Christmas 2014

We had such a wonderful time this year celebrating our Savior's birth.  Sawyer is starting to understand things so much more, which made Christmas even more enjoyable!  Below, are some highlights from the Christmas season.

Helping decorate outside

the ladies from our Young Adult TBC Sunday School Christmas Party (at our house)

Meeting Santa and Mrs. Clause (for the record, it was almost 80 degrees that afternoon)

Grove Hill Christmas Parade with Addie and Jeston

Thomasville Christmas Parade

Visit from Nana B and PawPaw Mike

This year, we split time between Moulton, Thomasville, and the farm in Madison (Florida).  My family got together the weekend before Christmas because it was the only time that we could all make it at the same time.  For the record, it's hard to plan get-togethers with such a big family (especially since we live all over the place).  Friday night, we met with all the Hayes family members for a big Christmas dinner.  It was so nice to catch up with my cousins and extended family members.
Later after the babies went to sleep, the grown kids exchanged gifts with each other and mom and dad.  We had so much fun and laughed for what seemed like hours.  In fact, we laughed so much that we woke up Baby Hudson...a total meltdown ensued. Eek!

On Saturday, we pretended it was Christmas morning, so the babies all opened their presents.  It was soooo much fun this year to open gifts with them and see how excited they got over each item! We spent the rest of the day together catching up, talking, and of course, eating (by the way, is there anything better than North Alabama BBQ? We miss you so much white sauce!!!).  Saturday evening, we went over to Aunt Sherry's house for Christmas.  We ate--AGAIN-- and spent some much needed quality time together.  Even though we didn't get to be together on Christmas Day, it was so nice for us all to all be in the same place at the same time to celebrate!

Hanging out with Cousin Millie at the Hayes family Christmas

new recliners from Nana and Pawpaw

On Monday, we made our way back home to Thomasville.  It was a long ride with two little ones, but was made even worse because Steven got his first ticket EVER--a special Merry Christmas from Winston County...We spent the next couple of days at home doing Christmasy things and enjoying the season together.  It was a first for us.  Steven and I have never been at OUR house on Christmas Day since we have been married.  Although we both missed family, it was a nice change and we were able to truly enjoy the moment.

Christmas Eve night

Sawyer tried to sneak some of Santa's cookies.

Santa brought Sawyer a new bike this year.  He was pumped!

I had planned a lot of different activities for me and the boys to do on Christmas Eve, but I ended up spending most of the day at the doctor's office.  I felt like death...ran over...twice.  By Christmas Eve night, I was feeling a little better, but definitely not like myself.  We were supposed to go to Madison the next morning after the boys woke up and opened gifts.  We decided that we would only go if I started feeling a little better.  I don't know if it was the excitement of the morning, but I felt okay enough to make the trip.  Unfortunately, the good vibes didn't last long.  I spent the next two days in bed and missed out on practically everything.  I did capture a few sweet moments with family.  Sawyer opened all of his gifts from Mimi and PawPaw Steve (along with all the ones sent from Opelika family).  He got a lot of really fun stuff and had a time. We also celebrated his birthday (again) with the Meadows/Ashleys. 

This boy LOVES some birthday cake!

After two days of feeling awful, we decided to call it and made our way back home.  Being sick is no fun, but it even less fun at Christmas time! 

Alll in all, we had a wonderful Christmas holiday as a family of four.  I already can't wait until next year!