Round One

We have survived Christmas Round One. Actually, Round Two (of family visiting) will technically be New Year’s, so I can safely say we have survived Christmas. I’m not normally frantic about Christmas, but this year was a little different. We found out just before Thanksgiving that we’d be moving a week before family was scheduled to arrive, and we went out of town for a week at Thanksgiving.

When we returned home from our trip, we had a week to pack and paint. Forget Christmas shopping. My only saving grace is that we paid someone to clean our old house before the move out inspection. I can’t imagine how much more stressed I’d have been if I’d tried to do that on my own, too.

Once we got into the new house, our main goal was to unpack and hide the boxes. We didn’t want our family to feel trapped in our mess when they arrived. We succeeded. The night before John’s parents arrived, we hauled the last of the boxes to the trash to be picked up the next morning.

Then, I had to finish my shopping. Usually, I’m done with all my Christmas shopping (save the inevitable last-minute items) in October or November, so for me, shopping just days before Christmas was TERRIBLE. Everything got done and Christmas was a success (I think), but this is definitely the first time that I’ve heaved a sigh of relief once it was over. I hate that. I love Christmas. I hope I can treat it with more respect next year. Until then, here are some pictures of the festivities.

Our tree on Christmas Eve.

Neely snags some cookies.

Is this where it goes?

Christmas morning - not quite alert yet.

What did Santa bring?

Elefun IS fun!

The damage...and we're only halfway through.

Christmas flat wore her out.

A boy and his mama.

Is it done yet?

Our first fried turkey. Beautiful.

Neely loves to eat Christmas dinner!

I was there too, I promise. I'm just behind the camera. As usual, there is no evidence that I was present at Christmas.