Here They Are

...the Christmas pics you must have been anxiously waiting for. I know I was.

Friday I got up at 5 a.m. and had the kids in the car by 5:30. Unfortunately my bank was not cooperating with my desire to be on the road early. There had been some problems occurring out of state on people's Texas ATM cards so they blocked all out of state transactions without telling us. Fortunately, the credit card that pulls directly from my checking account still worked, or I would have been stuck. It wasn't until I was on the road for 3 hours or so that I got a hold of the bank and heard the whole story and the teller was able to pull the block on my account. After that, everything was smooth sailing.

Santa was driving a big rig!!

Eleven hours later (blech) I made it to my destination and was able to meet with my good friend for dinner. Every year she and I have a standing engagement to get together and exchange gifts and enjoy good food. I was so glad to see her and share what's been going on. It's a lot better than trying to converse via text. (By the way, I hate texting.) We then went on to my mother's place to crash.

The next day, we went on a shopping spree to get last minute Christmas gifts and to get my son new jeans. (Never let your husband pack for your children or they may have to go naked for the rest of the trip.)

Sunday the kids got up at a decent hour (7 a.m.) and we opened presents before mom went to mass. We all got great presents from mom and from my brother. (He is the great gift shipper.)


 Yes, that was THE tree.




Ooh, is that gift from me?? 
(They were art supplies from brother dear.)

When mom got back from service at her church we piled in the car and went to my home church and enjoyed a nice service and hugged a few necks


Most people will have some sort of turkey/ham/big meat dinner. Not us.When we got home we got to making a yummy Christmas breakfast complete with fruit, pancakes, eggs, sausage, and bacon.

Seeing this table setting really is making me miss this lady...
...and her table decorations.

Unfortunately, I work at a year round school. (Fortunately I have a job I can complain about.) Because of the strange schedule, we only get the actual holiday off so I had to drive back to Missouri on the Monday after Christmas. It took a lot of caffeine, sugar, and potty breaks. I also kept my oldest awake to talk and sing and laugh at the comedy station on the satellite radio. When we arrived, the kids found what Santa had left at our REAL house. They were very excited, but it happened so quickly, I didn't get to take any pictures.

I don't know if I will post before the new year, so if I don't see you,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Comments

miruspeg said…
It was lovely seeing your Christmas photos Annemarie.
That was a huge drive but certainly worthwhile to catch up with your Mum and your friends at the special time of the year.
Here's to a happy, healthy, exciting 2012!
Warmest hugs
Peggy xxxxx

PS I love the Christmas tree!!
December 30, 2011 at 3:03 AM
Roban said…
Your Christmas photos show the love and fun of the holiday! And that Christmas tree may be small, but it's absolutely adorable.
December 30, 2011 at 4:14 PM
MJ said…
What a fun Xmas you had! Glad to read your journey was safe ~ albeit a little short on clothing ~ but all worked out in the end! Happy new year to you too!
December 30, 2011 at 11:36 PM
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