The Many Days/Calories of Christmas

We had a very Merry Christmas this year! It was so much fun now that Evan somewhat understands the birth of Jesus and Santa. This is a long post chronicling our many celebrations. You will notice our huge meals started very early this year!

12/20: King Ranch Casserole and Christmas with my mom's side of the family

Here is a picture of most of the cousins. Evan loved playing with Cody, the older boy.

12/21: Chuy's Fajitas, to-go, and Christmas with my dad's side of the family

We played our traditional dice game and Rob and I were most unlucky this year!

12/24: Taco Soup with my parents/cousin Meghan at our house and too many Christmas cookies!

We went to the Christmas Eve service at my parent's church. There is no childcare so Evan was with us. I was prepared with an organic sucker just in case. We definitely needed the sucker. Evan was very entertaining. He doesn't know how to use a soft voice. So, he narrated much of the service. When it was time for the advent candle lighting, he said, "Happy Birthday," very loud. He held his own candle (lit) during Silent Night and I stood there ready to catch it the whole time. He even sang Silent Night so loud the people behind us were laughing. At the end, the pastor said, "Go and let your light shine." Evan yelled, "Bye," right away, while it was still quiet in the sanctuary. We made it though the service but we definitely distracted some people in the process.
Later, we ate dinner at our house and prepared a cookie plate for Santa. Evan helped me make the cookies the day before. He loved it! You can see he has taken a cookie for himelf, too.

12/25: The first time in his life Evan was too distracted to eat breakfast right away and Christmas Morning Surprises!

Santa brought Evan a guitar

and the movie Shrek 2 (my sis game him Shrek the Third so now the set is complete)

and a treehouse

and a new comfy chair so we can retire the one you see in the back! He went from one present to the next and just loved it. We had so much fun watching him!

12/25 3 hours later: Traditional Christmas Brunch (apricot strudel, egg casserole, pigs-in-a-blanket and a spread of Christmas desserts) and Presents at DeDe and Poppy's

Here, Evan just opened a piano from my parents. He loves it!

12/25 in the evening: Brisket and side dishes plus more Christmas desserts

Evan is enjoying some pre-dinner dancing with Poppy!

We finally posed for a family Christmas picture

12/26: Leftovers and taking down Christmas decor (for some reason, I want it down right away!)
12/27: White Bean Chili, too many chocolate/pretzel treats and Christmas with Rob's family in Houston

Evan had so much fun playing with his cousin, Grant.

He loved playing with Grandma and Grandpa too.

Grandma and Grandpa gave Evan and Grant a sand and water table. Evan had a great time playing and getting messy!
Alissa and Dean have 2 fun swing sets in their backyard. Evan wanted Grandpa to push him in this swing. Rob would try to push him and Evan would say, "No, Grandpa's turn."

Drew was just hanging out watching the crazy boys play!

Clearly, it's time for us to exercise!

We hope you had a wonderful Christmas, too!