A Christmas Like No Other!

Mason had the MOST fun opening gifts this year! I mean, he would very frantically tear open that wrapping paper and as soon as he would see the gift his little mouth would go into that "O" shape and he would go "Oh, Wooooow!!!" He was in the most shock about every single gift. And then when he would see it again the next day, he repeated the cycle of shock like he had never seen it before in his life! This Christmas was so exciting for us, that BOTH sets of his grandparents came to our house on Christmas Day just to watch him open his gifts. Definitely different from last Christmas... he was just 7 1/2 months old and we would open the gifts for him and he just looked so serious the entire time. Of course the advantage was that we got all these sweet pictures of him sitting here super still in the middle of his presents; whereas this year he was running around all over the place throwing balls across the room so picture-taking was a little more chaotic! :)

This child has the most toys I have ever seen to the point where it is almost ridiculous! Marc and I have bought him maybe a total of 5 toys in his lifetime because the grandparents spoil him rotten with toys. And what I do buy him comes from consignment sales. I just feel so guilty for seeing these toys sprawled out all over our house knowing that they're just for ONE child! We could take them all to Honduras and share them with about 100 children! I'm brainstorming ways of how Mason can share his toys one day with children who do not have any... Like starting some kind of toy drive or something! Hmm.... The wheels are a' turnin'!

The special Santa gift this year was the bright red retro kitchen! I had the most fun researching kitchens online and waiting for "the one" to arrive! Marc wasn't too sure about getting a kitchen for our son, but I mean, what's wrong with it?? Mason will be a wonderful cook someday just like his Papa Jack! Both of my parents cooked regularly growing up and I think that is so neat that some of my favorite recipes were given to me by my Dad! Mason absolutely adores his kitchen! It is hilarious. The second he saw it he started pilfering madly with all of those pots & pans and fake food. He just went to town like he knew exactly what he was doing! He has this serious look on his face and is the busiest little thang. The cutest little apron came with it, so we put that on him on Christmas Day and he played for hours in it.

We always spend Christmas Eve with my dad's side of the family. This year my brother & sis-in-law hosted so Marc, Mason, and I loaded up and headed down to Nashville for the evening. I'm sharing a few pics from that night, and then more posts to come of Mason's Christmas adventures!

My Aunt Linny reading about the birth of Christ from the Bible... Part of our family tradition is having a devo, singing Christmas carols, and praying together on Christmas Eve. This is my favorite part!

Mason helping to clean up his own trash!

Mason opening his gift from cousin Steph, with a little bit of help from cousin Erica
Sneakin' away a few moments to snuggle with Great-Aunt Linny

MaMaw so excited about her new beautiful red sweater from my parents

Aunt Linny modeling her new Inital Outfitters necklace... I drew her name, which I do just about every year, so I was the most excited about picking out this necklace!

Mason had to bring one of his favorite Christmas books with us

My cousin Steph was in shock that she got this one-legged tripod!

Erica drew my name and got me this "ugly" sweater as she calls it... Her motto is that anything she hates, I love. Thank you.

The whole family seriously discussing the Nascar wall decals that Marc got Jason... Everyone was trying to figure them out.

Thank you Great-MaMaw for my new peg puzzles!! How did you know that these are my new favorite things??

Oh, Woooow!! Lots of food from cousin Steph for my new kitchen that I don't know I'm getting! He got it the next morning from Santa. I told my family that this is the last year we can get away with doing this! :)

MaMaw with her grandkids, grandkids-in-law, and little great-grandbaby

MaMaw got Mason the cutest little personalized bib & Santa hat! He looked sooo cute in them!

Playin' with Papa Jack

My parents surprised Jody & Christy with Jody's little red chair! Their little baby-to-be will be sitting in it this time next year!

What did I tell you about the look of shock that has been on my little boy's face for the last week?!?!

I mean, I have NEVER seen anymore more excited about a gift than my brother was when he opened this hunting gun from my parents and Marc & me! We've been conivin' for months about this gift. It's been "living" in our office in our house and has been giving me the most nightmares! I'm so glad it's finally outta here!

Wittle bitty sockies I got for Christy's baby in the tummy!

My mom in complete shock about the Nikon camera we got her! She is a professional photographer but hasn't had a digital one since she's from the film "era" of developing her own pics in the darkroom. We figured it's time she gets with the latest technology! Ha! She needs this camera to take lots & lots of pictures of her grandbabies!

Marc got this special Bible for my dad ... Marc has one of his own that he has been loving for several months, so he wanted to share it with our dads this Christmas.

Mason was SO excited about his new set of bowling pins from Papa Jack & Nana Kay!

Another Initial Outfitters purchase I was the most excited about! Christy went crazy over her new giraffe-print jute handbag! And you just may even see me walking around with one of these perched up on my shoulder!

Stay tuned for pictures of Chef Mason! :)