We had a very busy Christmas! We left the Friday before Christmas to go down to Naples, which was two days after Mason's surgery. We got on the road around 4:00 that afternoon and arrived in Estero around 11:30 that night. After looking at the hotel rates (which are high this time of year), we decided to save some money and stay in Estero, which is about 20 minutes outside of Naples. On the trip down, it worked out for us to stop and eat dinner with Melanie, Evan, Erin and Ryan who were traveling from Texas to Naples. I asked Justin to call and checked in with them and when he did, they were only 10 minutes behind us on I-75. It was nice to stop for a relaxing dinner in Ocala and catch up with them before getting back on the road.
On Saturday morning, we headed out to Pa's house to celebrate Christmas with all the Evers'. The kids had a great time playing with all their cousins and we all enjoyed a delicious lunch before heading back to the hotel late that afternoon. I expected Mason to fall asleep on our drive back, but instead he talked to entire time - 45 minutes! He had fallen asleep for 20 minutes or so on the way out so I guess that was enough of a nap for him.
All the great-grandkids...guess who wouldn't stop crying for the picture?!
Poor Ryan.
Opening presents!
Since the first picture I took of all the great grandchildren wasn't that great, I decided to try again later that day since Mason seemed to be in a "better" mood (aka not crying).
From left to right: Zack, Emmalee, Kate, Erin, Ryan and Mason
Even though we don't get to see these two as often as we would like, our kids quickly wanted to spend all their time with Erin and Ryan.
Kate and Emmalee.
I finally got into one picture!
Pa with his grandson and great grandkids. This was one of two pictures I was determined to get while we were there. Time is so precious and I wanted to capture these special times we spend together.
When we arrived back at the hotel, we spent a little time at the pool before joining the rest of our family for dinner. Kate was upset with me that I didn't pack her bathing suit, but I didn't expect it to be 80 degrees!
Christmas and swimming pools - only in south Florida.
On Sunday, we worshiped at the church where Justin grew up. Over the years I have gotten to know several families there, so it's always nice to visit! And, it's not often we get to worship with Pa, Aunt Mollie, Cousin John, and Aunt Linda. After church, Aunt Linda invited us over to her house to have some BBQ and open more Christmas presents!
I just want to squeeze him!
Sunday evening, we were able to see Gaga and visit with her. This was the second time the kids had been to the assisted living facility but they were still timid. I forget how little kids will brighten their day and I was so proud of Kate who smiled and waved hi to everyone he saw. Gaga proudly introduced us to several of her friends, her roommate and even some of the nurses that worked there. I had made a calendar and framed a picture of Kate and Mason to give Pa and Gaga for Christmas and I was excited to see Gaga's reaction. She loved them, of course. Before we left, Gaga graciously let me take a picture of her with Justin and the kids. I couldn't believe Mason's sweet smile - almost made me cry. Why can't he do that all the time?!
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This was the second important picture I was committed to taking on our trip. Mission accomplished!
On Monday morning, we hit the road early to head back to Tallahassee. It was a short trip down south but well worth it. It went much better than our last trip to Naples! We borrowed my mom's iPad so each kid had their own movies to watch. We also invested in a pair of headphones - best money we could have spent!
Headphones = a peaceful trip.
Since Melanie and Evan we heading back to Texas on Christmas Eve, we celebrated Christmas early on Tuesday night. We had a great dinner and the kids enjoyed opening presents, again! They each got a sleeping bag, Kate received an outfit and panda bear, Mason received money for his savings account and a tent to share. I see lots of camping in our future - even if it is in our living room/backyard.
Melanie, Evan, Erin and Ryan
Mimi and Papa
Gotta love our attempt at a family picture.
Erin and Kate decorated a gingerbread village earlier that day. They did a good job!
On Wednesday, we had a quiet Christmas Eve day. I had finished all my shopping and just wrapped a couple lingering gifts. I spent the rest of the day getting prepared for Christmas night dinner, which we were hosting. That night, we went over to parent's house for our annual Cowart/Olk Christmas Eve dinner. We enjoyed a great lasagna dinner and white elephant gift exchange. Justin and I ended up with a car care kit (which we needed) and a birdhouse that attaches to a window (which Kate fell in love with). I tried to get Justin to steal a $25 Zaxby's giftcard since he had picked the first number, but he decided to keep the birdhouse for Kate.
The grandmother's reading all about Nanny's head massager. It's the real deal.
Aunt Katie's gift - reindeer ring toss.
Kate and her birdhouse.
Camden's "bowbies"
The Olk family.
A little bit better family picture. You know I'm going to try until I get a good one!
We went home that night and got the kids snuggled in their beds. They were excited for Santa to come that night, although anytime you mentioned "Santa" to Mason, he started to whimper and say "No Santa". We promised him Santa wouldn't come into his room and that seemed to ease his concerns. When Christmas morning came, the kids were excited to open all the gifts Santa had brought them...
Mason loved his semi truck car carrier.
He uses it as a ride on toy right now.
At church, Kate has the opportunity to earn bible bucks for bringing her bible to class and learning her memory verse. Each week, the kids are able to shop in the church store but at Christmas time, they stock with it special items for the kids to purchase their family member's presents. We have been helping her save these up so she could shop in the Christmas store. We waited until Christmas morning to open them and she was so excited to give them to us. She bought an interchangeable screwdriver for Daddy, a stuffed gingerbread man for Mason, a giant glow ring for me and a coloring book for herself. She handed each of us the gifts she had bought us before she even opened one of hers. I'm one proud momma.
My bling! Please excuse my appearance.
Mason's gifts from Santa.
When they opened the back door, they saw a trampoline!
Wow! I always wished I had a trampoline growing up. They have been jumping almost every day since Santa dropped it off. They love it!
After all the fun at our house, we got ready and headed over to Gigi and Granddaddy's house to continue celebrating Christmas! We had a delicious breakfast before opening gifts.
He uses it as a ride on toy right now.
Kate's gifts from Santa.
The last thing Santa left was a note on our Christmas tree to Kate and Mason:
The biggest surprise of the morning was the new jeep waiting outside! Wow!
Driving is serious business.
In addition to a lot of toys, Gigi and Granddaddy got Kate a scooter! She worked hard on Christmas day trying to get the hang of it and she did a great job.
Mason's got a tricycle from Uncle Jordan and Aunt Katie and he quickly learned how to scoot around on it. He can't reach the petals yet but he can use his feet and fly down the driveway and all around the cul-de-sac. He is so fast! He might end up teaching Kate how to ride her bicycle and scooter!
Before we left, we took a couple family pictures:
We ended the night with a combined family dinner at our house. Nanny, Gigi, Granddaddy, Mimi and Papa all came over. The kids were excited to show off all their toys and sadly I didn't think to take a single picture that night. Oh well!
We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Merry Christmas!
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