The first night we got to my parents house (after 2 flights), we went to Logan's Steakhouse for dinner (one of my favorite restaurants) and then home for this little surprise to go with Brylee's new black and white-themed room:
This kid LOVED having her own Christmas tree that she could touch all she wanted, and even took advantage by taking off the little ornaments and placing them back on throughout the time we were there. And her T and Poppy even gave her a special electrical cord that let her turn it on and off safely for her! What a great little surprise for her!
On Wednesday (our first full day there), Cary, Brylee and I went to Central Market where we picked up some tea for Brenda and then trekked over to Irving for my first visit to In-N-Out burger. Tasty, but somehow I don't see the greatness that it is, except for the nostalgia. But I know I would go berserk if Chick-Fil-A came here, so I can see why some were excited.
That evening, mom swung us by this really cool, decorated house that was in a town just outside of Lewisville. The owner of the house was outside, greeting his 'stalkers' and was incredible enough to hand out candy canes to the little kids that visited, and if they were young, or cute, enough, they got a little additional surprise; a little stuffed animal. Brylee got a cute little lamb!
Here's where the non-fun time occurred: On Thursday morning, starting at about 2 a.m., Cary was restless and then I learned later that mom became restless at the same time...turns out that they both had the chicken fried steak at Logan's, which leads us to think they had food poisoning. Blech!
So Thursday found Brylee and I out and about, going to the grocery store and just doing whatever we could so that mom and Cary could rest. Dad brought home lunch for me and Brylee that day while mom and Cary avoided food altogether. In fact, Cary claimed a fruit-only-forever diet that day...which lasted, well, a day. With him eating 1 orange...
Friday found both mom and Cary feeling better, so we attempted to go out briefly to the mall to find Brylee a casual Christmas outfit, but it was short-lived before we headed back home for them to rest more. It was also the day Cary, Brylee and I were to meet Brad, Faith, and Helen for our Christmas gathering, but Cary cancelled due to lingering nastiness.
Saturday found Cary feeling much better, which is good because it was Christmas Eve, and with a visit to Denton Square Donuts, church and then the Jarvis family gathering, he needed to to be healthy.
Too bad my dad wasn't. He ended up spending the day at home, sleeping and resting while mom, Cary, Brylee and I went to the pre-planned activities.
Two of three of the Christmas dresses that Brylee had this year...2 were donated, so no I didn't go overboard!!!
(she loved turning this Christmas tree on and off, too!)
The Jarvis Family gathering:
On the way home, we found this incredible house that was crazy-lit and 'danced' around with the music playing. So overdone, but yet so much fun!
Christmas morning found all feeling better, so we were happy and eager to open gifts. Cary and I actually jumped on Brylee's bed to wake her up, since we know she'll be returning the favor soon enough.
Santa brought Brylee a cute teddy bear and a Barbie, and she was spoiled rotten so with so many other gifts, including bath toys, a remote controlled car, learning toys, and fruit!
And starting here, you can see pictures taken with my NEW CAMERA!!!!!!!!! Oh, I am in love with this! It has so many excellent features, including settings for kids and pets, special effects, and even a simple touch-button video!
(I love how my NEW CAMERA captured her hair flying up as she is jumping...greatness for such a high-energy kiddo!)
(Look at the fun miniature effect, which blurs out everything surrounding the main focal point...so fun!)
No family gathering is complete without some silliness, including the breaking of a foot on the pug ornament I got my grandparents...silly Cary!
My aunt Amy got a fun toy for her phone:
And my adorable little cousin and his family (of course my grandparents and Bill) came over and had a great time with a delicious lunch, lots of gifts, and tons of laughter. So much fun!
December 26th brought us shopping, movies, and more shopping! One of Cary's Christmas gifts was a new coat because his leather jacket unfortunately got a rip in it, so I was going to get him a new one, but I wanted him to choose it. He actually went with a wool coat instead of leather, but only after going to 2 malls, catching a movie in between (Sherlock Holmes 2!) and going back to one of the malls to check to make sure it was still what he wanted...and I even walked away with a new coat of my own, too!
December 27th brought a busy, busy day!
First, Brylee's 2 year check-up, which didn't have shots, but did have bloodwork because the doctor was concerned about Brylee's lack of gaining weight. She wanted to make sure the tot didn't have liver, kidney, celiac disease, or even cystic fybrosis. The best treat of this whole thing is that Brylee was AMAZING while the nurses drew blood...not a bit of a struggle or crying until the last few seconds because by this time, the needle had been in her arm long enough. My big girl! (turns out the bloodwork is normal, and she is just a 'picky eater'...no surprise there!
We had lunch with Cary's aunt Peggy at Chili's, and the evening took us to the Galleria, where we met with Brad, Faith, and Helen for our postponed Christmas celebration!
We had intentions on ice-skating at the Galleria, but with a long line the entire time we ate, we decided to head over to Starbucks and do our gift exchange there.
December 28th...I hate last days. I'm sad and cry-y all day, and the day flies by as well. But lunch at Fat Daddy's with both parents made it a little nicer...
And dinner at Spring Creek Barbeque...with ice cream for Brylee afterwards!
(more fun-effect pictures...)
Thursday, we got home from our crazy whirl-wind (?) vacation to see what Santa brought us here!
New Year's Eve brought us our gathering with Cary's parents, where we were spoiled...yet again...I got a KINDLE!!!
I need to gather all of the gifts together and take pictures to post, but many are being shipped from Texas, so we'll see what I can do for another post.
Until then, may 2012 bring you blessings that exceed your expectations!
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