Morris Christmas 2011

We spent Christmas Eve with Doug's family in Dallas, but this year we did it a bit different as are SO glad we did!

We decided to head down the day before and spend some quality time with our dear friends the Gilberts down in Dallas/Falls City instead of doing our usual super quick visit with them in between family stuff on Christmas Eve. Doug and John have known each other for years and we never seem to see them enough.. so we decided to change that this year! Sadly, we had SO much fun that I forgot to take a lot of pictures... sigh.

We stopped first and Bill and Darlene's, John's parents. They are like parents to us, too.. and we care for them very much. We had a great couple of hours catching up and hanging out in "Crazy" Bill's big shop. They kids loved his old cars!



We then headed out to Falls City to John and Laura's place. We enjoyed time with them and their kids Nathan (14) and Shelby (9). They are such a fun family and John never ceased to make me laugh!

Nathan was REALLY into Thomas trains when he was little, and they have kept all of his train things. He decided he was ready to part with them and they gave them to OUR kids for a Christmas gift! Do you know how awesome that is? Oh my.. my kids LOVE it! Such an amazing and thoughtful gift. I told Nathan that I would keep all of the trains and give them back to him if he ever wants it.

Just some of the train loot. Amazing stuff.. train table, too!

We stayed at a hotel in Dallas. Again... no photos.. ugh! The kids had a blast and actually slept pretty good. We woke up on Christmas Eve, grabs some Starbucks and headed to Grandma and Granddads!

Have I mentioned that I became and aunt a few weeks ago? My sister-in-law and her husband are in the process of adopting a sweet baby girl. She was born 4 weeks early, so not all the paperwork and legal stuff is finished, but for all intents and purposes... she is THEIRS! Lillian Esther is such a sweet baby and was well doted on by all the family!

Tiny sweet baby!

Evelyn loving on her new cousin!

Stocking time!

His two favorite things.. a tractor and a tape measure!

For the past three years, after breakfast and stockings we have walked/drove up to the senior center in Dallas to sing carols. It is a way our family can serve and share Christmas cheer and a special time for all of us!

Waiting to go in (Cinderella came along, too!)

Don and Mary catching up.

Singing...

After singing we usually go around and visit with the residents. They are so sweet and loved all the kids!

Matthew making the rounds...

My brother-in-law's Grandmother lives at the center. She got to meet Lillian, her great granddaughter, for the first time. A special moment!

Great Grandma Brandt!

Evelyn and her oldest cousin Ben (almost 13...sigh) walking home. He's pretty awesome!

The required reading of the Christmas story by Granddad. LOVE the expressions on the big boys' faces... they just want to open gifts! Hilarious!

After opening gifts, we all hung out and ate and chatted. The big boys started to play with Matthew and oh, my did he ever love that. He thinks his big cousins are SO cool. I appreciated them for making my sweet boy feel special!

We left early evening and headed for home, all of us tired buy happy from such a great time. As I put Evelyn to bed when we got home, she realized that Christmas was the next morning.

"Mom.. I don't know if it can be better than today!"

Well, said, sweetie. Well said. A great day indeed!!