Daniel's first Christmas

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve, we attended church with family and friends - it was a great service. Then we went back to our house for Chinese food (a tradition started a few years ago) and gifts with Zack's parents & brother. The boys got some great gifts, and then anxiously went to bed so that Santa would come.



Christmas Eve

Once Zack and I finally made it to bed, I started feeling a little nauseous. I fell asleep, but woke up at 2:00 AM, VERY sick. I was miserable. I've never been sick like this at Christmas - not fun.

Zack finally got tired of waiting on the boys to wake up, so he woke them up around 7:30. We all went downstairs, and I sat at a distance and watched as they enjoyed exploring the gifts that had been left around the tree.



Christmas Morning



After a couple of hours of playing, we made our way to Zack's parents' for brunch. We hung out and watched Christmas movies while the boys played, then went back home.

My family was supposed to come that evening for gifts and dinner. But Georgia was in for its first real White Christmas since 1882, so everyone decided to wait a day to come.



Snow Fun!

I was still feeling horrible, but was super disappointed, particularly for the boys. So my mom & stepdad drove up before the roads got bad, and spent the night with us.

By Sunday, I was much better. The boys enjoyed playing in the snow for a while, and that afternoon my family gathered to celebrate Christmas - a day late, but a great celebration!

Daniel did well with his first Christmas. He was a bit overwhelmed on Christmas Eve. At first, he would pick up a wrapped gift and just look at it. He would try to carefully remove the paper without ripping it. But with a little help - and some modeling by a very skilled older brother - he was soon throwing paper everywhere like everyone else! We kept things pretty simple in the way of gifts this year. Both boys already have more than they could ever play with. Neither had any major request. And we are trying to find ways to simplify. But they both seemed to be thrilled with and grateful for all that they received.



Christmas Eve at Cross Pointe



Christmas Eve - Josh & Savannah with all the "Littles"



Josh with Savannah & her family



The Dove family on Christmas Eve



The boys with Uncle Josh & Aunt Savannah