This Christmas Season, Part 2

Garrett had a Christmas party and book exchange on his last day of preschool. He was so excited to give his teachers their presents, he handed them over, then asked if they wanted him to open them. He said he had fun decorating sugar cookies with frosting and sprinkles, but that his ended up in the trash, because he didn't really like the taste (I don't know whose kid he is). I was there for the book exchange, and I snapped a couple of shots.

Garrett's not the only one who had some party fun. Ryan and I attended his annual office Christmas party out at the Texas Disposal Exotic Game Ranch and Pavillion. I actually went with the Howards, and Ryan met me there later, because he was running a race in Huntsville that day. He literally ran across the finish line, ran to the showers, and came out in a suit and tie. We had a lot of fun with his co-workers. The food was great, and the prizes and entertainment were fun. They gave away some great door prizes, including a flat-screen tv, grill, phones, iPods, cash, and other goodies. The wives of the owners go all out at this event and have a large budget. I got to go to my friend Jonna's annual girls' Christmas party, which is an event not to be missed. We enjoy good company, great holiday food, and a dirty Santa gift exchange (the kind where you get to steal someone's gift). It starts out sweet, but it can definitely get dirty. We each bring a homemade gift, and some of the girls are really talented. There were a lot of great gifts this year, and I got a good one. Thanks, Jonna, for all of your hard work! Finally, we attended a family Christmas party hosted by our friends Kim and Derek Reaves. They have a great playroom upstairs and big backyard, so the kids are mostly out of our way while the adults chat and eat. We didn't see Garrett much that night, except when he wanted food or drink. We also had a gift exchange, and we ended up with another good gift. Thanks, Reaves Family!

Garrett, Scout and I made Christmas cookies. Scout mostly helped with the mixing and then tried to prevent her brother from rolling them out nicely. Luckily, she got bored quickly and let us finish them up. Garrett and I were a cookie decorating machine, after I got them all baked. I iced them, and he decorated them. When Ryan came home and sat down to help, G immediately explained the very strict rules: 1) wash your hands first, 2) don't touch your face while you're doing it and 3) don't put too many sprinkles on at once. Ryan was very obedient. Then, we packed them up and delivered them to our neighbors. Later that week, I took the kids to TDS to take a few plates of them to Ryan's co-workers.

Little hands getting in the way

The master at work

Ready to deliver

My sister Andrea was in town for Christmas Eve, which was nice. Ryan packed us up and took us to a Christmas Eve service at a nearby church. They had an earlier service than our church, which started its service right at our kids' bedtime. It was a huge church, with a great musical program. Garrett listened to every word, I think, while Scout spent the time eating snacks and applauding herself everytime she managed to get a little pencil in the appropriate hole in the seat back in front of her. They ended with everyone holding candles and singing "Joy to the World." We then rushed back home, grabbing some dinner at the first place we saw open on the way home, which was Panda Express. Nothing says Christmas Eve like orange chicken that's been sitting under a heat lamp for a couple of hours. After the kids' baths, we let them each open one gift, and they chose gifts from Ryan's aunt Betty Jean. Scout loved her pillow and books. Garrett's ended up being a game, so we had to all play it once. Then we set up our plates on the table with cookies for Santa and carrots for Rudolph. We sprinkled reindeer food on the front lawn, and put the kids to bed. Finally, "Santa" got to work - the stockings were filled, the presents were placed under the tree, and Ryan spent a thrilling three hours putting together a kitchen for the kids. Don't worry. That one wasn't from Santa, so Daddy got all the credit the next morning.