Life and Times of The Johnston family: Christmas Fun and a Family Party

Last week was ROUGH! both kids were off the wall crazy excited for Christmas, so I did my best to keep them occupied and somewhat under control. Monday they were super excited to decorate their graham cracker houses and they both did really well and really enjoyed it! We read Christmas books, sang Christmas songs, watched Christmas shows/movies and played outside a lot to pass the time! Elizabeth woke up painfully early all week(usually around 5 or 6 am)which made for some long hard days, but somehow we managed! Tuesday we made and decorated Christmas cookies, and all that other Christmasey aforementioned stuff. That evening was my parent's Christmas party. My mom cooked up a delicious Southern meal of grits, ham, Texas toast, hush puppies and jambalaya....yummmmmmmmm such good eatin'! After dinner it was present time and the kids were once again spoiled! We gave Daniel his gifts and Jen her gift, then she gave us and the kids gifts. Devin was beyond excited to unwrap BATMAN LEGOS!!(they were the first thing he played with). Elizabeth got a very fun Kinetic sand kit and two more packages of sand! She was thrilled, as she absolutely LOVES that stuff! Tony and I got TWO great gift cards which we were thrilled to have! Then my parents gave the kids their gifts, Devin got a Little People Skyway which he deemed "the coolest toy EVER!!" He also got a super fun play screwdriver set which he absolutely loves! Elizabeth got a realistic barbie like doll and a barbie doctor play set and a barbie car(she's been wanting a barbie car since her birthday!) She was very happy with them! Tony and I got lots of little things we've been needing or wanting, we were also very happy with everything! Jen and Tony's parents went in with us to get my parents a nice propane campfire to take with them on their travels in their motorhome! It was a great time with family! I must admit though I had to keep pushing away the thought that this time last year was the last I really had with my brother. Last party, last conversations, last picture.....last laughs, and I didn't even know it. Don't take ANYTHING or ANY DAY for granted because you just never know. Despite all those thoughts it was a great time spent together as family, it was a great night.

Monday....making(and eating) graham cracker houses!