Epperson Christmas '08

Yes, it's 3 weeks since Christmas, but it takes me a lot longer to get everything done these days with 3 kids 4 years old and younger. I'm just excited that I did finally get to something on my 'list' of things to get done. :)

We spent Christmas with my family this year. Since we have been married, we have always flip-flopped holidays with both sides of the family. One year we have one holiday with my family and the next year we have that holiday with Aaron's family. That way we can try to celebrate all the holidays with our families as fairly as possible. It's also nice because now all of our siblings and their spouses jumped into the same schedule and we can be assured of when we will all be together for certain holidays.

On Tuesday, Dec. 23, my brother, sister, and brother-in-law got into town and that evening, along with my parents, we all went to the "Trail of Lights". It was perfect weather because it wasn't cold enough for us to all be uncomfortable, but cold enough to feel Christmas-y. I held Skylyn in a sling, my brother took care of Titus and my Dad and Mom took Aaris. That very morning Aaris has expressed how sad she was that she had never sent Santa her Christmas list, so it was perfect that there ended up being a station along the trail for writing and mailing (special express to the North Pole) Santa letters. She wrote for herself Pixos, bike and kitten, and for Titus tools. The kids favorite part was getting twirled under the huge Tree of Lights. I must say it was my favorite part, too.

The rest of the time we ate the never ending feasts of food. We had endless selections of meals and homemade candy. My mom outdoes herself every year cooking and it is VERY much appreciated and enjoyed. THANKS MOM! Oh, and I must not forget the best gift my parents gave me: they had Aaris and Titus sleep in their room every night we were there (4 nights). It was SOOOOOOO great. It would have been very hard to have them in the room with us as Skylyn woke up during the night to eat.

Wednesday we just hung out at my parents house. My mom bought the kids a Plasma car. All you do is sit on it and wiggle the handle and it goes. Aaris and Titus took to it easily. But, we didn't let them have all the fun. My mom, sister and I all enjoyed riding the Plasma car as well.

We had a big Turkey dinner Christmas Eve. Then, we all enjoyed seeing Aaris and Titus find their Santa and Jesus presents Christmas morning. Santa left Aaris a bike and Pixos and Titus a bike and tools. Jesus always leaves the kids presents on His birthday as well. This year her left them Christian Children's story books and VeggieTale movies. Then, the best traditions ever happens. The men in the family cook a huge breakfast for everyone. They make eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, and gravy. After we all eat and clean up, we start the present exchange and opening. It takes about 3 hours because we open one present at a time so that we all get to enjoy seeing it. The kids loved handing out the presents. We all were greatly blessed with generosity to each other this year and had a wonderful time. My brother might have had the best time though because he got to enjoy Skylyn sleeping on his chest most of the time.

During our four day celebration we played ladder golf and checkers tournaments. My sister won the ladder golf and Aaron won the checkers. Ever since I was a little girl and went to my Grandma and Pepaw's house every year for Christmas I remembered that the adults put together a puzzle. The tradition has never ended and every year my mom has a puzzle to be worked on. Some how it's mainly the men that work on it. I think the puzzle is one of Aaron's favorite things about Christmas at my parent's house. My sister, brother and Aaron and I also took advantage of my parent's hot tub. The kids enjoyed their new wagon and we could hardly keep Aaris off her bike. She would never willingly end a bike ride. I walked with her and always had to finally guide her home just so that I could take a break. Also, my sister and I always break the Turkey wishbone every year. We have a wishbone ornament and whomever gets the larger piece gets to keep the wishbone ornament until the next year. Hattie has won the majority of the time, including this year.

Saturday we all headed back to our own houses, but we all headed back with great memories!