{insert witty christmas title here}

trusting everyone had a wonderful and restful holiday season.  restful and holiday.  that almost made me giggle.  we are still in the holiday season here.  that sounds better than saying recovery, right? taking it slow.  as possible.  enjoying the christmas lights.  still.  easing into routine.

our festivities looked a lil' bit like this...

cookies {oatmeal chocolate chip, to be exact} were made for christmas-light-ridin' and santa. 

it's all fun and games till gracie takes a pic of mom, playing with the new lens.  50mm.  lovin' it!  the lens, not the pic.  no make-up and a 3 second bun are musts for cooking, yes? ...yes?

keepin' it real.  you're welcome. 

the important thing is that they were proud of their creations.

santa realized santa wouldn't be able to unload someone's christmas present and have it wrapped under the tree before picking up a certain someone from the airport.  who could?  i mean... when two muscle men had to grunt while loading it in the sleigh.  wowzers.

a certain someone was texted {that's a word, right?} to say merry christmas... and hoped a certain someone and their boss didn't have much luggage to add to the vehicle.

he loved the toolbox!  yay.  now it's time to finish organizing that garage.  fun... sarcasm.  check.

a sibling christmas eve gift exchange is a much anticipated tradition.  nator received the 3 in 1 cabin legos.  gracie, a stuffed pinkie pie... which resulted in a happy-hug-tackle. chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast may need to become a yearly tradition.

the girls gasped with excitement at their much coveted {and retired} american girl dolls.  nator received samantha and kirsten {thanks to mama finding a few great deals on ebay over the summer}, and gracie received felicity and elizabeth.



we cleared away {most of} the mess and started our road-trip.
arriving at granny's, just in time to share christmas evening with 19 total.  roger that.  then we met the rest of the fam further down the bayou.

a little time with family...

distance makes it a challenge to stay close.  sometimes, i really don't like that part... but the kiddos warmed up to each other again, just fine.

before we left louisiana, we watched brees set a new record.  woot.  {if you can't beat 'em, join 'em, right?  i'm starting to get into this football thing.  maybe.}  gracie's favorite part was watching granny get excited, raising her voice {kicking a leg or two} at the action on tv.  granny loves football.  just a little. ;)

i'm signing out of this novel now.  maybe by the time february rolls around, i'll have you up to date with january.  and christmas decorations will be down.  one can hope.