We got up and went to Church before heading to Hickory Ridge for lunch and Christmas with the Gibson side of the family.
We had dinner and Christmas with the Staggs that evening. Stratton and his cousin Archer had so much fun playing with their new toys!
We always have dinner on Christmas eve with the Wilson's. This year was really a lot of fun! It seems like Christmas time is the only time the entire family comes together, so it was really great seeing everyone!
Stratton & Grandma
Smiling with Grandpa
Cutting up with cuz Wilson
Stratton & Adrian
After dinner we had to lose the shirt. He got pie all over it trying to sneak oreo bonbons!
Present time!
Our family
Uncle Doug reading the night before Christmas!
We had Christmas with my parent's and Dillon and Brandye on Christmas eve morning. My mom has been so busy taking care of my Nanny and Papa, I didn't want her to have to worry about having us over to their house. It really worked out well. By the time they got there around 9am, Stratton had already opened all his Santa gifts and we had exchanged gifts with each other. I made a breakfast casserole and bacon and my mom brought fruit and Brandye brought muffins, so we sat down and ate breakfast and then exchanged gifts.
D & B got him this squishy frog. . .he wasn't a fan!
He thought it was funny to jump in the pile of paper!
He found a band-aid (gift label) and put it on his head
We had such a good time visiting and we put in Christmas Vacation before they had to leave to get ready for dinner at Grandma's house. Stratton did eventually pass out and take a long nap!
We signed up for Santa's "Early Delivery Program" this year. Santa delivered Stratton's gift's on Friday night, the 23rd, since we were going to have such a busy day on Sunday. It worked out great!
Christmas morning was a little different for us this year, as it was our first at our house. The last 2 years we have stayed the night with my mom and dad on Christmas eve, but we were ready to start our Christmas morning traditions at our own house this year.
Stratton got us up around 6am
Santa brought him a backhoe, dump truck and train set! Exactly what he asked for!
Santa filled his stocking with goodies!!
He also got lots of neat stuff from Mommy and Daddy!
"Daddy, Open it!"
We had such a good time, but it sure goes fast! All that shopping, wrapping and preparing and it's all over in a matter of minutes!! We have been so very blessed this year and went a little overboard, but it's worth it when we saw that big smile on little man's face!
Today was Stratton's school party and PJ day. The kids drew names and exchanged gifts and then got a visit from Santa before having snacks. Stratton didn't want to sit on Santa's lap, but he didn't want him to leave either! I told him he had to go back to the North Pole to finish making toys for Christmas. So as soon as Jarrod got home tonight that's what he told him- Santa had to leave to go home to the North Pole to make presents! I was surprised that, that stuck with him!
After the party we ran home and got some clean clothes and some toys and I dropped him off with Uncle Dillon and Aunt Brandye for the evening, so I could go get a few things done and some presents wrapped! We also took Dusty her Christmas presents, a new bed and some treats and a "John Deere green heart toy" all picked out by Stratton.
Stratton had his 30 month evaluation at school today. According to his teachers and the daycare director he is way above average for his age. They also sent home a packet of questions to fill out and I was surprised at how much my little man knew and could do. I mean, I know he's smart- but I didn't realize how smart!! He can draw really well, and most of his sentences are at least 7 words long, which according to the evaluation, most kids his age only use 3 to 4. His favorite word right now is "Yep" and while he is usually is really polite and will say please and thank you, we just can't seem to get him out of the habit of saying "yep". I'm sure he's just repeating what he hears, and he says is just like his daddy does!
Lately, he loves to sing, and tell stories. His imagination is really starting to develop. The other night, while putting his dinosaur pj's on him, I asked him "what does a dinosaur say?", he responded "Bologna! Bologna!". . . I mean, where in the world did that come from?! He is still all about tractors, backhoes and dump trucks. He is so curious and asks us all the time "whatcha doing?" and he usually wants to help. He is also very independent. He likes to do things by himself. He is using the potty more often. I don't want to really start potty-training till after the christmas chaos is over, but he goes at night before his bath and sometimes during the day at school.
He has been going through another "phase" recently, where he doesn't like to go to bed and gets up several times a night. What's really strange is he wants Jarrod to take him back to bed! He doesn't want anything to do with me! Which is fine with me at 2am. . .hahaha. He is also being quite a little stinker and testing his limits (and our patience!). Sometimes I find myself needing to go to "timeout" and cool off!! He has started back talking already (I think I hear my mother laughing. . .) and flat out being rebellious! But he's quite the little charmer, especially when we are in public. He knows how to turn it on and pour it on!!
This past weekend we had our annual MAP conference in Branson. While I worked Stratton and my mom had lots of fun. The meeting was a success and we had lots of fun hanging out with my parents! We got to Branson late Wednesday night, we stayed at the Chateau again (where are meeting is) and when we got there we took Stratton walking around. He loved walking around and seeing the trees and the huge gingerbread houses and all the christmas decor! I had to get up early to start setting up for the meeting, so Jarrod and Stratton hung out before coming down to visit me. After the meeting on Thursday we went to The White River Fish House for supper and had to get the chocolate chip cookie in a skillet- it's the best thing on the menu!! Stratton had a "Bucket of bait" - chocolate pudding with oreos and gummy worms!
Having a "bucket of bait" at WRFH
The meeting on Friday started bright and early! So we let Stratton spend the night in Gigi and Pop's room so Jarrod could get some sleep (he had an ear infection and sinus infection) while I got up and went to the meeting. After the meeting was over- about noon, we packed up and grabbed a bite, then we went to find our cabin! We decided to stay in a cabin Friday and Saturday night. It's just easier when were all together. We stayed at Stonebridge resort and it was so nice. We had a cute little cabin with two master suites. Friday night we all went to the Dixie Stampede! Stratton LOVED it! He could hardly eat he was so mesmerized! After we got out of that we went back to Branson Landing and did some shopping. We also saw SANTA! Stratton was shy and so mommy and daddy had to have their pictures taken too!
Saturday we sort of slept in before heading out to lunch and then to the outlet mall for shopping! We spent the afternoon at the outlet and then had dinner at Mel's Hard Luck Diner, then shopped for christmas ornaments before ending the night at Coldstone Creamery!
We got up Sunday and headed home! It was a long trip! Stratton got car sick and threw up when we stopped in Harrison to get gas. Luckily we were stopped, so we cleaned it all up and got back on the road. He fell asleep soon after so we didn't have to stop again till Hardy. We got home around 3pm got unpacked and headed to chuch! Whew! What a weekend! I think I need a day to recover before going back to work!
I wish I had gotten a family picture of us at the Chateau- I think I have one from every year J and I have been married! I was just so busy with the meeting it slipped my mind!
