Christmas, Round Two

After Christmas morning with Richard's family, we headed down the street to spend the rest of the day with my side of the family. This is the first Christmas that my parents and I have lived in our new houses, and how wonderful it was to be so close. This year, we didn't even leave the neighborhood!

Tucker eagerly ripped opened his Christmas presents, and enjoyed helping Macy open her gifts. Seeing the excitement fill his eyes was so much fun. He was thrilled to finally open presents. Earlier last week, our little messpot was caught hiding wrapped Christmas presents under his bed. As I spotted him carrying a present to his room, I quietly watched to see what he was doing. I then discovered that there was a stash of gifts under there. The little stinker!

It wouldn't be a normal family holiday if Papaw didn't break out the guitar, and what a special treat it was this year when he and Clay sang for us! After a day filled with family, food, opening presents, and playing with toys, Tucker passed out on the living room floor. One minute he was happily playing with cars, and next thing we knew he was OUT. We took that as a sign of him having a wonderful Christmas!

As always, we enjoyed the time spent with Momo and Papaw, Uncle Jeff, Aunt Kim, and Clay, and Great-grandma. Both Richard and I come from fairly small families, so we definitely cherish time together with everyone.

Handsome Cousin Clay.

Goofing off with Uncle Jeff!

Papaw & Clay singing as Tucker plays the bongo drum!

Exhausted Tuckerman.

Christmas, Round One

In true Pierce procrastination fashion, we hardly had any presents wrapped come Christmas Eve nightfall, and there was a play kitchen and massive train set yet to assemble. It was inevitable that we were approaching a sleepless night. I actually slept a couple of hours, but Richard really was up all night. We have agreed to be more prepared in the years to come, for no sleep=grumpy Mommy!

Nanny, Aunt Jeanne, Uncle Chris, and Cousin Isabel joined us on Christmas morning. Richard and I so much enjoyed having family over to our house this year. Tucker absolutely loved having Cousin Izzy there to play with his new toys, and I especially appreciated the relaxing time spent with family. We are still talking about what a perfect Christmas morning it was!


Making cookies on Christmas Eve.

My loves in matching Christmas pajamas!





Cousin Isabel and Tucker helping Macy open her first ever Christmas gift!







Cousin Izzy...what a beauty!










Uncle Chris playing with the Thomas the Train track from Santa!

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

Today Papaw and Clay (and Tucker!) performed I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day by Casting Crowns for all of us. As a member of the Collin County Boy's Choir, Clay had the honor of singing the chorus of this song at the Casting Crowns concert last month at Nokia Theater. Papaw came home and taught himself the song (he is a self-taught guitar player), and he and Clay sang it together for the first time today. Tucker picked up his bongo drum, plopped himself at their feet, and drummed along. Maybe, just maybe, Tuck will inherit that music gene!

Click on the film below to view the video of our talented boys!

Photobucket Album

Annual Breakfast with Santa

Saturday was Breakfast with Santa at Firewheel County Club. It's a family tradition that was started several years ago when my nephew Clay was just a little one. It's so much fun! Not only do the kiddos get to see Santa and make a Christmas craft, but the breakfast is delicious!

As we entered through the doors, Tucker spotted Santa Claus walking through the dining room. He took off running towards him and leaped into his arms! Good thing Santa was paying attention, or else he may have been tackled! Tucker told Santa what he wanted for Christmas..."choo choo trains, choo choo tracks, and cars," then we had to pry him off of Santa's lap so the other kids could have a turn. Tucker must have sat on Santa's lap 5 or 6 more times. That's one of the nice things about this event, the kids can see Santa as much as they want without waiting in line. Tucker told Santa that he loved him, and good ol' Santa was a trooper, as he gave him a big hug and said he loved him, too. It was so sweet! Once again, Macy was not too fond of Santa!

Cousin Clay helped Tucker make a snowflake ornament, which Tucker is so proud of! Our annual breakfast with Santa is one of the things we look forward to the most this time of year. Memories created, and always lots of photos to journal our enjoyment!



Tucker with his buddy, Santa Claus!



Macy was not thrilled about sitting on Santa's lap...



Momo to the rescue!



Tucker just adores Cousin Clay!

The Pierce family shots were not so great this year....

Momo and Papaw with the grandbabies.

Momo and her 3 grandkids!

Macy just loves Cousin Clay!

"I Believe."

Miss Macy with Aunt Kim.

Silly Uncle Jeff.

Making a snowflake ornament with Cousin Clay!

So proud!

Christmas Portraits

Yesterday we had pictures taken at Portrait Innovations. The family photo came out fairly decent, there are some cute ones of the kids together, and several sassy shots of Miss Macy. We didn't get nearly as many of Tucker this time around, but that's okay since I'm really pleased with how the recent Bludoor Studios pics turned out. All in all, we are happy with the photos, and now have a large family portrait to display on our fireplace mantle! These photos aren't high resolution, so the quality isn't the greatest. Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season!