Always In With the Akin's: Christmas 2010

We began celebrating Christmas with the George family on the 23rd. It was at my parent's house, and we had a lot of fun! We had a spread of Mexican food that was so good! We played dirty Santa. I got The Blind Side, and I was pumped! Jeff read the Christmas story. 2010 Christmas with the George's was a success!

My Uncle Jeff really got into all of the gifts that Jace received...he "helped" him open them :)

Grandma & Papa George got Jace his very own tricycle

Brooke, Lakyn & I

Paige, Lakyn, Brooke, and I had an unsuccessful attempt at making a gingerbread house. It was one of those kits...we decided we would try again next year...and use the hot glue gun FIRST this time instead of that horrible icing!

Jace with Grandma & Papa George

Paige & Jace playing with Jace's new baseball toy

Now we move to Christmas Eve. Jeff, Jace, and I hung out at our house all morning finishing last minute things that needed to be done. In the early afternoon, we went over to Jeff's parent's house to celebrate Christmas with them. Jeff's mom made a traditional lunch and Jeff's dad fried a turkey. We played a game, guessing a variety of Christmas carols. We finished up our celebration opening gifts and eating dessert...I forgot to mention that Jeff's Aunt Kathy makes the best apple pie in the entire world!!!

This is Daniel, Jeff's cousin. Jeff's dad got him a Barbie for Christmas as a joke...and this was his expression when he opened it...it was pretty funny!

Jeff's dad likes to make it hard for people to get into their presents...so this year Jeff and I decided that we would make it a little harder on him with about 40 layers of tape!

This was Jeff's rocking chair when he was little. Jeff's parent's re-finished it for Jace for Christmas.

I thought this picture was cute. Jace and Aunt Kathy were playing "drums" with one of Jace's gifts.

When we finished up Christmas with Jeff's family, we went to the Christmas Eve candle light service at church. This is one of my favorite Christmas traditions that our family has carried on for as long as I can remember. I love to go and sing Christmas carols with a group of believers...taking a break from chaos...and focusing on the Father...the real meaning of Christmas. We met Brooke and John at the church. My mom and dad were not feeling well on Christmas, so they decided to stay at home and rest in hopes to feel better.

Christmas Eve @ mom and dad's

After the Christmas Eve service, we all went to my parent's house for a few snacks and just to hang out. Usually we play games, but b/c mom and dad weren't feeling well, we just hung out and enjoyed each other's company. And of course we all opened our Christmas Eve gift....pj's!!! Every year since I was born, my mom gets us pj's to wear on Christmas morning! After we visited, Jeff, Jace, and I went home and went to bed to have Christmas at our house on Christmas morning.

Jace & Daddy on Christmas morning

Jace didn't quite understand this whole Christmas thing...but he and Daddy enjoyed playing with the wrapping paper and finding out what was inside.

@ Nonni & Poppa T's on Christmas morning...by now, he was figuring this thing out, and he was really excited!

golf clubs from Auntie Brooke and Uncle Johnny

Christmas pj's :)

This was Jace's big present from Nonni and Poppa T...when he saw it when we walked in the door, Jace said "WOW!" It was SOOOO cute!

The boys and I went home to get ready, and we headed to Booneville for the rest of the day to celebrate Christmas with my family.