We headed to Morganton on the Saturday before Christmas to spend the weekend with Zack's side of the family. We spent Saturday with the Cantrells, Stanwoods and Houstons. We had our annual Cantrell Christmas lunch with a "Dirty Santa" game to follow. I came home with some games for the kids and Zack took home a Christmas cup and $20! Zander somehow even got a pair of wireless earbuds since there were a couple extra gifts in the mix. We love spending the evening at Grannie's house. It is fun to have the cousins together. Grannie got the boys new fishing rods and the family a tackle box for some family fun adventures in the future! She even got the parents fishing rods too! Aunt A and Uncle Jay got the boys Nerf guns which have been pretty entertaining while we have been home! In the afternoon while Henry took a nap, we went to the Catawba Meadows Park to explore and get some little boy energy out before the evening. We even went by my parents' and grandparents' old houses to see what they looked like a few years since we have lived there! In the evening, we loaded up the car and went to see the J. Iverson Riddle Center (formally the Western Carolina Center) lights. It was a great first experience for the boys, looking at lights that Zack and I had looked out when we were younger.
Saturday night, during the gift giving and receiving part, I started to feel pretty terrible. I have been dealing with chronic sinusitis since July. This evening brought wheezing and it was hard for me to catch my breath. We decided to go to urgent care around 8:30 since I was pretty worried about how quickly I felt so terrible. Turns out, I'm still dealing with the same congestion, etc. that has been messing with me for months. On Sunday morning before heading to the Houstons to celebrate Christmas Part 2, I stopped to grab three new medications since mama can't take a sick day around the holidays! haha
We had the best time with the Houstons. The boys got a remote control motorcycle (Maddox) and bow and arrow set (Zander)..... both on their wish lists! Henry even got a Micky Mouse car! They also got some cute matching pajamas, slippers, and some clothes for the upcoming winter! We had some pretty yummy food and enjoyed watching the kids play with all their new toys!
The boys were pretty worn out from their first two days of celebrating Christmas. They both slept on our way home. We timed it to make it back for our church's candlelight service that evening. It was so special having both boys in the service with us. We pray they will always know the light of the world that came to us as a little baby.
"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." - John 8:12
On Monday, we had some pretty rainy weather so we enjoyed some indoor fun! I worked on cleaning the house and assembled some of the boys new toys so they would be entertained while I knocked out some of the household chores. We also painted some cookies and made cookies for Santa. I took Burke to his annual exam and made soup and sandwiches for lunch! I was feeling pretty productive with our day.
In the afternoon, we went to a local indoor jungle gym to get some of our additional excitement/energy out. We ate dinner at ChickFila and went grocery shopping for the week!! With getting so much done, I am looking forward to some relaxing days during the rest of our Christmas break!
We have fit in a couple naps already..... I loved cuddling with Maddox on Christmas Eve for a nap.
On Christmas Eve, we also tested out our new fishing gear. Zack caught a duck (and fortunately was able to get the hook out of its beak and release it back to the wild) and Maddox almost caught a fish. We will still be working on our patience with this sport. Both boys enjoyed casting the line and reeling it back in!
On Christmas Eve, we went over to Grammy and Grandpa's house for some tailgating type food and to watch the Polar Express. The adults open presents on Christmas Eve so Christmas morning is all about the kiddos. Grandpa and Aunt Lindsey helped Zander read an advent calendar to Emerson and Maddox.
Santa did come to the Houstons on Christmas morning! He brought a train set for Maddox and a Hot Wheels crash set for Zander. Fortunately, both boys are doing a great job sharing (so far)! I had to go get 6 D batteries (with Grammy's help) at around 10:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve because Santa's elves didn't read the fine print and batteries were not included! It made for a Christmas Eve adventure I won't forget!
Christmas morning was at our house. Great Grandma, Grammy, Grandpa and the Kennedys arrived for breakfast after the boys saw what Santa had brought. I loved cuddling my new nephew while the cousins played with their toys. Grammy and Grandpa got Zander a Parcheesi board game he loves and got Maddox a new Hot Wheels track! The boys also got new jackets and some new clothes since they keep growing so fast! We got the boys their traditional four gifts (
want-skateboard (Z), pogo stick (M),
need- shoes (Z/M),
wear- new pants (Z/M), and
read- Precious Moments bible (Z) and "Little Kids First Big Book of Why" (M). After everyone left, I actually took down all the indoor Christmas decorations and we went for a long bike ride and to test out the new skateboards that Zack and Zander received. We didn't take any naps but enjoyed a great day with family. We ate dinner at Grammy and Grandpa's later that evening. It was an early bedtime after an eventful few days! Zander read Luke 2 to our family from his new bible (he only needed help with a couple words) as we were cuddled up ready for bed. He went to bed reading from his new bible after he had been tucked in for the night.
Grandpa was definitely missed on Christmas. This will be the first Christmas we didn't spend with him on earth. I hope he was able to participate in a pretty spectacular birthday party in heaven! Here are some pictures from recent Christmas gatherings with him.
Merry Christmas from the Houstons!!
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace". - Isaiah 9:6
Happy Birthday Jesus!
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