Christmas #1

This Christmas was one I will not soon forget. For many reasons:

-The kids....the look on Nate’s face when he opened his Buzz Lightyear wingpack, and watching Abby roll around in all the wrapping paper like a pig in mud. She had a ball.
-We had snow! Not enough to really go play, but still, it was pretty! And there's nothing better than a white Christmas.
-Having all of Greg’s family under our roof, allowing the kids to be at home where Santa could find them easily :)
-My mother-in-law and brother-in-law getting sick (oh yes, we think they caught the stomach bug from someone at church Christmas Eve). It was AWFUL having them feel so sick on Christmas Day, but at least we got to have a few good days to visit before that. (And thankfully, it did just last one day so they were both feeling better on the 26th & were able to drive back to Johnson City as planned.)

Uncle Kevin flew in from Boulder, CO on the 21st, and did a great job of thoroughly entertaining Nate for a few days. He was super patient with N while they “visited the North Pole” many many many times and crawled around on the floor in hardhats looking up chimneys for Santa & reindeer J N even got to have a “boys day” with Uncle Kevin & Daddy, as they ran errands (aka last-minute Christmas shopping) and went to lunch at McDonald’s.


Mum-Mum & Granddaddy arrived on the 22nd and Abby quickly attached herself to Mum-Mum’s hip! She soaked up the extra attention for sure.

We feasted on Greg’s vegetable beef soup that night and had good family time catching up.

On the 23rd, Nate & I started a new tradition! I am from Ohio, and both of my parents went to OSU. So they are “Buckeyes,” and as a result my mom made this delicious treat every Christmas. I thought I’d give it a try this year – with Nate’s help. It was a huge success and Nate was a big help. He loves being in the kitchen and helping with any project he can. With his apron on of course...wouldn’t want to get dirty! :) Aunt Bebe – I think you may have some competition in the baking dept!!

Aunt Gena arrived around midnight on the 23rd/24th, and played musical beds with Kevin, Joyce, and Stan that night. Needless to say, no one got much sleep! (And yes we need a bigger house to hold everyone!) Kevin left early in the morning on Christmas Eve to pick up his girlfriend Rocio from the Nashville airport, so we spent the day making Santa cookies, playing Candyland, showing off N’s new tool belt, and watching Christmas movies.

Kevin & Rocio got home just in time to leave for church at 4 pm. Even though we were early (a big feat for the Givens’ clan!), it was not early enough and it was standing room only by the time we got there. Luckily, Joyce spotted 2 seats in the “cry room” for me, Greg, & N (Abby stayed home with Aunt Gena), and Stan was able to find a seat in the front row. But Joyce, Kevin, and Rocio had to stand through-out the whole service. Apparently they weren’t the only uncomfortable ones…a lady actually fainted in front of them! Needless to say, it was an eventful Christmas Eve service, but a good one.



We feasted on pizza, wine, and salad when we got home (another Gibbs family tradition) and then the fun began...N was in the bathroom for over an hour with constipation problems, but was able to finish in time to read the Christmas Eve story with Greg, write a letter to Santa, and put cookies out. But it went even more downhill from there...Kevin & Mum-Mum started barfing at 2 am and were barely able to open presents or get out of bed all day. Worst Christmas ever for them! (And Granddaddy & Rocio who were the designated “nurses.”)

The rest of us did manage to enjoy the day though...both kids loved their Santa presents – for Abby, a monogrammed “reading” chair, and for Nate – his first bike!










Thank you to all the Givens for spoiling our kids rotten with puzzles, the BIG piano, the Elmo reading system, clothes, and dolls. I cooked the morning feast for everyone, and Stan & Greg were in charge of the dinner. Of course, we had a few less “eaters” than usual, but still, it was delish. And like I said, one Christmas I won’t soon forget.

Now we are in Clemmons, NC for a few days to celebrate Christmas #2 with my family. Stay tuned!