We <3 the ER!

See that clamshell packaging on the bow-n-arrow? Well…that’s what changed our Christmas! Bo was trying to get the thing open with scissors and it wasn’t working – so he went and pulled out the knife Joe gave him. You know the rest without me telling you. Knife to the hand = trip to the ER at 7:45 on Christmas morning!

A huge thank you to Matt for taking him so I could stay and finish Santa with the kids. They got smart and skipped WRMC for the Physicians Hospital ER. They were the only people there and were in and out in a little under an hour!

Funny thing is that we have a knack for getting hurt on weekends and especially holidays – so we’ve made MANY trips to the ER (snow storms, 4th of July, etc.).

So, while this was a new ER – Bo knew the doc because she treated Conlee during the snow storm last year!

Here’s what he came home with.

This could have been WAY worse. We are blessed that it’s his left hand! We so appreciate those that sacrifice time with their loved ones to take care of people like us who inevitably end up hurt!

Now…back to Christmas day.

The Children Sprung from Their Beds…

There is nothing better than Christmas morning – especially Christmases when the kids 100% believe in Santa and “get it.”  My folks, Uncle Matt and J-J and Sue-Sue came to watch the fun!

The kids reaction did not disappoint!

Love Conlee in the pic below.

Please note the bow-n-arrow in the clam shell (yellow) to Crawford’s left.  Will play a pivotal role later in the morning.

Conlee has asked and asked for a crown.  So she got not 1, but…4!  Here she is modeling a few!

She found the high heels in her stocking and was set.  Yes, they are on the wrong feet and she walked like she was on her 3rd drink

The kids read the note from Santa and it was on.  They found the trampoline that Babe & Pops got them, but we convinced them the sun had to be all of the way up before we could jump.

So they ran to the Wii – and it was game time.

We’ve got some gamers here!

My kids and their accessories (Crawford – baseball necklace; Con – her crown)!

Then it was back to exploring.  They found the playhouse – and immediately started coloring.

And then…Crawford wanted the bow-n-arrow.  This requires it’s own post.

Christmas Eve

The kids got very lucky that I had not done ANY grocery shopping for Christmas Eve dinner.  So this morning I was at Harp’s at 6 am – which means that got donuts again for breakfast!

They immediately discovered that Ralphie had left them a treat.  A present, some Reindeer food and a good-bye note.  They are buying this elf thing hook line and sinker.  I hope they aren’t “mad” when they realize it’s not real!

They got a doctor set – which means they played doctor and vet all morning long.

While the kids played, Babe I cooked our tails off!  We got our dishes ready for tonight’s feast at Sue-Sue’s house.  We also got everything ready for Christmas brunch at our house tomorrow morning.

Check out our crown roast of pork!

After a moving candlelight service at Central, we went to Sue-Sue’s.

My family wishes everyone a Merry, Merry Christmas!

My wonderful Mom & Dad!  How handsome does Pop’s look?  Best I’ve seen him in 3 years.  Crawford told him, “Man Pop’s, you look sharp!”

The Garmon’s…

My and my wonderful hubby.  How lucky am I to have landed him

The McCain’s…

We got smart and opened presents before dinner!  The kids racked up.

Sue-Sue of course set a gorgeous table.

Thanks to the Pioneer Woman’s Christmas special.  We made her potatoes and used the rub and whiskey sauce on our pork (since I’m red meat adverse)!

I can’t imagine that prime rib would be ANY better than this pork.  It was delish.

A bit sad that this is what our calendar looks like tonight!  It’s gone by way too fast.

The kids and Bo tracked Santa on the radar.  He was in South America and Crawford was scared that was near Cole’s house.  Which meant he’d be at our house soon!

So we had to hurry and put out our Reindeer food!

And our cookies and milk.

Once the kids were snug in their bed…Santa came.

He left the kids a hand written note on the mantle telling them that he saw something in our yard when he landed (the trampoline from Babe & Pops)!

The last minute addition – that I’m sure will keep us busy on many cold inside days ahead – the cardboard house!

Con’s side…Crawford’s side…

My favorite gift for Con – her army outfit.  A dress and “Major Trouble” hat!

Santa ate up all of his cookies.

And I enjoyed the beauty of all of the packages under the tree.  Tomorrow this will all be gone!

Saying prayers that we get to have this much fun next Christmas season in hopes that Crawford still BELIEVES!