Christmas Eve Eve

On Christmas Eve Eve, we always pack up our gifts, put on our pj's, pick up Arni's pizza and have Christmas at my mom & step-dad's, where I grew up. 

Things have changed so much since our Christmas mornings growing up, but we've adapted to our new traditions and are enjoying making memories with my boys. Christmas will never be the same after the loss of my brother, but we are so thankful for Christian & Gavin. They help us all focus on happier things...and to watch their eyes light up helps us to fill that huge void that will always be a part of our family. Still, I miss him so much and I would give anything for the boys to be able to know their Uncle Cory. Christmas might not ever be the same, but we are making the best of it any way we can. Arni's pizza helps. And Cory wouldn't want us to be sad during the holiday season, as he so loved Christmas. I will take the boys to visit him at cemetery, drop off a picture that Christian colored for him, have one of those good & long ugly cries, and then do what he would want-enjoy our Christmas Eve & Christmas morning with family. 

Back on track though, we attempted family photos...and there were no meltdowns, so I won't complain. Of course, Gavin isn't smiling and Christian looks terrified. And Gehrid has the flu, so he had to stay quarantined away from us. No flu here, please!

Opening gifts with my mom is always entertaining, because she cries everytime. This year was not a let down! Christian passed out our gifts and was very good about being patient and waiting his turn to open presents.

He got a robot dino and was terrified of it at first. Once he warmed up to it, he loved it, but then wanted to hide it from Gavin. Pesky little brothers.

Mimi became Gavin's best friend when she shared her cookie with him. He also became the cookie monster and could spot one from across the room. He's no dummy!

We got home and I had fun putting away all of my new goodies. Momma always gets me the best stuff, and this year was no exception. All kinds of home decor, white dishes, a very nice bottle of bourbon for the hubby and a Home Goods gift card. I cannot wait to use these bad boys!

Christian & daddy playing his new Paw Patrol game...he loves it!

And because I'm sure I've received all of the cards we are going to get this year, my Christmas card door...I LOVE getting Christmas cards, so thank you everyone!

My new white dessert stand with my mom's famous cookies on top. 

And then there's this. Let me just tell you about this. Christian has been asking everyone and everything for a Batman robot. I don't know where this obsession came from, but he just needs a Batman robot or he'll die. Well, they make a Batman robot, but apparently it's the gift this year. No one has had it since black friday. And since we are new to this whole parenting thing, we had no idea that when the gift of the year is gone, it's gone. And the only way to get it, is to hope and pray one becomes available at the last minute, or pay double or triple the cost online because people are price gouging. So Dustin has been watching all day, every day for one to become available. We bought him a bunch of other Batman stuff in case we couldn't find this toy, but we knew it was the robot he would be waiting for come Christmas morning. Well over the weekend, Dustin found one. Hallelujah! However, we aren't sure when it's going to get here....so we're praying & hoping & crossing our fingers and toes that it shows up tomorrow. We'll see. If not, hopefully there are enough other toys to distract him from the one thing he really wants. And we learned a valuable parent lesson...buy the toy of the year early!

And that's been our Christmas Eve Eve. Tomorrow is a pretty calm day with just a few last minute errands, but then a jam-packed evening. We have Dustin's family Christmas, my dad's family Christmas and then Dustin and I do our Christmas after the boys go to sleep. 

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and if you're spending it missing special loved ones like us, here's a big internet (((hug))) from our family to yours.

Thanks for reading!