It is safe to say that this Christmas was a little different than normal... we had a new baby, I was recovering from a C-section, BJ was in transition to a new job and family came to us. Although it was a quieter holiday, we were truly blessed with a lot of family time and that was the best gift ever. We did manage to take Eleanor on a small Christmas outing to Bass Pro Shops... they had a Santa and a carousel that we knew she would love. Honestly, besides going to see Santa at the Galleria with Lucy this was the only Christmas activity we did. WAH-WAH.
Uncle Benny and Auntie Kristen traveled to Washington for Christmas, so they came over a few days before to give Eleanor and Tripp their gifts.... opening this gift was just a small preview of the FUN we knew Eleanor would have this year!
I mean, she got the Popper... didn't we all have one of these when we were younger?!
On Christmas Eve, Pamie came to celebrate with us and showered Eleanor and Tripp with WAY too many goodies... Eleanor was in heaven. She was obsessed with her new boots, horse, tent, toys... I mean really, Pamie always overdoes it!
Christmas Morning... snuggle bug looks so sweet, but let's be honest... Christmas was ROUGH on the Rector clan. WE ALL got sick... Eleanor gave a cold to Daddy, who gave it to Tripp, who gave it to me.. needless to say, we went through about 4 boxes of Kleenex in just a few days. Not the best way to spend Tripp's first Christmas (and his one month birthday!) but we managed.
When Eleanor woke up, she came into our living room and was on complete sensory overload. The grandparents WAY OVERDID spoiling our babies this year... you can tell from this picture, but Eleanor got a bike, a horse and a wagon.... and that doesn't even dip into the amount of presents she opened (or Momma actually opened because she was too busy riding her horse, Lucky!).
"This is really for me, PawPaw??!!"
Outfit change and toy change.... every year we open pajamas on Christmas Eve, but Eleanor was asleep when we did so we had her open and change into them on Christmas day...
Eleanor wrapped in the new blanket her Nanna made for her...
.... AND, back to Lucky!
Our little Cowgirl.
Then, Eleanor discovered that she and Tripp got a wagon... and she was ready for a ride immediately.
Eleanor also got her first baby doll... on Christmas day, she named the baby "Katie".... but shortly after she renamed the baby "Tripp"... go figure.
Family picture... this is the best one!
And this is what the majority of them look like... imagine 6 other family members behind the camera singing "Happy Birthday" or the "1-2-3...." song.
The Rector Family
The Gross Family
Oops... we forgot Aunt Katie, but my kids were OVER pictures by this point.
We literally stayed in our pajamas ALL day... after gifts, we had a yummy brunch with some kind of breakfast casserole, quiche and the Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Rolls. YUM. We had a late lunch / early dinner with Lasagna... seriously, I loved everything I put in my mouth on Christmas day.
Tripper boy and Momma snuggling... probably watching the Cowboys getting beat, boo.
Grandpa and his twin, Tripp.
Eleanor was just a mess all day... I am pretty sure that next to her birthday, this Christmas was one of her favorite days of her life so far. It really wasn't just about the gifts, either... girlfriend LOVES her family and had a ball with her grandparents.
Is it bad that we are already looking forward to next Christmas??? I feel like I missed it.. the "Red" cups at Starbucks, Christmas lights, the crazy shopping malls.... I can't wait for it next year... and to see how much fun Eleanor and Tripp with have again!!
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