Everson's First Christmas!

Christmas Eve we spent in the same tradition that we have had for 27 years. After taking the kids to the doctor and letting them sleep the entire afternoon, we all got dressed and headed over to GG Jane's for snacks (which is usually meatball sandwiches, but Uncle Bob's family would be in town over the weekend, so they decided to wait til they were all in town) and presents. This year, we drew names for "secret santa" although, in our family, nothing ends up being a secret! Nathan would be working the night that we would be doing secret santa next week, so he brought Jackson's gift for him to open!

Nathan had asked me if there was anything that Jackson needed/wanted for our $25.00 limit. I told him this is just a really fun age to go an wonder Toys R Us and find something that you would think was cool and buy it! So he did!! And these RC Police Car and Mustang were perfect (also considering Nathan is now a Clear Lake Police Officer!) Although I'm not sure at this point who had more fun with them, Jackson, or the rest of the "boys" in the family (including, but not limited to: Nathan, Uncle Russ, Dad, Daddy-O, or Wade!)

Hurry, guys! I wanna play with those 'mote control cars!

All the kids opened their gifts from GG Jane at her house. Jackson got a great kids Sports game (like a Wii for 3 year olds) and when he opened the box, he yelled, "OH!! It's what I WANTED!" And we all just about died, because when I was his age, I would yell, "OH!! It's what I've always wanted!!" Yes, there is video proof of this and yes, it's really annoying! HA! But when Jackson said it, it was super cute! :) He also got some Legos and more R/C cars!

Everson also opened his secret santa gift from Ashley--some adorable outfits! Which, he needed b/c he is just growing like a weed!

He also got an Exersaucer from GG Jane! We had the Jumperoo for Jackson, and I didn't have room at the old house for both the Jumperoo and an Excersaucer in my living room. So, now we have both! We just recently put it together and he LOVES it! More about that later....




After GG's, our family headed to the 4:30 Children's Mass at St. Mary's. It was great! Jackson sat quietly and ate cough drops (ahem! too many, I think!) and watched the kids sing and act out the live nativity scene. It was great!

After mass, we finished up the night at Memaw's house. There, our immediate family exchanged gifts. When I was growing up, we waited and did this AFTER Santa came, but we don't like there anymore, so we do it the night before, so that MY kids have the entire day to play with Santa toys!

We had a BLAST opening gifts! Jackson was a hoot!! We first got the boys changed into their matching Christmas jammies--something that Stacey's kids will someday participate in as well--and did some pictures under the tree with all the presents! Everson did very well being help by his big brother. He didn't scream, he only grimaced a time or two! Jackson did pretty well sitting for 1.2 seconds for photos--he was too excited!!












Then on the presents! Jackson had some great one liners, and that's what I'm going to post here:

We let Aunt Stacey open her gift from us first. Why? Because loud mouth Jackson was chomping at the bit to TELL her what we got her! The SECOND she ripped the first part of the paper, he yelled "IT'S A CROCKPOT!! WE GOT YOU A CROCKPOT!" *first time I nearly peed my pants!*

Then, mom let Jackson open one of his big gifts. As he was opening it, he said "Yup! I was right. It's a box." And walked off to the next gift! HA! *second time I nearly peed my pants!*

Next, Adam and I let Jackson open his gift from "us". I say "us" b/c Adam had wanted to get Jackson something that wasn't from Santa. "Santa" had already done all the Christmas shopping. For everyone. And wrapped it all. For everyone. Alone. And then, Daddy-O asked, "what did we get Jackson?" Hmmmm....I got him LOTS of stuff. Well, he took that in his own way, and went out to buy him something HIMSELF. Fine! Act like you're 12. And so he did! He came home with a wrapped box. Why was it wrapped? Oh, b/c he took it over to my mom's house and had her wrap it! Yup! Okay, I'm done with the ranting!

So Jackson goes to open this BIG box. I have no idea what's in it. Once it's open, Mom and I both say, "OH LOOK! Daddy-O got you Napkins!! That was super nice of him!" Jackson looks at me, looks at mom, and puts his head down. We say nothing. I tell him, "Go tell Daddy-O thank you!" He walks over, gives Adam a big hug, and drags out, "umhmmm....thank you Daddy-O. But....why'd did you get me napkins?!" Kinda politely, but kinda disappointed! Adam says, "We're just kidding, rip open that box!" And so he does....and then scream, with an arm pump: "IT'S A SCOOO--OOOO-TER!!" We had just been at our neighborhood block party, and one of the older boys there had one, and Jackson rode it the entire time! I had thought it was something we would get him for his birthday, but who am I to say! Jackson LOVED it!! :) *third time I nearly peed my pants!*

This was when he was saying "Scoo-ooo-ter!" with the arm pump...look how his feet are off the ground!! Soo excited!! :)

So then it was Everson's turn to open his gifts. He got some great little things, and then Jackson wanted him to open the gift that HE got him. Mom had taken Jackson out a few weeks back and let him pick out what he wanted for each of us, and had him pay for it all with his own money. He collects money whenever he can. He loves getting $1.00 and lotto tickets, and change, and he keeps it all his wallet (one of Dad's old ones). I was with them when he paid for Adam's gift, and he looked up at MeMaw while she was helping him count, and he said, sadly, "Is she gonna take all my money?" No honey, you still have $45.00 in that wallet. Chill.

I let Jackson wrap Everson's gift all by himself. They had been practicing wrapping in school, and he was so proud to show me. Although, the gift ended up being nearly ALL TAPE, it was wrapped with love! As Jackson is opening the gift for Ev (helping) he says, "Ahhh! It's what he wanted his whole life!" So sweet! But, I reacted by again, nearly peeing myself. Hey, I have a weak bladder after having this second baby! Give me a break!

Jackson cracks me up!!

Finally, Jackson opens his last gift from PaPaw. A remote control Jeep that goes off road. And the entire time he's opening it, he is chanting: "OH...MY....GOSH...OH...MY....GOSH....Wow....Oh my gosh!"

Ohhhhh! BBQ stuff!!

Very Niiiccee!

The boys and their matching slippers!

Apparently my mom loved the purse I got her!

All tuckered out from all those presents!

The aftermath....

He had a great Christmas Eve. But after all that, and being sick, he was a tired boy! Mom and Stacey came home with me and Everson and Jackson to get the boys to bed, while Daddy-O and Papaw loaded up the rest of our gifts (even the Santa ones) and brought them over about an hour later. When we got home, we sprinkled Reindeer dust on the yard, and put out Milk and Dum Dums (how did I have NO cookies in my house? None! They were all at Memaw's I guess!) We were all in bed by 11:00pm, the rest of the family sent home, and ready to fall asleep, when Everson became VERY fussy and uncomfortable. He was very weazy and full of gas. It was the longest night ever. We took turns staying awake and having him sleep on our chest because we couldn't lay him down. LONG LONG night....