A Very Merry Christmas

Wes, Reese, and I just got home from a wonderful week in Conway celebrating Christmas. We headed out as soon as Wes got off work last Wednesday, and we made it back by 10:30 this morning to pick up Emmett and enjoy one last day at home before Wes hits the real world again tomorrow. I knew this holiday would be special with Reese, but boy, it was simply beautiful. To see her smile and to see so many others smile because of her makes me so happy.

Here's a rundown of the week's events because it's so much easier to list today:

Wednesday: took Reese to the Promenade to visit Santa in between packing up for the week--ate a late home-cooked dinner when we got in that night

Thursday: enjoyed visits from Christin, Brittany, and Shaleah during the day--laughed and shared lots of stories with the Vammen family when they brought down homemade pizza for dinner

Friday: made a few last-minute shopping trips--took a trek to LR to deliver some Christmas gifts--enjoyed the most amazing shower before church (I love getting to take as long as I want in the shower when family is around to keep Reese company)-- went to the Christmas Eve service at FUMC (Reese slept the entire time)--ate a fabulous dinner with the family--got in our Christmas pajamas--watched part of A Christmas Carol--read THE Christmas story with Reese in bed

Saturday: checked out what Santa brought in our stockings--took lots of pictures of Reese on her first Christmas morning--exchanged gifts with Wes (he did amazing as always)--"air lifted" Patsy up the stairs into the house--dined on mom's incredible Christmas brunch--exchanged gifts with the family--sang carols around the piano--drove across town to Gran and O'Pa's house for the night--opened more gifts--ate Dixie Pig barbeque sandwiches

Sunday: went to church with O'Pa--napped with Reese AGAIN--drove back across town to my parents--celebrated Big Creek at the Smith's

Monday: watched Wes try to cram everything into the car (mom will be taking a trip up here to bring what we couldn't fit)--enjoyed a wonderful breakfast at 7 am--got on the road and made it back home in 2 1/2 hours.

*Of course I'm leaving out lots of snacking on mom's fudge, good conversation, staring at Reese for hours on end, listening to her "goo" and watching her smile over and over again.

*I had to pick from the 100+ pictures taken. If only it didn't take so long to upload pictures on here, I would post way more images of this holiday. You readers are probably glad this is the case. I did, however, try to pick pictures that represent most of our holiday happenings.

The first visit to see Santa.

Sitting on Uncle Allen's lap...and everyone staring at her cuteness.

The Frost-Vammen pizza dinner.

The kids before heading to the Christmas Eve service at church.

Mopsy and Popsy loving on Reese during her first Christmas morning. These two are absolutely head over heels for this girl and take every opportunity to love on, play with, and hold sweet Reese.

Santa filled her stocking.

Our Christmas pajamas.

Accordion entertainment at the end of exchanging gifts.

Reese's custom family tree...a surprise gift from Wes.

Reading from the Mother Goose book given to Reese by Uncle Al.

At Gran and O'Pa's Sunday morning. Sad I didn't get a good pic of Reese with her fabulous Gran and O'Pa.

Big Creek Christmas.