This year's Christmas holiday was spent with my immediate family. My dad, step-mom "Nana Anna," brother Landon, and step-sister Sarah all traveled to beautiful West Texas. This was our first year to be together for Christmas. I was nervous about us all being in my little house with only one working bathroom but everything went so well I don't know why I was worried.
My folks flew in on the Tuesday before Christmas and the siblings arrived on Wednesday. When Landon and Sarah got into town, Damon and my Dad (sporting his workout cardigan) thought it would be fun if we went on a walk around UTPB. Normally this is one of the neater things to do in Odessa but the weather was not cooperating. 17 degree wind chill with drizzling rain does not make for a pleasant stroll. So we cut the walk short and went out for dinner at Ajuua's. Because what goes better with exercise than a platter of Mexican food covered with cheese? 
This was our first time to eat at Ajuua's new building. The staff was still working through the kinks of being in a different location so the service was not the best. We did have fun checking out all the hostesses bump-its and making every waiter that came to our table take our picture. I'm looking forward to going back to Ajuua's after they've gotten a bit more settled. 
Damon and Landon made a quick trip to the store for Rock Band. It was fun to watch Landon sing and dad play the drums. It was more fun for dad after we callibrated the drums so they were actually on beat with the music.
Christmas Eve morning we enjoyed a light snow. Just enough to make everything look like it was sprinkled with powdered sugar.
The rest of the day was full of cooking and craft projects. Sidney painted ornaments for the Christmas tree and decorated the gingerbread house with some help from Uncle Landon and Aunt Sarah. Nana-Anna and I cooked up a storm of Christmas goodies. We whipped up chocolate chip cookies, graham cracker toffee, and pumpkin muffins. Mmmmmmm! 
Before Sidney went to bed we put out milk and cookies for Santa. We also placed some paper down on the hearth so we could get Santa's footprints like my Grandpa used to have us do. Damon kept running to window saying, "Maybe we can catch Santa flying by!" To which Sidney replied, "What kind of trap are we going to use to catch him?" Ha!
Santa came to our house and enjoyed his milk and cookies. He left Sidney a stocking full of goodies and new dress-up clothes. Damon's mom and dad came over for present opening and Christmas lunch. Phyllis made a turkey and her delicious dressing! I was in charge of the ham which turned out surprisingly well. 
Sidney opened presents for almost an hour straight. Yes it's good to be the only child! Her gifts included lots of new books to read, make-up, clothes, Barbie and the 3 Musketeers, and a cool new vanity to give herself and brave volunteers makeovers!
Anna, Sarah and I went to the movies and watched Sherlock Holmes. We visited Walgreen's on the way home and almost bought bump-its before we came back to our senses.
My folks flew in on the Tuesday before Christmas and the siblings arrived on Wednesday. When Landon and Sarah got into town, Damon and my Dad (sporting his workout cardigan) thought it would be fun if we went on a walk around UTPB. Normally this is one of the neater things to do in Odessa but the weather was not cooperating. 17 degree wind chill with drizzling rain does not make for a pleasant stroll. So we cut the walk short and went out for dinner at Ajuua's. Because what goes better with exercise than a platter of Mexican food covered with cheese? This was our first time to eat at Ajuua's new building. The staff was still working through the kinks of being in a different location so the service was not the best. We did have fun checking out all the hostesses bump-its and making every waiter that came to our table take our picture. I'm looking forward to going back to Ajuua's after they've gotten a bit more settled. Damon and Landon made a quick trip to the store for Rock Band. It was fun to watch Landon sing and dad play the drums. It was more fun for dad after we callibrated the drums so they were actually on beat with the music.Christmas Eve morning we enjoyed a light snow. Just enough to make everything look like it was sprinkled with powdered sugar.The rest of the day was full of cooking and craft projects. Sidney painted ornaments for the Christmas tree and decorated the gingerbread house with some help from Uncle Landon and Aunt Sarah. Nana-Anna and I cooked up a storm of Christmas goodies. We whipped up chocolate chip cookies, graham cracker toffee, and pumpkin muffins. Mmmmmmm! Before Sidney went to bed we put out milk and cookies for Santa. We also placed some paper down on the hearth so we could get Santa's footprints like my Grandpa used to have us do. Damon kept running to window saying, "Maybe we can catch Santa flying by!" To which Sidney replied, "What kind of trap are we going to use to catch him?" Ha!Santa came to our house and enjoyed his milk and cookies. He left Sidney a stocking full of goodies and new dress-up clothes. Damon's mom and dad came over for present opening and Christmas lunch. Phyllis made a turkey and her delicious dressing! I was in charge of the ham which turned out surprisingly well. Sidney opened presents for almost an hour straight. Yes it's good to be the only child! Her gifts included lots of new books to read, make-up, clothes, Barbie and the 3 Musketeers, and a cool new vanity to give herself and brave volunteers makeovers!Anna, Sarah and I went to the movies and watched Sherlock Holmes. We visited Walgreen's on the way home and almost bought bump-its before we came back to our senses.Overall the week was a lot of fun and went by too quickly. I'm already looking forward to future family gatherings for this year!
2 comments:
It looks like so much fun! Love you so much!
That Sidney is a lucky girl! I'm sure she entertained everyone very well.
Geez, you're brave to host Christmas with that many out of towners! That ham does look good...
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