Holiday Happening #1: Halvorsen/Schalfer Family Christmas
On the 20th of Dec, we gathered to celebrate Christmas with Justin's family, which of course was totally fun because I got to hold babies and play with McKayla. McKayla was SO much fun this year! She definitely understood everything that was going on, and could not wait to get to the presents. The only thing that was confusing her was that she thought it was already Christmas Eve. It's not easy to explain to a 3-year-old why we are having "Christmas' when it's not really Christmas yet =). But, as long as she got presents, she was fine with everything. We even snapped a photo of Justin with both babies, which I will happily post below =). I must say, he looks good with a baby (though I prefer just one at a time, not two!). We all had a great evening, and can't wait until the twins are older too, and then the fun will really begin!!
Justin happily holding both twins!!
A GREAT pic of me and McKayla...just before I snapped it she exclaimed "I'm Smiling!"...we think she was trying to make a funny face (she's been into that lately), but it didn't turn out quite right =)
Holiday Happening #2/Travels to NE: Long Family Christmas
On the 22nd, we dropped the doggies off at the vet for boarding (poor Mozart was SO terrified, you would have thought we were dragging him to the gallows or something!) and then headed to the airport with the grand plan (my plan no less) to get on an earlier flight out of Austin in order to arrive in NE at 9:30pm rather than 12:30 am. So, we arrived, got on standby, got our luggage checked and then proceeded to sit at the airport for FOUR hours. Fun. It turns out that the flight we were on for standby was going to be delayed to take off later than our original flight. Crazy. So, of course, we stayed with our original seats. This was all fine and good because our plane was actually early to arrive in Denver so we rushed to the gate to see if we could still catch the earlier flight out of Denver to Omaha (we had about 10 minutes to spare). Luckily, we were still on the standby list for that flight, so we hopped onto the plane, called my parents to let them know we would be in Omaha soon, and away we went. Unfortunately, away our luggage did not go...apparently it got held back and was put on the original standby flight that left later than our flight. Silly, silly, silly. Oh well, we survived the two days with no luggage. Luckily, we were at my parents house where they happily provided contact cases, solution, toothbrushes, etc. Of course, I can't say I particularly enjoyed wearing an Amsterdam sweatshirt around town...though Justin was even less fond of the "Let Freedom Ring" sweatshirt he got stuck with =). He was very patriotic for Christmas this year! Anyhow, our luggage arrived Christmas Eve afternoon, just in time for us to get ready and head out to church. I asked my family to go to a different church this year, the church that my grandma went to, my mom grew up in and both Justin and I and my parents were married in. I wanted to visit them again, and it is such a sweet, small little congregation. It was really wonderful and the pastor was so happy to see us again, it was pretty cool. After church, we enjoyed our annual homemade soups and crackers for dinner, and then all headed to bed. We were pretty tired. Christmas Day was really wonderful this year (though I sort of feel bad saying that, since my brother was not there this year, although I'm sure him not being there is NOT the reason it was such a good day!). We took our time opening gifts, and then were pretty lazy the rest of the day (except mom who made us a wonderful dinner!). All in all, some good relaxing, family time. On Friday, my parents, Justin and I headed down to Atlanta (NE, NOT OH) for the big "Long Family" Christmas get together. We don't do this every year, but they try to do it when my uncle from CO is in town. So, I got to see some cousins that I haven't seen in quite a few years, and got to try and keep track of all their kids. I think I have over 20 cousins, and some of them have like four of five kids...it's crazy. Most of all it was just nice to see my grandma though, and catch up with a few of my "favorite" cousins. Justin of course, was totally bored most of the time...but he is a good sport about it all =). After that, we headed back to GI to pack up for the big drive back to TX.
Dad, Mom and me with Grandma Long
Me with my most favorite puppy in the WHOLE world-Gizmo-I tried to snag him and steal him away to TX...but Reanna wouldn't let me!
Holiday Happening #3: Long Family in TX =)
As has become a sort of tradition, Justin and I fly up to NE and then my parents drive us back so they can enjoy a few days of TX weather (and so my dad can golf lots). My mom and I enjoy the time together hitting the after Christmas sales, and dad loves the beautiful golfing weather. This year, to add to the fun, Justin's aunt and uncle from NC had come to visit his parents. Justin had not seen this aunt and uncle for at least 15 years (from what he could remember...they're not a super close family) and of course I had never met them. So, upon returning from NE (one day after a LONG 13 hour car ride), we hosted his aunt and uncle and parents for dinner. It turned out to be a lot of fun. His aunt is very outgoing (nothing like his father), and she told lots of good stories. I was a little nervous about the whole thing, but in the end everything was great. The next couple of days were spent shopping and hanging out with my parents, while poor Justin had to go back to work. On New Year's Eve, we said farewell to my parents as they headed up to see Justin and Katherine and celebrate Christmas/New Year's with them.
Holiday Happening #4: Ringing in the New Year
And to wrap up this year's holiday happenings...our very quiet (not boring) new year's eve celebration. This year Justin and I decided that we would spend New Year's Eve just the two of us, since we had spent so much time traveling, with our families, etc over the holidays. So, we rented some movies and settled in on our couch for a movie marathon. Sad to say, I fell asleep by about 10:00pm =)....but, I did wake up just before midnight so we were able to ring in the new year. The best part was all the fireworks around in the neighborhood totally scared Sierra so she had to sleep right next to Justin's side of the bed all night, and would not go to her own doggie bed. It's just too funny because she is really a super macho dog, not girly at all, but when it comes to fireworks she just can't stand it!
Well, that wraps up our holidays this year. I hope you all had a wonderful, blessed time with your family and have a wonderful 2009!!!
