We have travelled to and from Georgia for Christmas again! Our 2010 Christmas was a BLAST! We couldn't have made it any better if we tried. Eden enjoyed everything and actually helped to open some of her gifts. Having all kinds of new toys made us realize that "Christmas excitement" isn't just for older people who understand Christmas, because Eden didn't sleep much on Christmas day and she stayed up late that day too.
In preparation for Christmas day we had lots of fun activities to partake in. One of the first was cookie decorating party at Pat and Paul's (Aunt Nana and Uncle Papa) house. Pat started the tradition when Parker and I were kids and it's still going strong with Pat and Paul's grandchildren now. We had lots of fun with cousins and second cousins and aunts and uncles while we prepared the cookies, the icing, and while we decorated the cookies.
After decorating cooked at Aunt Nana's house we spent the rest of the week meeting up with friends and family and just kind of laying low. Lane's childhood friend, Mark, came over to see Eden and came bearing gifts. Lane, Parker, Sara, and Mark went to a shooting range later that day and thoroughly enjoyed themselves! While they did that Eden and I stayed at home with Mimi and Pop and didn't do much of anything. On Christmas Eve Eve we went and spent the night at Grandma and Grandpa's house. That was lots of fun and Lane and I were able to stay up with Grandma and Grandpa and play Phase 10. It wasn't the same because Lane's siblings and Tommie weren't there, but we still had a good time!
One night during the week Parker, Sara, Lane and I went to the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds to see a new light show that they have. It was set to music and you drove through it at your own pace. It was lots of fun, and it was beautiful. After seeing the lights you're able to go to Santa's Village and roast marshmallows and just hang around and see everything - which wasn't that much. We were able to make the most of the village and we got lots of laughs.
On Christmas Eve we did the traditional dinner at Pat and Paul's house with all of the extended family. As always the food was AWESOME and this year Eden out-ate everyone. Lane and I took the requested banana pudding, pumpkin roll, and deviled eggs. While we were there Eden played with cousins while they ran the train around the tree. Eden made sure that the cars were all in place around the village around the tree, but only after she tasted each one of them!
On Christmas morning Eden woke up and had breakfast before we went in to see what Santa brought her. She was good this year, so Santa brought her a walking toy, some stack 'n surprise blocks, books, a stuffed dog, and even some new sippy and snack cups. There was no shortage of gifts from Santa this year! After opening gifts from Santa, Aunt Nana, Uncle Papa, Grandma, and Grandpa came over to Mimi and Pop's house for Christmas brunch. Brunch, as always, was fabulous and filling.
Of course one big meal over the holidays isn't enough, so Lane, Eden and I went to Grandma and Grandpa's house that afternoon and had another meal! Grandma did a traditional Christmas dinner and it was just a fabulous and just as filling as brunch was. The Christmas ham was accompanied by some SNOW! You heard me, SNOW...in Georgia! Rumor has it that Georgia hasn't had a White Christmas since the late 1800s, and we had one this year - on Eden's first Christmas. We will forever be able to tell her that her first Christmas made history!
When Eden woke up from her nap the snow had accumulated and she was able to reach out and pick it up. Of course when she picked it up, she put it right in her mouth. Eden eats everything, so it was no surprise to us that she wanted to eat the snow. After she did it once, she went back for more, and more, and more! She loved the idea of snow and having wet, cold hands didn't bother her one bit!
