Merry Christmas!

(I had typed this up on Christmas day, but for some reason it had never posted...I found it in my "drafts"...so here ya go!)

Merry Christmas~

It doesn't really feel like Christmas to me.  Stephen had to work today.  He left around 6 this morning and wont be back until around 7:30 or 8 tonight. :-( 
It's been a very looong morning already.  It feels like it should be about Noon at least, and it's only 9am.  Geesh.
So I just keep reminding myself to be thankful that God has blessed him with a great job, and he loves his job.  That makes it worth it.  Plus we have friends who are overseas, and their families are without them during the holidays...boy that puts things into perspective....we are truly blessed.  At least we WILL see him tonight.

We had Christmas Eve at my Nanny's house yesterday.  Stephen was working and didn't get to go, but I brought him home a plate of food, and his presents.  He hasn't opened his presents yet though, they are under the tree.

My cousin is pregnant with twin boys!  She looked so adorable!  She is due in June, but the doctor says they are aiming for making it to May...  She also brought us a bunch of (their son) Jared's clothes/shoes/belts/coat that he has outgrown.  They actually fit Levi perfectly!  The boys loved getting to play with Jared while we were there. 
My aunt Linda and uncle Ken were also there..as well as my other cousin Scott.  It was so nice to see everyone.  Aunt Linda brought me her Polaris running watch/heart rate monitor/shoe clip mileage-speed tracker.  It is SO AWESOME!!!!  I can't wait to figure it all out.  I think I might need to start reading the manual and go for a run today and try it out.  :-) 
I got to see my brother and his wife.  They have both been smoke-free for about two months!  I am SO PROUD of them!!! His oldest daughter is now 15! Yikes!  Where does the time go? I swear she should still be 11 or 12...
My Nanny had to work until 4pm yesterday.  She was exhausted by the time she got home, but everything was cooked and ready when she got there.  I enjoyed getting to visit with her last night.  I don't get to do that nearly enough.  We are talking about planning a girls trip this spring or summer.  We took one a long time ago, when I was pre-teen.  My Nanny, her sisters, and her mother, along with my mother, me, and one of Nanny's sisters daughters who was around my age.  We had all taken a trip to Branson, and watched shows, went shopping, etc.  It was so much fun, and so full of memories! 
So we decided it's been to long, and we should make new memories. Nanny's mother, and all but one of Nanny's sisters have passed away in the recent years.  So we decided it's definitely time to do a get away again, before we no longer have the option.  Mom and I decided we WILL make it happen in 2011, instead of just talking about it.  I can't wait.  I love spending time with my Mom and my Nanny...maybe we can even talk her sister Barbara into going with us too.  Aunt Barbara was my favorite of my nanny's sisters...and Seth's favorite too.  When she was at Nanny's a few years back, when my Papaw passed away, Seth really took to her.  He was always talking about his 'favorite aunt barbara'. LOL!  He left quiet an impression on her too I think.
Two summers ago, I was able to go up and take Nanny to her eye surgery and stay with her for a few days after.  It was so nice to have that time with her.  I didnt' even realize it had been that long ago though.  But ya know, last night when talking about the girls-get-away, she said she felt so selfish for wanting us to do something like that with her, because she is taking us away from our families.  I told her no way is that selfish...I personally "need" the get-away from time to time (to maintain my sanity, living with all these boys! LOL!)  Plus SHE is our family too, and we want to spend time together with her, every chance we get.
My mom let all the women choose a Bath & Body works lotion.  And my Aunt Linda let all the women choose a Bath & Body works tingly lip gloss.  Then my Nanny let all the women choose a set of kitchen towels that she made for us.  She also gave me a set of Flour Sack Towels. Yea!!! Love Christmas presents!  :-)
I got a super cute new black purse and scarf from my brother and his wife.  Love it!!!      
My mom gave the boys each a set of books, and a movie.  They also each got a pillow pet from Nanny, which they slept on the whole way home! LOL!  My brother gave them each a Airhogs Hovercraft thingy.  They LOVE it!