Christmas 2011

All the hustle and bustle of the holidays is winding down now. The house looks like it was hit by a tornado - but it's still filled with happy memories.

We had a great holiday this year. My parents flew in from California on Thursday. We went to Hoovers for dinner and met some of my aunts and uncles so they could catch up with my parents and brother.

My aunt Meri and Mom.

My Aunt Betsy & my Mom.

From Left to Right: My cousin Staci, Tom (Lela's hubby) and Cousin Lela

CHEERS! Our family toasting to recent accomplishments & seeing each other

The next day we headed down to San Antonio, TX. The original plan was to just see the lights down at the River Walk in the evening. But we made it a day trip and added a few things along the way. This year Brad is studying Texas History in school. So we went to the Alamo and saw a few historical things. Brad's first reaction inside the Alamo...."This isn't the Alamo - it's much bigger" It's amazing how children can make the idea of something in their heads much bigger than what it is in reality.

Bradley & The Alamo

I snapped a couple of photos in front of the giant TX themed Christmas tree in front of the Alamo with my parents

My parents, Brad & brother Ben

I loved all of the buildings and the grounds around the Alamo...

The Alamo

Wall - outside the Alamo

The bell above the door - Gift Shop/Museum @ the Alamo

Me and my little family on the Alamo grounds

 
After, we headed down to what my mom called "El Mercardo." Translation: Market Square or El Mercado - a Mexican themed square filled with shopping and dining. It had a couple shops with some cute items. There was one shop where I fell in love with something for my fireplace...but I didn't want to spend all that money before Christmas. Other than that - once you've seen one shop, you've seen them all. It's a fun place though. We met up with my aunts, uncle and cousins here.

Mexican pennants - El Mercado

Beautiful pottery

Ben & I waiting for Mom to finish going through all the shops.

Once we caught up with the rest of our family...the aunts & my mom decided a "5 block" tour of a street with old historic homes would be fun.

Betsy & my mom conspiring with their map on this "5 block" tour

We headed to the trolly-bus stop and purchased our tickets to take us to the neighborhood. Just as the trolly was about to pull away...my family realized they left a sister behind in El Mercado. My poor aunt Cory was left wandering the shops while all of us were just about ready to leave her behind. Betsy, my mom and Ben got off and found her and we all met up at the transfer stop.

We walked the streets filled with old, beautiful, historic homes. Ben had a broken toe and my 9 year old son weren't too happy about it. But it didn't last too long.

The houses were beautiful!

The boys were not happy on our trek back to the River Walk...

Just look at the happy expressions on my husband and brother's faces

We ended up eating down by the River Walk then headed home.

Christmas morning was wonderful. Brad slept in a bit (which allowed my brother to sleep in a little longer).

Good Morning Sunshine!

Brad's dramatic fall to the floor after he opened his iPod Touch

Parents (Mom with the journal I created for her)

Rob - the crazy cat guy - and Cleo

We opened presents, had breakfast and then started preparing the food we were bringing over for Christmas dinner to my aunt and uncles house for a BFD (Big Family Dinner).

The boys (Rob, Brad, Ben, Aaron, Keith, Andrew) playing hackey sack

Hydrangeas - my granny's fav flower- were placed at all the tables at dinner

Chow Time!

All the sisters chatting.

Me, my parents, and brother (photo courtesy of Steve Shepardson)

It was a great Christmas. It was very busy...but brought a lot of great memories. For more photos of our wonderful time together, click here!



All Photos, except where credited are mine