Christmas

Opening his first present

PRESENTS!

Putting out reindeer food

P loved the neighbors Santa!

We left on Dec 23rd to head to Corpus Christi at 9AM. I was very proud of myself for actually being ready by then. We were making great timing then we hit Fenton, LA where the Chief of Police was waiting for speeders and caught us doing 65 in a 50. He has nothing to say and never checked for insurance or registration, just wrote us a ticket. So we get back on the road and keep going. Parker did pretty good. He was watching his TV and he did eventually sleep for about an hour. When we get to Houston, we get pulled over again in a construction zone. This cop had a lot more to say! He asked Danny why he was speeding, where we were headed, how long we had been on the road, and then suggested that he let me drive, but thankfully only gave us a warning! Danny did tell him he had already gotten a ticket, so I think he felt sorry for us. Parker was in the back seat telling him "hey". So we get back on the road and we are cruising along and another cop flies up on our bumper! By this time I really wanted to cry! Danny dropped his speed and finally the cop moves on around us! Once we got out of Houston and on down the road, he pulled over to let me drive. About 3 hours before we got to Grandpa and Mimi's Parker started saying "my booty hurts, Momma" Poor little fella! He was such a trooper!

Once we got to Grandpa and Mimi's Parker was very happy to get out of the car, as were we! Mimi had us some supper ready so we ate and visited. Danny laid down with Parker after he played for a little while and rearranged Mimi's decorations!

The next morning Danny's alarm clock went off for some reason so P woke up around 7:30. Mimi and I ran to Wal-Mart to get a few things then we all headed into Corpus Christi. The water was beautiful! I wish I would have gotten some pictures, but I didn't. We never got a chance to stop and get out to walk along the beach. After searching for somewhere to eat lunch for 2 hours (everything was closed because it was Christmas Eve) we head back to Portland and eat at Chili's, which Danny and I both love! We got back to the house and we all took a nap! After Parker woke up we decided to go outside and put the reindeer food so Santa and his reindeer would find him.

Teresa and Kelly finally made it after a long trip for them. They had tire problems :( We ordered Pizza for dinner and had a good time visiting. Teresa and Kelly agreed to be back at the house by 7 on Christmas morning to see Parker open his Christmas presents. They were such troopers! Parker woke up right at 7 on Christmas morning! I had bought him some cute little Christmas pajamas but the weather was a little warm for those fleece jammies, so I changed him before we got started. He did so good opening his gifts. Once he opened his Santa gifts he stacked them all in a nice little stack. Grandpa and Mimi got him a Radio Flyer tricycle that he LOVES! I will be riding (at home) and I hear him saying bring bring... so cute! I think he learned that from one of his books. Grandpa's sister and her family came over and joined us for Christmas lunch. It was a great time and visit. We had a Wii bowling tournament after lunch. Danny was the over all winner and he even played the championship game left handed. We are all still convinced that he cheated some how! Anthony and his girlfriend Sarah had finally made it by this time. Sarah was actually one of the finalist in the championship game! All in all it was a great day! After Kathy and her family left we all just hung around a visited the rest of the day. Parker played outside with his new Texas A&M balls that his Grandma and Grandma Kelly had given him.

The next morning P woke up a little before 7. Danny wanted to leave between 9 and 10, but we didn't make it. I had to wake him up at 9:15! Once we finally got everything together and and loaded in the car and got on the road it was around 10:40. Parker did so good on the ride home. He slept for two hours and was never fussy! Danny kept the cruise control set at the speed limit but about half way home I look over and the speedometer says we are going 30 mph which I knew was wrong. Sometimes it does that. So the rest of the way home we drove pretty slow to make sure we didn't get above speed limit. We got home around 8. P was soooo glad to be home. He was WILD!!!! He ran around and played so hard before he had to get in the bath tub.

We had a wonderful time visiting with everyone! It was a long drive but so worth it just to have been able to spend the time with family!

Video of P opening his tricycle!