the many stories of my life, and had to break it down into two parts so she could go to work tomorrow.  I'm pretty sure I have her hooked enough for part two tomorrow...and maybe she'll be able to make more sense of it than I can.  Maybe.

Until then, y'all...

 

Aubs