Sunday, January 2, 2011

Christmas at Home


As much as I love where we are living at the moment, Southern Ca. will always be my home. I'm glad I live so close that I can come visit whenever I want to. We packed up all the presents and headed down south a couple days before Christmas.
It rained a little but for the most part it was sunny and beautiful.
Here are some highlights of the trip, hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and spent it with those you love most.

I found this on the table. To say the kids were excited about their presents was an understatement.

I don't know how we packed all this in our car.

This is a family heirloom my dad made. Every Christmas we would sit on my parents bed while my dad read the Christmas story, usually with a candle lit. This year Cammie wanted to read the story. She did great, it took a little longer but that made it even sweeter.



Ok, Katie turned Drew into and even more spoiled child than she already was. She is going to be a wonderful mom but her kids will be spoiled brats. Kate can't say no. Haha Just kidding, she'll put the smack down on when she needs to.
Thanks for sending me home with a Diva, Kate!

Another fun tradition that we've done since I was a child was to pin up a ribbon in the hallway. After we read the story we would line up and Mom would yell, "Go" and watch out!!!! It's like a herd of animals!


Katie took charge of handing out presents. It always starts so calm and organized and then quickly turns into a frenzy. It's so funny.

No, I did not tell this child to pose. She should be a pageant queen or self-made celebrity. I can just see her now trying to attract papparazzi like Paris Hilton or Kim Kardashian. Her new fragrance will be coming out soon, look out!

This game is the bomb!!! Bailey already had great dancing skills but now he gets points for his moves. I love this game. I look totally white but I have so much fun!

Yay! Our after Thanksgiving bargin hunting paid off.
She loved her new video camera.

Funny story about this present, Drew found this in my closet and I lied to her and said it was for her friend Bella. She gave me the saddest face and said, "but Mom, I don't have one of these". I couldn't wait to give it to her. She was sooo excited it was for her and not Bella. Lying is bad by the way, I only do it around Christmas time if someone guesses what Santa got them.


I got really spoiled. I won't brag but my husband is the best. Nuff said. :)


I was so beyond thrilled that my Grandparents came for Christmas. They have both been through the ringer health wise lately and I have to say that they both have a lot of inner strength and determination. My Grandma had breast cancer recently and my Grandpa had some health scares as well. Their marriage is one that I truly admire. They love each other so much. It's evident. I love you both soooo much!!!

Drew fell in love with my Grandma's dog, Tonner. They had so much fun together.


Grandma Mullen, Tonner and the kiddos.

Papa and kids. It was so good to see Dad. Wish we had more time together.

Papa's loft. Drew posing it up again.

Happy 25th Wedding Anniversary Dave and Row!
Lucilles BBQ...Yummy!

Josh and Bailey, I can't believe how fast these kids are growing up. Such handsome boys!

Bring on the New Year!!!!!!
2011...Can't Wait!!!!

1 comment:

Lib said...

awesome photos Carly! Tess is gonna want to play with Drew's new doll set... ;)

Yep, and Tess found not just one Christmas present early but ALL OF THEM! And I didn't even know that she'd found them until I went into her closet and saw them all hoarded in there! I was FUMING! I tried to lie and tell her they weren't for her, but she saw right through my tactics.

She was still stoked to open her presents, but I was bummed I didn't get to see that first flash of surprise on her face as she opened them Christmas morning :( Oh, well, maybe next year. From now on Chris is in charge of hiding the presents.

Glad y'all had fun in SoCal--what a blessing that your fam is so close by!