Christmas 2016 in Dayton

Most couples I know insist that once they have kids, 

they will no longer travel for Christmas - instead opting

to stay in their own house and start new traditions. 

And, while I totally see the value in that. 

I also don't mind traveling to keep my own 

childhood traditions alive.  Mostly just going 

to Mamaw and Papaw's on Christmas Eve and waking

up in my parent's house on Christmas morning. 

I definitely did consult with Rob on this though...and

he agreed that it was fine to travel - and Max 

always wants to go to Mim's house....so it was

kind of no brainer to head to Dayton on Christmas Eve. 

Lately, we've started this (weird?) new tradition

to eat Christmas Eve lunch at Chick-Fil-A.

It never disappoints - and pro tip:

if your child isn't into the toy - they 

can trade it back for an ice cream cone. 

Straight up sugar before church?

Sure, why not. 

 

Somehow, Stacy and I convinced each other

that we should each get to open an "early" 

gift.  This was so epic - because she opened

a Patagonia fleece pull over that I knew she 

really wanted. And I got to open this

scarf that I had been eye-balling at a local 

shop and when I went back to buy it - it was gone!

I was being super dramatic about it - but turns out, 

she bought it for me.  Sisters man, the best. 

My mom always makes us take family

pictures before church - and while the process

has gotten more streamlined over the past 

few years (or maybe she just got more relaxed?)

it's not my favorite thing. We joke that 

Penny didn't make it into any of the pictures...

so, we got the below picture so Penny

would be represented. Max willingly

jumped in at the last minute and it turned 

out to be one of my favorite pictures. 

This one of the three of us turned out pretty good too!

After mass at St.Leonard's we headed over

to Mamaw and Papaw's house for our traditional 

Christmas Eve dinner and hang out. 

This is usually the only time of year we

see my cousins ...so we spend a great deal

of time catching up...hearing old stories about 

my dad...joking aroud...stuffing our faces with ham....

and generally just being together. 

We took things up a notch this year - by adding

in a game of "Pie in the Face". Nearly everyone

participated and it was super funny to see 

everyone's reactions. 

 Everyone got gift cards - except Max - 

who got to rip through a few presents :)

Before leaving for mass, we remembered to 

spread out our special reindeer food and glitter

to guide them to our house.  And, of course,

we set out milk and cookies for the big guy. 

Max went to bed pretty late on Christmas Eve, 

and thus slept later than he normally does on Christmas

morning. When Mims informed him it was

indeed Christmas - he wanted to look right

away and see if Santa had left him Magic Tracks. 

And, Santa delivered! 

  

Mims still does stockings for everyone too...

 (with some help from me)!

So, we opened those as a family and then 

ate breakfast (Tater Tot breakfast casserole) together. 

 

My dad always gets everyone a couple

scratch off lottery tickets.  Sadly, no 

big winners this year. 

 After breakfast - we opened gifts - which 

mostly centered around Max. Lots of new 

games, Paw Patrol clothes galore, a new 

calendar for his room, and more accessories

for his Peppa Pig town (an airplane and train)!

Check the Paw Patrol bathrobe action below. 

I mean...

Also - the outfit was completed 

with Paw Patrol slippers...which I don't think

he took off (unless forced too) for a week straight. 

The highlight for me? This super cool

replica tobacco basket and a new purse!

Rob's loot included a new stud finder, 

shirt from Eddie Bauer, and gift certificate

to "Go Yoga" so he can get his namaste on. 

Of course, we had to set up the Magic Tracks
right away...and then played with them the
WHOLE DAY! Seriously - all day.
Some of the track lights up - there is a
loop and you can also reconfigure the track
into different routes and such.
At one point - all four cars were going
at the same time! 

We had an "Italian" Christmas dinner - complete

with Cesar Salad, Garlic Bread, and a 

giant pan of Lasagna. It was super yummy!

And even though we all said we were full - 

managed to still put down some peppermint

chocolate chip ice cream with homemade

cookies (from yours truly) for dessert. 

The afternoon was spent playing numerous

rounds of Peppa Pig spin and find, 

launching Thomas mini trains, 

watching the cars chug around the Magic Track, 

and singing Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

any time Max requested it (which was often). 

While I certainly would have preferred a 

"white Christmas" - having it be warm enough

to go to the park in the afternoon wasn't all bad. 

Mims, Titi, Mama, Penny, and Max

tried out a new park - complete with walking

trails, tennis courts, playground, and lots of

great spots for hide and seek. I think we played 

no less than 25 rounds of hide and seek. 

Try not to be jealous. 

After second dinner, when Poppy had left,
and Max was asleep - we busted out
Scattergories for the adults.  Worth noting -
the game box at my parents house still had the
price tag on it.  It was purchased at Hills - which
probably hasn't been in Dayton for 20 years....so...
yeah...I've got lots of experience with this game.
Apparently, not enough experience to
beat my own sister though.
Look at the smug smile on her face below! 

 
It really was a wonderful Christmas.
I love this time of year...and I'm so glad we
got to spend the month of December with
those we love.
xoxo