Christmas 2011

This Christmas was really fun!  Just warning you...this is a picture heavy post!  Josh was SO excited to visit Santa and sit on his lap.  He was very helpful in decorating not only our tree, but helped MeMe decorate her tree as well.

Putting the angel on our tree at home :)

Helping decorate MeMe's tree

December is always a very busy month for us!  Mike's company Christmas party, Christmas with Granny Hudec, Grandma Pilcik and both our immediate families.  It can be a bit overwhelming at times, but I still LOVE the joy that comes with Christmas!  To add to the 'pot' a little this year, I volunteered to make kolaches for Mike's customer treats/gifts (10 dozen of them)...BUT we survived it all and have some great memories to remember from Christmas 2011.

First, we had Christmas with Granny Hudec on December 10th.  It was in Angleton, TX this year at my cousin's house.  The kids had a great time running around in the dry creek bed and Josh loved playing on the swing set.  Instead of buying gifts for everyone, we started doing a little gift exchange several years ago (like White Elephant).  This year each family was asked to bring whatever they could fit into a quart size mason jar.  Some of the contents were candy, cookie mixes, batteries, & markers.  Everyone was pretty creative with their 'fillings'.

The following weekend on December 17th, we had Christmas with Grandma Pilcik.  Again, the kids had fun playing outside, watching the cows and playing around the fish pond (and feeding the fish).  We took a generational picture...4 generations of Pilcik women :)

Me, Grandma Pilcik, Addie & Mom Hudec

Then, on Christmas Eve after we went to the Children's services at church, we put out some cookies & milk for Santa and some carrots for the reindeer.  We also hung Santa's special key on the backdoor (since we don't have a fireplace). 

Santa's helpers had a lot of work to do after the kids went down for the night!  It was cold & drizzly, but we got it all done!



It took us about an hour, but we did it & tested it out to be sure it was safe :)

Santa came!!!!



Full stockings...

The BEFORE...

  

Santa's note to us

Christmas morning, Mike & I woke up before either of the kids (but we didn't mean to)...guess we were more excited to see Josh's reaction than he was to see what Santa brought him :-)  In any case, I started on breakfast.  When Josh came out of his room, he was very surprised, but the first thing he mentioned was "Addie got a stroller!"  He didn't even notice the blue bike that he'd been asking for.  Finally, after scanning the 'loot' he noticed it and wanted to ride it immediately.  So, he did!

 

Opening presents!!!  Josh was VERY much into opening the presents this year and what was in the boxes (not just the boxes themselves).  Addie LOVED the tissue paper!

The AFTER...

 

The kids' Christmas gifts in a nutshell :-)

After we cleaned up, we played with our new toys, ate some lunch, took naps, then got ready & drove back down to Rosenberg for Christmas with Grammy & Poppy's (my parents) house in Rosenberg, TX. Josh got to bring a few of his toys with him, but we knew he'd have more to play with the next day :-)  The kids always have a good time when they get together to play and this Christmas was no different!  Josh & Addie love spending time with their cousins...Taylor, Bryce & Ethan!!

Josh playing the "wise man" part

Addie meeting her new friend "Howdy"

And last, but certainly not least, after the first of the year, we celebrated Christmas with MeMe & Grandpa (Mike's parents) in Conroe, TX.  This year we choose to do a more casual approach...late lunch/early dinner & I think it worked out great.  The kids were able to take a nap and were recharged & ready to go when everyone showed up!  Josh & Addie were both 'hamming' it up for the camera!

He is such a cheese!!!!



If you're happy & you know it, clap your hands!!!

As you can see, Christmas was busy and all over the place, but we had a great time & wouldn't trade any of it for the memories we created!!