It's all over...

That pretty much sums it up!

Our Christmas was great! I hope yours was. I will admit though that I'm kinda relieved it's all over. Kinda. I love having legit excuses to hang out with the family but all the hustle and bustle can be overwhelming. I promised lots of pictures so let me get started...

These are from Thursday night, December 23rd - Christmas with mamaw and papaw.











Friday we went to Brandon and Alejandra's house. The girls had a lot of fun. Here are a few snapshots from that night.




EL finally got her dolphin pillow pet :) she was so happy!


Madison racked up on clothes from Hollister and Bare Minerals make up. She was all smiles :)

We had a fun time hanging out with the fam but it never seems to last long enough.

On Christmas morning, we woke up to find this...

I was THRILLED!! It really was a White Christmas and I couldn't have been happier :) Here are a few photos from Christmas morning...

Santa came!

Eyes closed!







Just Dance!


Mom and Dad came over for a little while after the girls were done opening presents.


EL needs friends to skype!

By the time we left for mom and dad's Christmas night - the neighborhood looked like this...

by the time it was all done we had about 7 inches.

When we got to mom and dad's Brett, Sarah, Riley & Reagan were out sledding. Now the girls never even mentioned wanting to play out in the snow while we were at home but as soon as we got there and they saw them outside, they immediately wanted to play too. They were not dressed for this. They had plenty of snow gear at home - AT HOME. But whatever, they played anyway.






Dad likes to play too! I'm thinking he got the short end of the stick on this one. She's heavy!


Reagan had to come in and get warm!

After dinner we all gathered in the living room to open presents.

How sweet is this picture?


And this one too?


This is NOT a good picture of us. His hat isn't even on all the way and you can really see how long his hair is. But nevertheless, he is kinda smiling. So I'm gonna go with it!

So I think everyone had a happy Christmas. It was nice to be off for an extra few days just hanging out at home.

Traditions...

When I was a kid - things were more exciting.

On Christmas Eve we would go over to my mamaw and papaw's house for dinner and to open presents. Back then it was just my family, mamaw and papaw and my aunt and her family. We could all fit inside mamaw and papaw's house comfortably, well that might be kinda stretching it but we were all comfy, cozy, a big happy family. Papaw would ocassionally dress up as Santa (although it took us a couple years to figure that out) and he would come in with his big black sack and deliver all the presents to us kids. The anticipation of that night was almost more than I could handle. I remember just waiting for it to get dark - that's when Santa would come.

Christmas Day we were up EARLY. I don't remember who would get up first. Probably Brett. Tiff and I shared a room so we were both probably up at the same time. We had to wait on mom and dad, of course. They would always go into the living room first to see if Santa had come, I thought. Looking back I guess they were just making sure everything was as they had left it. Santa always came! Packages were left out for us and things from mom and dad were always wrapped. There was always that one big gift that we had hoped would be there and most times, it was. Stockings were my favorite part. Crazy, huh? I just knew the best presents were sometimes the smallest and I just always looked forward to stockings. After our Christmas morning was over, we headed over to Nana and Carroll's house for lunch. As our family grew, the location changed but we always met on Christmas Day.

Now that I am older - things are different.

We still get together with my mamaw and papaw - just not on Christmas Eve. Because all of the grandkids have grown up and have families of their own, we have had to change our tradition. Now we meet for dinner a few days before Christmas - which is what we did last night. I will admit it has lost it's flare. I treasure the time I get to spend with my family, I know that tomorrow is not promised but something was missing last night. Ya see, mom, dad, Brett, Sarah and I all sat together - we didn't mingle. There were a few people there that I didn't know. And at one point, I caught my dad shaking his head and I wonder...was he thinking what I was thinking?

As far as Chistmas Day goes, we also still have lunch with Nana and all my aunt's and their family, just not on Christmas Day. Now it is usually a week or so before Christmas Day. This is Nana's 2nd Christmas without Carroll. Our dinner was this past Sunday and it was good. I think I may have mentioned something about it in my last post.

Our family traditions are this - I usually take a few extra days off at Christmas since the girls are out of school. I try to save as much time as I can for this week to just hang out with them. A few years ago, Sarah and I started a traditional thing where she comes over and we hang out all day. We either go shopping and knock out our final things, or wrap presents and make cookies. This year we were both done shopping so they came over and we stayed in our pj's all day long. We had frozen pizzas for lunch - chips, salsa and guacamole and cookies! It was a fun, lazy day. It was also the first day that Reagan had ever been to my house :) Another thing the girls and I do is hang out with Cindy, Bayley and Brody for the day. This year we went to Twisted Crepe for lunch then to do a little shopping at the mall. Dad was working and mom was able to hang out with us this year so that was fun until Madison started being ugly and then it just wasn't fun at all.

Tiff and her family live in Pinehurst and don't come to Asheville for Christmas Day anymore. I totally get this and do not expect her to come anymore. She should have Christmas morning at her own home as we all do. They do come a weeked or two before Christmas though and we are able to spend lots of time with them then.

On Christmas Eve we have dinner with Damion's side of the family - used to be at his mom and dad's house but this is the 2nd year that we will go to Brandon and Alejandra's house. After dinner the kids will open presents and we will hang out for a little while before we head home.

Christmas Day the girls are usually up by around 8:30am or so. I think what usually happens is Emma-Leigh goes into Madison's room to wake her up and then they yell for us from their rooms. They know not to come out until we say it is okay. I guess like my mom and dad did for us, Damion and I have to check out everything in the living room for them as well. So tomorrow we will hang out at home for a little while and then go over to mom and dad's for Christmas with them, Brett, Sarah, Riley and Reagan in the early evening.

Things have definitly changed from when I was a kid - that is expected I know but it sure is tough. I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!

The children were nestled all snug in their beds....

Only they shouldn't be!! I am up, awake and GEARED UP for Jesus's birthday. Uh huh - you read correctly. That's right - me, Christie Brookshire, am officially ready!! That grammar didn't really sound right but anyway, you get the point. I guess the girls are exhausted from their 2 whole days of school this week, seeing as how they haven't had a full day of school in quite a while considering all this icy, cold weather we've been having. So I am still up, The Polar Express is playing in the background and I've been eating oreos. I've got a ton of things running through my mind. What I need to do, what I should be doing blah blah blah but tomorrow, I plan to tackle my to do list. I want to be DONE. Completely DONE. I just have 6 more presents to buy and they're easy, peasy. It's just getting to the store that's the hard part. So I have fun plans for the next 2 days. Tomorrow we (Cindy and the girls) are going to Twisted Crepe for lunch. Madison, Bayley and Cindy have never been so it will be something new and different for them! Madi does have a dentist appointment tomorrow afternoon but it will be short and sweet. Then later I think Cindy and the kids are coming over to bake and/or help wrap some presents. I want to be done with most of the wrapping by then though. I just want to chill out, to enjoy everything for a change. Thursday Sarah and the girls are coming over to watch Christmas movies in our pj's. I am quite sure we will bake some cookies as well! I am really looking forward to it! No work until next Tuesday - wahoo!!! Damion is a little jealous, I'm afraid. But I have really worked hard to get this time off. I've saved my time, begged mom to keep the girls (not really begged but you get the idea) and have even come to work when I've felt like poop. So I am really excited about this :) no pictures to share tonight. It's just me and the dogs hanging out ~ more posts to come in the next couple days with lots of pictures!

I think I'm ready....

5 days to go - I think I'm done shopping. Can you believe it? I have NEVER been done this early - EVER. Cindy and I went shopping friday night. It wasn't really planned - in fact, she had made other plans earlier in the week but when Damion offered to keep all 4 kids (Randy had gone hunting out of town), we jumped on the offer. He was home by 6pm and we left shortly after that. We hit Target, Sam's, the mall and had a nice peaceful dinner. We got more done in just a few hours on Friday than we did the entire day on Saturday. Saturday was a bit of a lazy morning for me. I did laundry, washed all the sheets then later in the afternoon Cindy came over and we went to lunch at Panera and then to Wal-Mart and Papas & Beer for dinner. It was a busy day but not real productive. Yesterday was Christmas lunch for mom's side of the family. That is always fun. I love hanging out with my cousins - especially when Damion enjoys it as much as I do. Wish we could get together more than we do though. After lunch we went home and watched Christmas movies until time for the girls to go to church with mom and Nana for Riley's Christmas program. She was an angel, Reagan was baby Jesus and I think Sarah & Brett were Mary & Joseph - Sarah, please clarify if I am wrong. I should have gone with them but I took advantage of their time away and went to Rack Room and came home to wrap presents. I only got 10 wrapped. I am THE WORST WRAPPER EVER. I absolutely HATE wrapping presents. I'm terrible at it. It takes me so long, that by the time I am done, I have forgotten what's inside! The girls (EL especially) were excited to see presents under the tree when they arrived home. Now they each have 5 presents - it is so hard to keep it even. I was able to get everything down out of the attic last night and make a list of what I've bought for who - I think it is pretty even. EL may need a few more but Madison is set. She's so easy to buy for right now. EL is still in the stage where she likes toys, but might be getting too big for them. I did buy Damion some stuff Friday night. He won't be getting much but then again, he doesn't want or need much. I think he will be happy with what I've bought though.

This week will be a short work week for me :) I am only working today and tomorrow - I always try to save my paid time off for this time of year. This year has been a pretty good one as for as me not having to miss much work so I'll be working 2 days this week and 3 days next week. Not too bad I don't guess. I can honestly say that I am relieved and mostly ready for Christmas. I'm ready to enjoy it - ready to be with my kids and make some memories!

I'm SO not ready.

I am reminded on a daily basis just how many days there are until Christmas thanks to this little nifty chalkboard that Emma-Leigh is faithfully changing...and how I am SO not ready!! Damion and I have made a pretty good dent in our shopping for the girls but we are far from being done and are running out of time - FAST! Our days have been pretty busy and I have gotten behind on my blogging so I will try to catch up as briefly as possible now.

Saturday night was Madison & Amelia's big birthday party. But before that, we had a cake to make - not really WE but Kristi and Madison. Here are a few pictures...


Even Ethan, Aiden and Emma-Leigh got in on the action!

Friday night was my office Christmas party. I always enjoy those. Damion and I always have a great time - we laugh a lot and I love to see/hear Damion laugh :) unfortunately, I have no pictures to share :(

Saturday was THE DAY. First we headed to the Fletcher Christmas Parade. Tiff and her family were here for the weekend and I enjoyed that very much.

Then after the parade we headed to Wild Wings for lunch. Here's Tiff and EL being goofy.

Saturday was just a whirlwind! After lunch we went to get Amelia and Laura and were off to Wal-Mart to get food for the party. It was a crazy afternoon but it ended up going great. I am pretty sure all of Madison's friends had a blast.

The guy in the orange? That's Garrett - the new boyfriend.

EL & Damion taking a break from the dance floor. EL really did dance the night away. She had such a great time!

Of course Riley had to get in on the action too!

Jaidyn boogied down with EL.
And Tiff took lots of pictures!


Dad and Damion escaped from all the madness and went to play racquetball!

Sunday was our family Christmas with Tiff, Todd, Jaidyn & Ayla. We decided to do brunch this year which was lovely! I thoroughly enjoyed it. We also were surprised with a lovely snow storm Saturday night into Sunday. We got about 3 inches which made driving treacherous but it didn't stop us from heading over to mom's for brunch! It was delicious! Biscuits and gravy, fruit, bacon, eggs, a breakfast casserole, muffins = YUM!

Then we opened presents! This year Tiff, Brett and I decided not to exchange gifts with each other. The economy this year has not been great and it is time to turn this over to our kids. We focus more on birthdays during the year and this has been a lot less stressful and enjoyable. The girls had a fun time!

There was no school on Monday or Tuesday this week. Emma-Leigh came to work with me on Monday and yesterday she hung out with Sarah. Madison was with Bayley on Monday and spent yesterday morning at home alone until I brought the dogs home from the groomers - then I took her to Sarah's. I made a cake last night for Madison's cheerleading squad. YES, I made a cake. Are you surprised? Isn't it lovely?

Tonight Damion and I will go Christmas shopping. I love shopping with him. I really do. He likes to shop! More wintry weather coming in tonight supposedly. We will see!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

okay so my attitude has improved (somewhat) and I am looking forward to the holiday season. Better be, right? It is coming whether I like it or not!

We had a pretty good weekend. Friday night Madison had a Wyldlife meeting and I ended up taking her, Bayley and Matthew and then EL and I were just gonna hang out in Fairview until the meeting was over. Since it was only an hour and a half I didn't figure there would be any point in going all the way home. Right before we were leaving, Kim called and I told her what I was doing - we planned to meet at Nachos & Beer for dinner. That worked out perfectly. We don't get to hang out hardly at all anymore so it was nice to have dinner together - seems like the best things happen when they aren't planned!

Saturday I cleaned my house the ENTIRE day. From 8:30am until 6:00pm. I felt really good about it too. I had already planned to stay home all day and clean. It was a necessity. I did things I normally do not do, like vaccuumed out all the vents, cleaned out from underneath both bathroom sinks, bathroom drawers and underneath the kitchen counters. A kind of winter-cleaning, if you will. I enjoyed it, believe it or not. Sickening, huh? When I finished the girls and I went to get Cameron and then went to Panera for dinner.

Sunday we were all up early ready to decorate the house! Here are a few pictures of my cozy little living room.

Madison and Cameron carried the Christmas tree in all on their own!





After we finished decorating we went to Applebee's for lunch - which ended up being a terrible disaster. Let me try to explain what happened - when you walk in the door at Applebee's there's a sign that says - buy $50 worth of gift cards, get $10 free. I thought it would be a good idea to do that. I'm all about getting something for free. So when our bill came, it was $66.80 - I explained to our server that I wanted to buy a gift card for $50 and then use that gift card to put towards our meal which would leave a balance of $16.80 to also be charged on the same credit card that we used to buy the gift card with. Make sense so far? Instead, he charged an ADDITIONAL $50 to our bill - making the total $116.80. When he came back to the table, I explained to him that we wanted to use the gift card to pay for our lunch. So he was like "oh, okay. I understand. Sorry about that." and then he comes back with another ticket that says $66.80 - so he deducted $50 by using the gift card. I shook my head - seriously? Is he not understanding this? By this point, Damion was not happy to say the least. But he said - "whatever, that's fine." But when we got out to the car, he was pissed. He said he had no intentions whatsoever of spending $120 on lunch (more after you factor in the tip). I told him I was sorry - that I could go fix it if he wanted me to. He did. So I went back in, spoke to the manager and after about 5 miuntes - she finally understood what I was trying to say. I really could not believe that I was having to explain this. What was the big deal? The free $10 had totally lost its value by that point. I didn't even want it anymore!!!! Anyway, I walked out of there feeling like she had understood what I was saying - the whole time the server has his elbows propped up on the bar just glaring at me. It's not my fault you're stupid - that's what I wanted to scream at him! ugh. SO, we get in the car and Damion decides to call the credit card company. As he suspected, Applebees has charged 4 different transactions - one for $116.80, one for $66.80, one for $50 and one for $16.80. No credits/refunds were showing up at all. Just when you think it couldn't get any worse - right? I'm in tears now. After all, this was all my idea just for $10 extra flipping dollars! heavy sigh. So today I call again to see if it has all straightened out (the manager at Applebee's told me at the end of the night it would all void out) and all 4 transactions are still showing as pending. I was told by the credit card company to just give it one more day. If it hasn't cleared out by tomorrow then to call Applebee's and if they won't fix it then the credit card company will file a dispute. OMG. Seriously? I want to cry. So just to make sure I'm not totally losing my head - which transactions, out of the 4, do you guys think should even be charged? I'm curious. Maybe I'm the stupid one.

On another note, Madison has a new boyfriend. Surprise, right? I don't know anything about him other than he goes to an all boys school. Maybe he will be at her party on Friday night? We will see!