Christmas 2013

We started off Christmas Eve morning as restful as possible.  We knew we had a big few days coming so we wanted to make sure Carter got a good morning nap.  

We began Christmas Eve at my step-grandparent's house.  Juju & PawPaw have a Christmas Eve anniversary, so they always have a steak dinner for the family and exchange gifts that night.  However, we also have Brent's Smith grandparent's that night, so we just had to go by early.  We opened gifts from them and ate a few appetizers while hanging out with the family for a bit.  My step-family feels more like my family than most of my "blood" family, so I hate having to miss Christmas with them!

My pretty little sister wanted a picture with little guy while we were there, but he wasn't in the mood of course!

This is the best family picture we could come up with.  Carter was still pretty irritable with his teeth/ears or whatever it is he is hurting from.  

Then we headed to the Smith Christmas.  There are several cousins there...Avary is 2 1/2 and has a new sister Aniston who was only 2 weeks old and then there is Brayden who is 7 months.  Christmas with the 4 kiddos this year was lots of fun.  

Next we headed to "midnight" Mass...which is actually at 10PM.  Our only other choice was going at 5PM when church is incredibly full and you have to get there 30-45 minutes early just to get a seat!  Instead of trying to make it through almost 2 hours of church, we decided to just go late at night when Carter may or may not sleep through it.  Of course, he didn't sleep, but he did really good considering it was way past his bedtime.  We were able to sit with my family, so we had lots of help entertaining him.

After church, little man went right to bed.  This is when Brent realized he left the video camera at his grandparents (30 minutes away) and he was so upset with himself.  He was going to drive over there to get it and back at midnight! I wouldn't let him and we ended up just getting it on video on my phone.

Christmas morning, Carter woke up a little after 7.  Santa brought him a kitchen and a shopping cart!  

Then we opened our stockings and Brent and I opened gifts from one another.

Santa also brought Carter a magnet set for the refrigerator. Santa was really searching for ANYTHING to keep Carter out of his momma's hair while she cooks supper! :) 

My mom, step-dad, and sisters came over after an hour or so to exchange gifts between us and to see what Santa brought.  They brought Carter his biggest gift yet, a little garage house with lots of ramps and fun boy stuff!  My mom was going to get Carter a house, and my step-dad told her he was getting this garage instead because it's for boys! :) 

The garage is probably Carter's favorite.  So far, he is only going in and out the door over and over.  Eventually he will figure out all of the ramps and things.  Until it gets warmer, this thing is staying in my kitchen to keep little guy busy.  

After we all exchanged gifts, we made a yummy breakfast.  Then we laid little guy down for a good nap.  When he woke up, we went to Brent's grandma McIntosh's house for that side family Christmas. Brent's mom, dad, and sister Kara came home with us afterwards to check out what Santa brought.

Then Carter caught another nap and it was off to my Dad and Step-Mom's house for Christmas with them.  We had some yummy wings and fries for dinner and then opened gifts.  

This was after our last Christmas gathering at my Dad's.  Little man had enough of Christmas...as did Mommy & Daddy!!  Christmas with us will wear anyone out.

Brent took off the next day to relax and help us find a home for all the toys and gifts we received.  Carter has been playing his little heart out!

Carter got this drum and instrument set from Brent's aunt and uncle.  It may turn out to be the most annoying thing ever, but he LOVES it and it's all that matters! :)

Then yesterday, Carter & I ran to town to look for a recliner and we found one!  Carter loves it!

I enjoyed my lazy day with little guy so much yesterday that I am taking a couple more on Monday and Tuesday, so I don't have to go back to work until the 2nd!  I'm so excited that we are going to get a little more time together before tax season starts.