This year for the first time Oscar and I chose to stay home for Christmas. Because Savannah isn't the easiest traveler, airline tickets are on the rise, lack of a place to stay, amongst other things we just thought it would make more sense to stay home. I admit that I wasn't thrilled knowing that I was going to spend the first Christmas in 31 years away from my family so I was more than ecstatic when Harlan told me that he wanted to come out and visit us for the holiday. He and Mark along with Maya and Zoe arrived on Wednesday the 21st (my birthday!) after driving 20 hours overnight. Needless to say, they were a little tired. Savannah was beyond excited about having the two dogs here----Max and Lilly were beyond annoyed---and she was also happy to have Uncle Harlan around, too.
Week Leading up to Christmas
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not Maya's best side but at least Savannah is saying "cheese" |
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these 3 were so cute---they would all wait patiently outside until Harlan opened his door |
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playing around with Harlan and Mark |
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her favorite thing was to play in the dogs kennels |
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poor little Max---he's not sure what's going on |
Christmas Eve
After a filling breakfast of biscuits and gravy, Oscar, Harlan, and Mark battled the crowd at the mall to do a quick exchange and then completed a few other errands. Meanwhile Savannah and I got in a good run before battling the Target crowd---not our best idea but I had to get another baking dish--as well as the crowd at The Honey Baked Ham. Yes, I took a shortcut this year for Christmas dinner...don't judge me. We all then went to the country club for lunch before heading home for nap time. Oscar, Savannah, and I attended the family Christmas Eve service at church---short and cute---then went home to a steaming hot bowl of soup and cornbread--yummy! Thankfully Savannah went to bed early in anticipation of Santa's arrival and the boys stayed up late watching very not Christmas-y movies while I spent hours catching up on this blog.
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| Harlan and Savannah infront of the country club |
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| the pink shoes totally compliment the outfit |
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| getting Santa's treats ready |
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| quality control |
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| Don't worry, I left plenty for Santa |
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| putting out reindeer food |
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| looks like somebody was good this year |
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| more presents |
Christmas Morning
This morning definitely lived up to all my expectations....Savannah was beyond excited!! I loved watching her sweet face light up at the sight of all her presents and knowing she could finally open them. She was over-the-moon with her kitchen. Other big hits were Pinkalicious, the pink camera, 2 new movies, princess related clothing, and the Beast. Oscar's favorite gift was the green belt he's been longing for since our summer at Sea Island. My favorite gift......hmmmmmm, too much lovely Lilly to choose :)
After all the present opening was done, I made our traditional breakfast of egg casserole and monkey bread. Then we all went into a monkey bread sugar coma. The afternoon was spent playing with Savannah and her new toys while Harlan and Mark tried to nap before their long drive home. For Christmas dinner I prepared and/or finished a honey-baked turkey breast; broccoli and rice casserole; cornbread dressing; mashed potatoes and gravy; cranberry/walnut compote; salad with beats, goat cheese, walnuts and apples; and pumpkin bread pudding for dessert. After dinner we had to say goodbye to Uncle Harlan and Mark. I HATE goodbyes!! If Christmas night didn't already depress me, than this just made it worse :( Thankfully I can look forward to seeing Caroline and Lauren this Friday to help ease the sadness.
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| ohhhhh, that's mine!! |
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| ohhhh, that's mine, too!! |
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| a kitchen!!! |
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| more presents for me!!! |
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| a new princess outfit |
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| helping Uncle Harlan |
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| "Belle and Beast!!!" |
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| Pinkalicious!!! |
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| she now gets the best seat in the house |
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| "Beast!!!" |
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| a new outfit for Lucy |
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| World's Best Mom mug |
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| Santa came to Zoe, too |
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| More Lilly for mom!!! |
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| present opening is exhausting |
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| another Pooh!!! |
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| Uncle Harlan got what he asked for :) |
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| her very own pink camera |
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| taking pictures of Pinkalicious |
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| new Barbour coat for mom |
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| finally, a new pair of Chuck Taylors |
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| trying to put on her Pinkalicious jammies |
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| "Are you for real?!" |
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| Oscar's very own footie jammies!! Notice the new belt, too. |
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| another pink Disney outfit courtesy of Grams |
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| now Uncle Harlan is exhausted |
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| woohoo! pink cowgirl boots thanks to Granny |
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| by now Savannah is exhausted so mom had to open her remaining presents |
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| annual Christmas morning pic on the stairs--we just need to photoshop Michael in |
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| say "cheese" |
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| sleepy family pic |
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| Savannah with her BFF, Maxwell |
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| the master chef hard at work in the kitchen |
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| even Lilly is depressed now that all the presents are gone |
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| Savannah getting ready for a photoshoot |
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| Savannah loving on Mark |
In the words of Fancy Nancy, what a splendiferous Christmas!!! Thank you to Oscar, Savannah, and Harlan for helping to make this year so special. If only Grams, Grandad, and Michael had been here---maybe next year :)
