Christmas time

I'm kind of bummed...because there is something going on with my phone. Remember how I had to reformat my SD card? Maybe it's messed up because it just randomly makes pictures so you can't view them on my phone. It's just a blank black screen. What the heck? I saw the pictures in there, but then when you go back they're just black. This doesn't make any sense. I'm going to try and upload them onto my computer manually and maybe they'll show up then. Lets hope, because all of the pictures I took on Christmas at my in law's house are now a blank screen. Boo on that.

So here's a Christmas post with the pictures that will work. Hal and I had such a lovely Christmas. We were fortunate enough to have two Christmas Eve dinners, one with both families. I think Hal was a little more excited about the crab legs than the ham, but both dinners were delicious! I love being gathered around one house just enjoying the company of family. In my family we have a tradition of getting new Christmas pjs every year, this year after we did Secret Santa my sister surprised all of us sisters with matching pjs, unfortunately all of the pictures either didn't turn out or went black, so hopefully I can find some soon and post them.

Christmas morning we opened presents with the in-laws. His parents were so thoughtful in their gift giving to each other. I'm really glad that they liked the picture calendar that I made for them. The best part is that they tricked Hal and got him really simple gifts like a bag of nuts or a cheap dvd and then inside all of them, hidden were lift tickets. His mom told me where the last one was, so when we got to my family's house and started grabbing presents from the car I asked for one of his fruit snacks. He thought I was crazy for wanting one right now. He opened them and handed me one...I looked at him confused, took the box and dumped them out, realizing the box was empty, I asked for one of his other fruit snacks that he got. At this point he thought I was real crazy. He opened it, held out one, but I took the box, looked in to make sure it was in there, and then held open the box for him to see. Haha, I loved his reaction to everything, and how he thought I was being super crazy about it all.

Holy gift giving at my family. Everyone was so generous this year, and so thoughtful. We all had so many gifts to open, and such a good time seeing what everyone picked out for each other.

This is my nephew K. I just had to get a picture of him with his face, shirt, and hands covered in M&Ms that he ate out of his stocking.

Their family is so stinking cute. My sister gave them these cute little frames that talk about being a child of God. So cute.

After going to the movies and hanging out with family, we went home to get the wii, so we could play Just Dance 1 and 2, which people gave us for Christmas, and we decided to take some time and open our gifts to each other.

Hal got some sweet slacks and an electric toothbrush, both of which he really wanted and had no idea I had gotten him. I love surprising people with their gifts, especially when it's something that I knew they really wanted. That is what I love about gift giving. Surprising someone, letting them know that you love them, and care about them, with something that is thoughtful, or they really wanted. That is what I tried to do this year with the gifts I bought, and it made Christmas really special.

Hal was so sweet and gave me the series of Arrested Development which I am so excited to watch and he gave me the dress that I had blogged about wanting here. I had to iron it for Sunday since he bought it months ago! The dress is so adorable, and I'm so excited that Hal gave it to me.

Oh, and last but not least. Christmas night we went on a walk to 7-11 to get some rootbeer for rootbeer floats, and I wore these new bad boys.

Aren't they fantastic! I think so. They are the most comfortable new shoes that I have ever worn, and especially for being really stiff dress oxfords. Actually, I wore them to work today and they haven't had to be broken in at all. Love it.

I've enjoyed reading about all of your Christmases. The holidays are such a magical time.