Christmas Day!

Christmas morning came bright and early at Nonie and Poppie's house!

Santa was here!

This one makes me laugh!

After reading Santa's note, we read the Christmas story together

Even Cam and Huck sat and listened!

Then, it was time to see what Santa left!

New earrings for Kyndall!

Yes, my 3 year old wanted a smoothie maker for Christmas.  Thanks, Nonie and Poppie!

This lovely piece of "artwork" will now adorn our front porch.  Yippie.

He's WAY too proud of this thing

Kyndall only had one request on her Christmas list, and let me tell you, it was not a typical wish list item for a 3 year old.  No matter how many times we asked her (or WHO asked her) what she wanted for Christmas, she always responded the same way.  "A flying motorcycle!"  Huh?!

So began the search for flying motorcycles.  I scoured the internet, searched every toy store and I came up with NOTHING.  There were all kinds of other flying contraptions, but not surprisingly, motorcycles were not one of them.  I'm still not sure where she got this idea or why she was so adamant about it.  

I did the only thing I knew to do....I got the closest thing I could find and prayed that it would suffice.  I bought two different types of flying "things", hoping that at least one of them would make her happy! 

When she opened them, she seemed pretty excited and I was able to breathe a sigh of relief

Just like Grammy, Kyndall's gift to Nonie was an Origami Owl necklace.  However, just as she was about to open it, Kyndall exclaimed "It's a necklace, Nonie!!!"  Note to self---Kyndall will no longer be privy to top secret Christmas gift information!

Poppie loves him some Duck Dynasty!

And Lowe's.....

I think Matthew had more fun playing with the "flying things" than Kyndall did!

Really though, he just had fun torturing the poor dogs!!

Success!!  She loved it and I never heard another word about a flying motorcycle.  Mission accomplished!

Matthew's Mom cooked pancakes and bacon for breakfast---My favorites!

Ready to dash off to Two Egg for Christmas with my extended family

I'm totally fine with Kyndall wearing camo, as long as it can be monogrammed!  =)

Christmas in Two Egg!

My cousin Carrie is like a kid magnet.  I swear, they are just drawn to her!

Listening very carefully to the rules of our annual "Dirty Santa" gift exchange.  This game gets serious, people.  

Before dirty Santa began, we gave Grandma her gift.  Although everyone agreed "no gifts" this year, the Grandchildren went in together and surprised her with something very special.......

We had Granddaddy's casket flag framed and adorned with an engraved name plate, which also listed the years that her served in the US Army.  I thought it was a wonderful gift and Carrie gets all the credit for coming up with the idea and handling the leg work to have it all put together!

Sweet cousins, Kyndall and Garrison---Born just 6 days apart!

Since dirty Santa has been known to get quite lengthy and somewhat intense, we also let the little ones go ahead an open their gifts

Finally, the moment we all wait for......the drawing of the numbers!

Jeffrey got the coveted number 1, so he went first.  He picked my gift, which I purposely wrapped in PURPLE Christmas wrapping paper.  Hint, hint---It's gonna be a girly gift!  I even warned him and he ignored me, saying I was just trying to throw him off!

Should've listened to me, little cuz!  That Ulta make-up kit is just perfect for you!

I got a picture frame, which I loved, and thankfully nobody stole it from me!

Matthew is a weirdo and purposely chose his own gift, a Lowe's gift card

My poor Mama ended up with an entire kit full of deer scented body wash, soap and deodorant!  Ha!!!

The kids had fun with Justin's gift

In the end, alliances were secretly formed (yes, I'm dead serious) and Katie, Brian and Jeffrey made out like bandits, getting exactly the gifts they wanted thanks to their secret scheming, plotting and trading.  I'm happy to report that my Ulta make up kit ended up with my Aunt Beth, who will surely put it to better use than Jeffrey!

It's just not a family gathering until the boys pull out their guns and start shooting at crap

Christmas day skeet shoot.....an annual tradition

Kyndall was happy to watch from afar, safe in the golf cart with my Dad!

My handsome hubs

My cousin Katie and her husband Brian and their two boys are in the process of building their gorgeous dream home, just across the field from my Grandma's house.  Katie asked if we would all go over and write scripture verses on the foundation and on the wall beams as a way to literally build their home upon the word of God.  What a cool idea!!

I can't wait to see the finished product in just a couple of months!  It's going to be beautiful!

Later that night back at Grandma's......

Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!

As you can see, our Christmas could not have possibly been more wonderful!  The only thing that could have made it any better was if Granddaddy had been there.  He was on my mind and on my heart all day long and it just felt like something was missing.  Because, well, it was.  It's never easy losing a loved one, but it seems especially difficult when it happens around the holidays.  I know that with each passing year, the pain will ease a little but right not it still stings.  A lot.  I missed him running out to greet us in the driveway as we drove up.....I missed his heartfelt blessing over our Christmas dinner....I missed seeing Kyndall, Bryce and Garrison climb up on his lap and help him open his gifts.....I missed his smile, his laugh, his hugs, his smell and most of all his prayers for me and his reassurance that everything was going to be ok.  I don't think I'll ever stop missing that.

Even still, we are blessed!!!