A Belated Christmas Blog from One of "Those" People

The reason for me just now posting my Christmas blog is pretty much the same reason that I still have Christmas lights up on my house. Yes - we are THOSE people. The ones that I swore we would never be. The ones I turned my nose up when I drove past their houses. The ones who are inching up on February with Christmas decorations lingering. But there has been back to work stress and getting back into the routine of things, and a LONG horrid week of strep throat for Carsie, and then lots of snow and ice.... You see, my husband is accident prone like you would not believe. There is simply no way I am putting him on a ladder anywhere close to ice. ;o)

This year we spent Christmas in Texas again with Marty's family. My friend Kate and I are always talking about our kids, and we often talk about Carsyn's quirks, which she refers to as Carsyn-isms. One of those "isms" is that she doesn't do new people or new situations very well. Honestly - it frustrates me - like on this trip when she spent an entire week with people who love her and are her family - and never seemed to really warm up to anyone. But I have to remind myself that this is who God made her, and no stressing or worrying or forcing is going to change that. She will show love in her own way when she is old enough to understand it.

I mean - does this even need explanation? This is only posted as proof that my sweet, beautiful baby girl is quite a handful when she chooses to be...

Another Carsyn-ism is that she is strong willed like nobody's business. Girl sets her mind set on something, and it may as well be the law because she is not giving in. Exhibit A is above. Mimmy had a pack and play all set up for her.... soft, fluffy blankets, aquarium attached, fan plugged in for white noise. Instead, Carsyn hurdled herself out of the playpen shrieking and hollering. For the rest of the visit, Marty and I took turns sleeping with her majesty.

Mimmy makes Christmas cookies with the girls every year, and Camden always gets so excited about it. This year - Cam enjoyed it as usual, Mattie licked the icing off of every knife in every bowl prior to icing every cookie, and Carsyn wanted no part of it. She just observed.

This year, Mimmy found a Longhorn cookie cutter that we incorporated into the tradition. I love it! The perfect Texas Christmas cookie!

And just like every year, Cam picked her favorites to leave out for the man in the red suit. As you can see, the Longhorn made this year's cut!

Christmas morning was a lot of fun, and we were thankful that Mimmy and Papaw got to be a part of it...to see the excitement of Santa and watch the voracious tearing of wrapping paper.

Cam's big gift was her DSiXL, and she loved it. Spent the whole rest of the trip playing with it.

And as you would expect, she stopped to help her sister open her gifts, too.

So bug learned to accessorize with a little help from her big sister!

Carsyn's favorite gift was this tent. Meant to look like a tree trunk, it is adorable!

In fact, all the kids loved it. Cam and Mattie spent lots of time tucked away in the tent playing their DS. Those two are attached at the hip when we visit.

This is a picture of the big girls with their Mimmy. Mattie has a little bit of a tough time sharing her, but who can blame her? I used to be jealous with my Dad's mom, my Grandma Martha. Wanted her all to myself! And Sharon is a lot like her. Loving, patient, gentle...and always has a stash of your very favorite treats on hand when you visit.

And here is everyone - please do notice Little Mean's scowl. Marty says her face in this one pretty much sums up the trip.

Despite the never-ending car trip and Little Mean's commitment to not befriend anyone, we had such a great trip. No matter how old you are, there is always comfort in going home - back to your family, back to your roots.