Christmas Night at the Bryans'

After we wrapped things up at the Calvert Christmas we headed to Jason's parents home for their family Christmas. We had a slight change in plans. Sometime during the night I was more than likely bit by a spider on my ring finger. So we dropped Sydney off at Grandmomma Bryans and her Pawpaw Bryans with no hair so she could play with the kids.  And yes, that is how Sydney keeps her two Pawpaws straight.  She calls Buddy, "Pawpaw with no hair."  I'm glad he thinks its cute.

Here is my finger Christmas morning and by that evening I had some nice red streaks going down my hand and my arm was feeling rather tingly. The ER sent us home with a nice array of antibiotic therapy and creams. Brandon got a nice design made out of stitches to his right hand on Christmas as well, trying to stretch out the springs when he was putting the trampoline together for their kids. I think Santa should have put the trampoline together or rounded up his elves if he was too busy delivering presents to other boys and girls.

                                                     

        Brandon showing Syd his stitches.

We finally made it to the Bryans' around 7 and all the kids were more than ready to open gifts. We got all the couples hardcover books from Shutterfly that are loaded with pictures of Jason from his deployment along with some military quotes and captions. We have so many pictures Jason took and this could not be a better way to display some of them for his family. Otherwise, it would just be pictures and no one but Jason would know where and what they represented.

                                           

Deborah looking at the memory book

Syd with her new baby

Kisses for Baby

Sydney ever so "gently" trying to pose Brianna's face

Sydney already taking pictures like her picture happy mom.

Sydney loves Jeremiah like she loves Logan

...and they all fell down

Sydney's dramatic expressions

And then Jason jumped in...

And Brandon joined his brother. Poor Jeremiah.

Sydney picked out these Superman Underoos especially for her Uncle Brandon knowing his love for Superman. We just hope for his kids' sake they don't find him running around at night in them with a cape wrapped around his neck!

My most favorite picture of the night is the "Grandkids Picture." As you can tell it turned out excellent.

Every child is in their own world. Kaitlyn looking at the new toys, Avery is drinking her water, you can't even see Ryleigh since Sydney's massive curls are pushing her back into the Christmas tree, Brianna is upset because she just wants her camera back, and Jeremiah is just trying to listen to his mom. The picture did work out but my camera was out of focus because I was too busy laughing at this picture.

All in all we had a Very Merry Christmas!

Christmas Morning and Christmas Day at the Calvert's

Sydney must have a been a good girl this year, because Santa left this for her. She was so suprised when she saw her new car. 

Already playing "Drive Through" in her new ride

She hasn't got out of it since Christmas. I think she would sleep in it if we let her.

For Christmas this year we went to the Calvert's home druing the day. We have never had Christmas at their house and the change was nice. My mom's youngest brother, wife, and three boys from Colorado were there as well. It was great to see everyone all together, even it was just for one day.

The Calvert's -Norma and David

The Nichols Family

The Nectoux's

The Golden's

Mom and Dad

And just where is our picture?  Well, it just did not work out.  Sydney had the softest Dora snuggie/blanket Valerie and Todd gave her for Christmas.  She loved it so much she immediately put it on. I took it off for the picture which was a big mistake and resulted in a massive breakdown.  So no cute picture of us.

The Siblings

Ashley, Norma Kay, Valerie, Sharon, Michael

The three oldest. Mom is the oldest of all 5.

Diane, Ash, and Chris

Chris, Me, Mom

Each year we do a Chinese Gift Exchange with my family for the adults. We ended up a Starbucks giftset and an air matress. We were pleased.

Logan and Sydney. She really loves him a lot. He was trying to play Catch Phrase with everyone else but Sydney kept sitting in his lap.  He would move her over and she would find her way right back.

The Boys

What's a family gathering without a picture of the girls.  We always have to take one. It was another great Christmas gathering. We left around 4 in the afternoon headed for Christmas #3.

Christmas Eve

Last year Jason was celebrating Christmas in Iraq, I worked, and Sydney was with my parents, so this Christmas was really special.  We were able to celebrate Christmas as a family. On my side of the family we have always opened presents on Christmas Eve.  Mom and Dad came over, we ate some fabulous chicken fajitas and munched on guacamole and queso.  Later that night our good friend Amy brought over 3 dozen homemade tamales.  Thank goodness Mom and Dad had already gone home because Jason and I are serious about tamales and we do not share well.  Thank you Amy!

Dad read Sydney The Night Before Christmas since we finally took her to see Santa just at Grapevine Mills versus North Park. Acutally Jason did while I was at work. Please note he fixed her hair into the mullet type style. Sydney wasn't so sure of Santa but at least this year she didn't scream and cry!

Of course Mom had to get in the picture too.

Jason and Dad got the same gift I picked up early in morning on Black Friday.

Sydney picked out this present for me all by herself.

Mom's favorite present was her Calendar with tons of pictures taken over the last year.

Mom and Dad found Jason a Punisher Comic Book.  I don't get it but he has always loved Punisher and Brandon has always loved Superman.  We got Brandon a "special" Superman present as well.

Mom, Me, Dad

Dad is still recovering from his knee surgery and since he likes to read, we thought what a better way to pass time off from work than a 2,000 page book.  Hope you like it Dad!

The night ended with making cookies for Santa and putting on matching PJ's. It was such a good day.