The Austin Life: Christmas 2011

Christmas arrived early in our home this year, 3:18 am to be exact. I gave Alivia an old alarm clock to use so she would be sure not to wake us before 7. What was I thinking? At 3:18am, the half awake Alivia, the girl that can tell time during the day, awoke me from my sleepy sick stupor to inform me that something was wrong with the clock because it said it was 18 o'clock. Oh come on! Seriously! Of course it was THREE 18. I sent her back to bed where she stayed for 3 hours, probably awake because she did not want to mess up her bed and have to make it again. She woke up Addison and Asher just after 6am.

At 7:07am, the gifts were opened and done with. Seriously?! You shop, wrap, help Santa, and it lasts all but how long?!
They all started with their stockings and soon went to the prized gifts under the tree. Alivia tore open each present, quickly throwing it aside. Chris could tell she was getting mad because she was not opening the iPod she had asked for. Finally, Chris pulled out the iPod he had hidden for her to open. She was quite the little Diva. I do believe Santa should have just given her the iPod and the iHome speakers and called it good, since she can really care less about the other things.
Addison was a bit slower opening her presents, appreciating them more. She opened Cookie, the little dog she wanted, first. She could care less about the other things after that as Cookie and a few clothes was all she wanted from Santa. She also got speakers for her iPod shuffle, and she loves how it changes colors. She made a special spot in her room, like Alivia did, with her new big pillow from Aunt Marsha and her new speakers, and she just sits and chills to her music. Very cute.
Asher, meanwhile, was more interested and overwhelmed with all the noise from the girls. He did open, and was the last one to finish. He got a lot of building toys, taking a liking to his build a road set and his drill set. Santa seemed to hit the nail on the head this year (Thank you very much Santa!!). Asher still has toys he has yet to explore.
Chris and I had already given each other iPads, but filled our stockings with little things. Chris bought me some bling for my ears and a few gift cards. I bought him more pilot t-shirts as he never seems to have enough of them. And no, a kayak did not fit in his stocking. Amazingly, neither did the jeep or the airplane he has been begging for. I do believe Chris thinks he is married to someone else, someone wealthy. I must remind him that I hardly work, at least where I get paid. :)

I thought it was funny how Asher stacked and organized his toys as he opened them.

iPod Touch, at last!


Pippa, Chillin on the new pillow for Alivia from Aunt Marsha!

The kids with Grandma Bet and Boppa Bill

Meanwhile, Grandma Bet and Boppa Bill arrived dropping off their annual mother load of gifts under the tree before going to pick up Grandma Marci. The kids were so excited to tell Grandma and Grandpa about their new things from Santa.

Grandma Marci arrived, followed by a nice dinner in our hardly used dining room. It was nice to have our small little family together. We missed those that are in Heaven now and those that could not be there, but we were glad to be together. And, I feel lucky to have 99 year old Grandma Marci there to share Christmas with!

After dinner clean up, the kids could hardly wait to tear open more gifts. Grandma and Grandpa spoiled them with more clothes and toys. Addison had picked out a HUGE dog in the Sam's catalog for Grandma Bet. I had not heard anything about this. Grandma knew Santa would not get it as Santa does not go to Sam's and typically does not like HUGE things (although this HUGE dog is something even Santa likes!). Anyway, Grandma and Grandpa kept it in the garage since it was so big. Alivia thought that Addison then got more than she did since Addi got a gift after she and Asher were done opening. Sleepy Alivia turned into this crushed little girl sobbing in her room. I felt bad, but she was mostly tired and not being very nice to Grandma. Alivia is one that has no idea really what she wants until she does not get it. In other words, you can never win. She will really frustrate her future husband some day. Anyway, we solved this little problem with a diversion.

Off in the garage, Grandma and Grandpa had another surprise. You see, for Asher's birthday, he asked for golf cart. Grandma Bet and Grandpa Bill have Great Grandpa George's old golf cart and drive around the farm with it. I know, crazy, but fun. Asher (and the girls) love it! So Grandpa thought he would get the kids an ATV. Come on! They are 7, 5, and 4, way too young for that. And, above all else, it is not necessary, we do not have room and where the h-e-l-l would they drive an ATV around here! So, Grandpa decided on this big jeep. It is bigger than the smaller versions as he did not think Alivia would fit in them. He also decided he would give it to all of them to be fair.

Well, it has been a big hit. Daddy is feeling a little jealous that the kids got a jeep before him, but he will live. He is already researching ways to give this power wheels toy more power. Oh boy, watch out for the 4 year old on the Jeep in Shadow Lake!

The kids also got a Wii from Grandma Bet and Boppa Bill, the last known kids their age without one. Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Bob lined them up with a couple games to get started. So far, Alivia likes the Just Dance game and can't get enough of it. But, she is awful about not winning. We have to work on that one.

After the kids opened, Chris and I had a few things to open, too. Grandma always lines me up with some updates to my ever deteriorating wardrobe, while she helped Chris get ready for this kayak he keeps thinking he is getting in the spring to go on top of the jeep that he keeps thinking his is getting. :) You should have seen Chris playing with his new toys after the kids went to bed!

After presents, we then sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and shared a little "Angel" food cake. Yummy! That BC really makes some awesome cake! Grandma Marci was wiped (and so was I!), so the day soon came to a close.

It was a beautiful day. The weather was mild, which is a shocker for Christmas in Nebraska. We were so lucky to have such fair weather. We spent time together as a family, a loving family (after last year, I have to add the loving part). We could not have asked for more.

Merry Christmas!!