Christmas 2013

Christmas Eve = family dinner with Mom's side of the family at Santa Fe (one of few places open Christmas Eve), then we all went back to Rach's to open presents!  It was a hassle to get a table all together, but thanks to Mom, it all worked out! :)  After opening presents at Rach's and playing with the kids a bit, we came back home and ate chocolate cake, and I read for a bit before bed.  All things considered, 2013 is ending on a good note.  This has been the best Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas I've had in a while!!

 Me and Mini-Miss on her first Christmas Eve!  Please note her adorable snowman outfit. :)

And her stylish hot pink baby Tom's - precious!! :)

Jace-man loves his "Grandad!"  (Really his great-grandad, but he calls him "Grandad" and Dad "grandpa," which he pronounces "Bampaw." lol)

Pretending to golf at Santa Fe!  I love Rach and Grandad's smiles in the background. :)

His expression here = awesomeness.  And his mouth is covered in chocolate and he's wearing Grandad's cap - all funny! :)

T-man and Carter Lee in their awesome new Christmas hats from Aunt Lindsey (you squeeze them and the ears flap up)! ...That plus "millions and millions of candies" was my present for them! :)

The Parrish Fam on Christmas Eve 2013!

Jace and his great-grandparents, all looking so happy! :)

Rach screamed while reading a book to him and he loved it, so screaming and trying to get his mom to scream is another favorite thing of his right now. lol  That's what's happening here, as the rest of us were trying hard to get him to smile. :)  I do love them both in their cozy cuddly "Christmas jammies!"

Grandpa and the kids (sporting his awesome rainbow loom bracelets from T&C - I got one too - best present ever)! =)

Now we're transitioning to Christmas Day!!

Here's Missy K on her first Christmas morning, just being a little presh!

Rach said she's always really happy in the mornings - love it. :)

We had a tasty pancakes and biscuits breakfast at the Parrishes this morning, and Rach gave me a card that I loved!  Then we went to see Grudge Match at Penn with Charlene (and ran into the Wallaces there - yay)!  Then we hung out at home for a bit before going to the Peavler's at 5:30 for the big family Christmas dinner!

Georgia, Nancy, and Charlene getting things ready in the kitchen.  

They were all very excited to hear about my puppies! :)

The best sugar cookies everrrr (made by Georgia)!  =)

Rach and Dad looking back through Nancy's old Christmas scrapbooks (not even a posed candid - it's really candid, and I love it)!

Ahh, memories of the braces years - yikes! lol

Bubby Jace and "Mamaw!"  Love this one too!! :)

(Jace was sick earlier and seemed to be getting sick again through the night :( so Rach & Co. ended up leaving right after dinner.)

Christmas dinner - the rolls, potatoes, and Mom's broccoli-cheese casserole were my favorite things, naturally!!  (Nancy got KFC chicken strips yesterday to heat up for Rach and I bc she knew we wouldn't eat ham... so nice!)

Black and white sister pic (since I didn't dress in Christmasy colors)! =)

I sat by Kristin at dinner and we talked a bit about Anthony and about her current pregnancy.  She asked if I might be willing to take maternity pictures for her in a few months, and I felt honored by that request.  She also said that she really appreciated my cards and bringing him up and letting them know Anthony has not been forgotten.  Even with all the fun and food and merriment surrounding us, that quiet conversation was probably my favorite part of the night.

So that's the recap. :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!