I love being part of two families! We are so blessed be able to spend time with both the Leeper side and the Amador side during each holiday. But Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without spending Christmas morning at my parents' house! When I was a kid my sister and I used to wake each other up and run downstairs to see what Santa brought us during the night. Since my sister isn't able to come home each Christmas these days and since so much has changed now that we're older, I'm holding onto every other Christmas tradition I still can!
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My mom's Christmas tree full of fun family memories
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| Family stockings all hung in a row |
One tradition we've still been able to keep over the years is having Monkey Bread for breakfast! So yummy! But the tradition has changed a bit from my childhood... now I'm helping to make it! =)
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| Making Monkey Bread in my PJs |
As a 'rule' the 'kids' have to wear pajamas on Christmas morning! I think I will always open my presents from Santa in my pajamas (and no, I don't plan on outgrowing Santa either)! Miguel's pajamas were extra special this year! Miguel's brother, Juan, gave him some Mario pajama pants and matching Mario shirt for Christmas and Miguel has worn them every night since. No seriously. Every. Night. Since. =)
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| Awesome. Just so awesome. |
After we open our stockings we take turns opening our gifts to each other while we snack on Monkey Bread and sip our coffee. Miguel and I gave my mom a season of Glee and a keyboard/docking station for her iPad. We gave my dad some sound eliminating headphones and I made him a book telling him why he is my hero.
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| Yay for Glee! |
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| Miguel showing my mom how to use the iPad thing we got her... I say "we got her" but of course Miguel picked it out! |
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| Dad testing out his headphones |
My parents are so generous! Some of our favorite gifts included a Keurig coffee maker and some tools for Miguel! But hands down the best gift given and the best reaction of this whole Christmas came when Miguel opened a gift from my parents. During our family vacation this summer Miguel started reading an autobiography by Eisenhower that was in the house we rented. We teased Miguel the whole week we were in Montana because that book went everywhere with us. It was really cute. Like a little kid and his blankie. Miguel was so sad to have to leave it behind when we came home to Savannah. Well my mom remembered that book and purchased a copy for Miguel. He was so genuinely surprised and pleased. It was so fun to see how happy Miguel was when he opened the book! Especially since he's not one to really show much emotion when he opens gifts. He even hugged it!
The only gift I got a picture with was a surprise gift that my best friend, Sarah, left for me under the tree. She thoughtfully gave me a cupcake holder and I can't wait to use it the next time we entertain!
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| Thanks, Sarah!!! |
After we open gifts from each other we clean up a bit, change out of our PJs and get everything ready for Christmas supper. Which of course, in the South, means eating around 2 PM. Though this year I cannot take any of the credit for getting supper ready. I completely passed out in a wonderful, deep nap until we ate. I was extremely exhausted from our late Christmas Eve celebrations from the night before at the Amadors (blog post coming soon). So snaps to my talented mother. She always makes such beautiful table settings and meals.
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| My beautiful mom and our yummy Christmas supper. |
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| Thanks, Gramma, for the yummy deviled eggs... wouldn't be a family holiday without them |
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| Yay for Christmas plates and sparkly chargers! |
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| My Uncle Peter, Gramma, Mom, Linda, Daddy, and Miguel |
One of the BEST Christmas traditions we have is signing the table cloth each year. We sign our names, sometimes write a little something that marks that year as special, and date it. I love looking back and seeing who dined each year and the momentous occasions that have come and gone.
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| Four very special signatures were missing this year =( |
After eating we exchange more gifts while we digest so we can eat some delicious desserts. My Uncle Peter and Linda give the most thoughtful and yummy gifts! So wonderful that we don't want to share with each other. My Grandma was especially unwilling to share her homemade cheese straws!
Of course we badly missed my sister, Sarah, and brother-in-law, Jared!!! It just isn't the same without them! I'm so thankful for all the technology we have access to these days because we were still able to chat with them via the internet. Not even close to having them here though! We got to see Baby Ray's nursery and their kitties, Milo (who is 17 lbs!) and Busby (who was less than pleased to be wearing holiday antlers) ;)
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| Hi, Sarah! |
You know you had a satisfying Christmas when you find this on the couch after everyone else has left and things have been put away:
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| Night, night, Miguel. |
As far as the dogs, Luke's Christmas was pretty much the same as
last years, Bailey participated in opening gifts, and Emma and Jack were locked up in our room just to lessen the chaos! But every dog got a Christmas, candy cane bone in the end!
Love, love, love Christmas at my parent's! This Christmas holiday was just way too short, that is my only complaint! Thanks Mom and Dad for always making it so special!
