We celebrated Christmas with my family the weekend before Christmas. We spent time visiting, opening gifts, eating, and playing with the kids.
Auntie Dooney and Brendan, watching a movie together.
My parents had a fireplace installed the Saturday we were there. Brendan loved watching the guys at work.
Brendan helped Zizzi Liz and Papa make Marshmallow Rice Krispie Balls one afternoon while I napped with Megan. It was definitely a win-win situation!
Brendan and Megan, more than ready to open their gifts.
Brendan, opening one of his gifts.
Megan, opening one of her gifts.
As a surprise for us, my parents took the kids out for an hour of "grandparent time." They wouldn't tell us what they were doing or where they were going. It turns out they took the kids Christmas shopping for Brad and I (how sweet is that?) The kids each got to pick out a gift for each of us, with no prompting of ideas from my mom and dad. What did we end up with? I received two movies from Brendan (one was the newer Pride and Prejudice!) and two books from Megan (one of which was a Harlequin romance!) My mom said she did try to sway Megan into getting me a different book, but that Megan was determined to get it for me (so I dutifully read it, laughing the whole time. It's definitely not my genre of book, but who am I to not trust my 2-year-old?) Brad received a box of toiletries from Megan (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, lotion, etc.), which he loved. The most touching gift was from Brendan to Brad. A couple of months previously, Brendan was browsing through our bookshelf and he came to Brad's childhood Bible. He instantly fell in love with it and Brad gave it to him (which Brendan then put on his own bookshelf.) For Christmas, Brendan gave Brad a beautiful Bible. Brad was slightly puzzled at first, until Brendan clarified, telling everyone that it was for Brad because he didn't have one anymore. My dad said that the second he suggested the shopping trip to Brendan that was what he said he wanted to get Brad and he didn't sway from it even once. Above, Brendan is giving Brad the Bible. What a beautiful gift!
Megan, opening her favorite gift. It wasn't the Barbie that was the favorite gift...or even the dogs (although "squishy puppy" (one of the two puppies in the set) is now also a favorite...it was the little green ball that was the toy for the dogs in the set. She carried it constantly with her on the days following Christmas, and she still plays with it every day.
Megan received a My Little Pony carousel that plays music. She plays with that constantly too.
Brendan and his favorite gift from Auntie Dooney (a light-up car that makes sounds and moves forward), admiring Nona's Christmas villages.
The "Oh no...you didn't!" gift from Papa. A 2.5-foot tube of large gumballs. (He warned me that the kids were getting something "special" and giggled with glee.) Um....
thanks, Dad.
Auntie Dooney and Brendan, watching a movie together.
My parents had a fireplace installed the Saturday we were there. Brendan loved watching the guys at work.
Brendan helped Zizzi Liz and Papa make Marshmallow Rice Krispie Balls one afternoon while I napped with Megan. It was definitely a win-win situation!
Brendan and Megan, more than ready to open their gifts.
Brendan, opening one of his gifts.
Megan, opening one of her gifts.
As a surprise for us, my parents took the kids out for an hour of "grandparent time." They wouldn't tell us what they were doing or where they were going. It turns out they took the kids Christmas shopping for Brad and I (how sweet is that?) The kids each got to pick out a gift for each of us, with no prompting of ideas from my mom and dad. What did we end up with? I received two movies from Brendan (one was the newer Pride and Prejudice!) and two books from Megan (one of which was a Harlequin romance!) My mom said she did try to sway Megan into getting me a different book, but that Megan was determined to get it for me (so I dutifully read it, laughing the whole time. It's definitely not my genre of book, but who am I to not trust my 2-year-old?) Brad received a box of toiletries from Megan (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, lotion, etc.), which he loved. The most touching gift was from Brendan to Brad. A couple of months previously, Brendan was browsing through our bookshelf and he came to Brad's childhood Bible. He instantly fell in love with it and Brad gave it to him (which Brendan then put on his own bookshelf.) For Christmas, Brendan gave Brad a beautiful Bible. Brad was slightly puzzled at first, until Brendan clarified, telling everyone that it was for Brad because he didn't have one anymore. My dad said that the second he suggested the shopping trip to Brendan that was what he said he wanted to get Brad and he didn't sway from it even once. Above, Brendan is giving Brad the Bible. What a beautiful gift!
Megan, opening her favorite gift. It wasn't the Barbie that was the favorite gift...or even the dogs (although "squishy puppy" (one of the two puppies in the set) is now also a favorite...it was the little green ball that was the toy for the dogs in the set. She carried it constantly with her on the days following Christmas, and she still plays with it every day.
Megan received a My Little Pony carousel that plays music. She plays with that constantly too.
Brendan and his favorite gift from Auntie Dooney (a light-up car that makes sounds and moves forward), admiring Nona's Christmas villages.
The "Oh no...you didn't!" gift from Papa. A 2.5-foot tube of large gumballs. (He warned me that the kids were getting something "special" and giggled with glee.) Um....thanks, Dad.
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