Holidays 2011

This holiday was fabulous. After Skylar and I finally got over the RSV and colds, my family arrived on the 22nd. It was GREAT to get my mom, dad and gram all down here to celebrate. Right away we had some things to get done on the agenda. First up we stopped at the Orion Test Lab I work in to get my dad a quick tour, then we needed to take Jesse to the doctor for his shots. Chris and my dad actually did this part since the kids needed a nap. They ended up sleeping for a while. I guess the vet just made all over Jesse. Talked about how fabulous he is doing for his age and what a gorgeous dog he is. Of course, we agree. He is doing great. After naps, Gram, Mom, Skylar, Blair and I headed out for the bulk of our grocery shopping. On the way there I had to tell Blair that we were NOT going to be getting one of those ridiculous carts with the tv in it. He was ok with that. What I didn't realize is that my mother was lying in wait to spoil him and he came walking into the grocery like a peacock with his miniature Blair sized cart. He walked in all proud. My mom smiled and said 'what, its not the electronic cart'. LOL!!! Hilarious. All the way through the store Blair followed my mother around with his little cart and her with her list. He filled that sucker up and she marked off on her list, it was comical. Should have gotten a photo of that.That night we just sort of chilled out knowing that we would be going to the boardwalk in the morning. We had breakfast with Santa at the Aquarium restaurant and let me tell ya, that is surely going to become a quick tradition. He was a fabulous Santa! Not only did he walk up to our table 2x, but he SCUBA dived, and sat in his big chair for photos. Wonderful. Plus, the breakfast buffet was really good!

That evening we went to a place on the bay for dinner. Blair was good, Skylar, however is quickly becoming difficult to take out to eat. Blair hit this stage and it was miserable for me. The kids usually whine to me the most and I can't get a break. Luckily, they have a fabulous daddy and he helped a lot along with Nana. Skylar has proceeded to be difficult at each and every meal now. Sucks. I was kind of hoping for a kid that wasn't so difficult while going out to eat. Guess we'll have to wait for her to be 3 to be good at the table again. Until then, I'm sure we'll keep trying tp teach her to be a good girl at the table.

Christmas Eve we got fresh gulf shrimp for dinner, fabulous as usual. So fresh and goooood. A Seafood dinner has been in our family for years. We usually do King Crab, but we were all still full from earlier in the day. So, we saved the crab for a couple nights later. Blair and I made my Great Grandma Cora Costin's Orange Cookies for Santa. They were a HUGE HIT. Those are so freakin' good. It makes a big batch that I thought would never get eaten, but those suckers were gone in four days. We put Blair to bed after reading a couple of books. My favorite is about a Bear family that explains how Christmas is really about Christ. It really explains things to a three year old well. Using the beauty of the snow and sledding as examples of how God and Christ are everywhere.

Christmas morning was magical. We spoiled the children rotten and we loved every minute of it. The day was great. We let the kids open gifts all morning. Since they are still little they pretty much take their time. Blair not as much, he is getting the idea a bit more. Skylar took well into the evening to finish. They have loved playing with their things.

Later in the day we had our Beef Tenderloin, which turned out fabulous, mooing just the way my dad likes it...very good!

The following day we all headed out for some returns, etc. I took the amazing gift in that Chris got me to get sized. Since my fingers are tiny I have to get my band ordered special. I guess it needs to be poured to my size to that it all fits together correctly. It is an anniversary band. The jeweler is also spoiling me and letting me wear the band he got me until mine is in. It'll take a month. I can see the imperfection that is there, but it is hard to tell unless you look hard. It is very romantic and special. My husband has spoiled me. 10 years of marriage...16 of being together and that man still melts my heart to pieces.

We did some shopping, not too much, but enough to get Blair some things for next year. I have done that each and every year after Christmas. I know many wonder how I dress that kid to the 9s. It is because I shop AHEAD. I get things on clearance people! So this year....the kid abercrombie store was HALF OFF. Yes, entire store. So, Blair got some things. He will truly match his daddy now. Also, I got Skylar some things at the baby Gap for next year.

We all went and got some seafood lunch. It was so YUMMY! That night is a blurrr.....leftovers maybe?

The next day my brother, sister in law and the kids joined us! We went to the boardwalk for dinner. Intended on doing Red Sushi for the kids to sit at the Hibachi, but it was extremely busy. Weird. We did Aquarium and it was fabulous. The kids loved it and all the tanks to look at. Even though we had just done it, it was great to have the whole family.

The next day the girls all headed to the mall again to get a few things for Jenna. She is growing like a weed and she needed some news jeans and her mom wanted to hit up the half off sales! We then headed to Galveston and met up with the boys to have lunch at Joe's Crab Shack. It is a great spot in Galveston because it has a HUGE play area. The kids LOVED IT. The twins sat next to me and were SO MUCH FUN (I swear to you that Jenna and I will be going with them on spring break one day). They got a crab pot and they were fabulous!! They ate all their crab legs! I hope Skylar will try the things the Costin kids will try. I've given up hope on Blair at this point. He is too picky. Jack even ate some squid (calamari). Next up we went to the beach and got some great shots of everyone (photos will be up later today). Now onto the Strand! It was fun to shop in the little shops. Chris never lets me do that anymore down there and I was excited to partake. I didn't get anything but some milk for Miss Skylar. She was refusing her nap despite the wonderful stroller she was being strolled in. I totally would have slept had my mommy and daddy strolled me around!

We all headed back to the house for leftovers, pizza, beer and football. The next morning my brother and his fam said goodbye (tear) and set out for their ride home. The parents, gram and us all went to Outriggers for our goodbye lunch. It was a fabulous 70 degree day and we sat outside and ate fresh seafood, again. It was great and we have missed Nana, Papaw and Grandma Lois so much ever since....