Christmas Eve at Grandma Tapp's
We went to Utah for Christmas this year. In all the madness of packing up our stuff, our gifts and our snow chains, I took my camera but forgot the battery! All of my pictures are courtesy of Roxy...thus the reason for the delayed post.
We had our traditional Christmas Eve at my Grandma Tapp's house, complete with my mom's cheese potatoes (possibly my favorite food in the world) and a visit from the Big Guy himself.
Addyson wasn't so sure she trusted him.
My sweet Grandma (in the background with the dog) spoiled us rotten, as usual. All three of us got new pajamas. Addyson got a play kitchen and a cute stuffed turtle with a blanket inside. Brandon and I got a dutch oven for camping and new camping chairs.
We went back to my parent's house for Christmas Eve and my favorite part of Christmas....opening our "stocking" gifts with my family. We draw names and fill each other's "stockings" (even though there are usually way too many gifts to fit in a stocking so we don't bother trying). It's mass chaos and lots of wrapping paper flying. We got a new tent from my parents and lots of great stuff from Ty and Roxy. My mom surprised us with a nostalgic video we loved as kids-"Pee Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special." It was so fun to watch, laugh and wonder what the world ever saw in that creepy guy.
Christmas morning we got up and drove up to the in-law's house for the rest of the trip. Before we left, Addyson got to open her gifts from Santa! (I've decided it's impossible to get any pictures of a one year old looking at the camera. Sigh. Maybe next Christmas.)
I have to admit Christmas is a thousand times better as a parent. It was so fun to enjoy it with Addy, even though of course she didn't get it or care.
Me and Roxy...Our attempt to take our own picture!
The best part of the trip was just hanging out with the fam. We ate lots of great food, went to a movie, played games, and went shopping. I miss you guys!
Brandon and I didn't exchange gifts this year, but I told him I wanted a heartfelt letter as my gift. He really came through, with a letter that made me laugh and had me crying the ugly cry in the bathroom at my in-law's house. I hope they didn't hear me sobbing.
So, that's our holiday in a nutshell. Happy New Year!
6 comments:
Darling pics! I love the idea of exchanging letters...I may give that a try next year! I hope all is well.
I love the pic of you on Santa's lap, and that you did the ugly cry. Good idea on the letters--I will never remember that this was the year Tyler gave me a wheat grinder, but you will remember that letter forever.
C'mon Nikole,share just a little of the letter - puleeze! Like the funny part!
I am so glad that you updated your blog, I was dying to know how Christmas went for the Schaeffer clan. It looks like it was absolutely perfect. :)
For some reason, I missed 'til now that you updated. Looks like you had a great Christmas...love the letter idea. Christmas only gets better with kids!!
Yay! A blog update from Nikole! Life is back to normal...You didn't tell me about the letter from Brandon. Did your letter make HIM cry the ugly cry?
Christmas was fun but I am glad it is over.
Oh I am SO happy that you were able to be with your family in Utah for Christmas. That had to make it sooo amazing because there is nothing like spending time with family. Your pictures are so great and I agree, there is no way to get a 1 year old to look at the camera. It is an unbelievable pain in the butt and we have basically given up on it. Oh well ... I am glad to see that you had a Merry Christmas, maybe one of these days we'll be in town at the same time and can hang out one afternoon!
(PS The letter gift is the BEST idea I have ever heard ... You guys are sooo stinkin cute!)
Post a Comment