Christmas with Grandpa Kelly!

We had a really great Christmas. It was adorable watching the kids enjoy their joy and happiness that comes with Christmas. It was made even better to have my dad here for two weeks. I've really missed our family and holidays are always the times I miss them the most, but this year, we had family here for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas! Hooray for having a baby in the fall. :)

On Christmas Eve, Brett had to work the evening shift, so we kept things pretty chill. Kayla watched a few Christmas shows, we made cookies for Santa, and had pizza for lunch. The kids went to bed, and after Brett got home, we helped Santa set up his presents. 

Poor Kayla was sick all through Christmas. She had a runny nose and even spiked a fever on Christmas Day, but aside from being a little grumpy, she was such a champ. 

Kayla loves seeing Santa Claus on television or in pictures, but the reality of him struck fear into her heart like nothing else. I kept telling her that Santa was coming to bring her presents and she'd cry out "NO!" I would reassure her that she wouldn't see him and that he'd be gone before she woke up, which seemed to ease her fears a bit. We wrote a note for Santa and Rudolph and left them each a treat. I think Kayla was more excited about the reindeer coming than Santa! 

On Christmas morning, we got to sleep in until almost 8. Tyson woke up first, and Kayla soon after. I quickly threw the cinnamon rolls that rose over night into the oven so they'd be ready to eat after presents. When we brought Kayla out to see her presents, she was so excited! The first thing she shouted was CHAIR! She got a new table and chair for her room that she can play at and color on. 

This is her with all of her presents, but I forgot to take a picture of the gifts with Santa's addition. 

We pointed out that Santa ate some of his cookies and Rudolph ate most of his carrots. I was sure she would snag a cookie, but she grabbed the half eaten carrot before opening presents. Funny girl. 

Tyson was his happy self and after watching us open a few presents, he peacefully slept through the rest of it in his bouncer while Christmas happened around him. 

Don't worry, I dutifully ate his candy so he could have it later. :)

Our little family on Christmas morning. 

Grandpa got his gift before he came because it was easier to ship it then for him to take him in luggage, but we printed photos of the kids and he got a few new ties. I have no doubt that he loved helping Kayla open her gifts though. About halfway through, she got kind of bored, so we stopped and had breakfast. I feel almost guilty that she had so many gifts that she couldn't appreciate them. In reality, she didn't even have that many, but I don't ever forget how blessed and lucky we are. 

Tyson's gifts

Brett's gifts

Heather's gifts

Before my dad came, he had the mast plan to create this for us. He confided in Brett to help execute it. We went to Hobby Lobby and I knew they were up to something. I finally convinced them to let me in on their secret so I could help out a bit. I gave a little guidance and instructions and chose the colors and design, but the boys did most of the work and I love how it turned out!

We had a delicious dinner of ham, rolls, sweet potatoe casserole, stuffing muffins, jello pretzel salad, green bean casserole, and au gratin potatoes. We were stuffed but had festive green key lime pie for dessert later that night. 

Christmas photo ops!

This little guy is becoming really smily and I LOVE it! He's such a happy baby and coos endlessly. He loves attention and we love giving it to him!

   

We drove out to Hidalgo to see the lights, Kayla really loved it this year and got excited about all the different characters. It was actually quite chilly and rainy which felt a little more festive. We waited until after Christmas so the crowds would be less and it was really nice, 

She loved the Frozen sign the most!

      

Doing the tango like the lights behind us. :)

We kissed in front of a giant row of kisses, unfortunately my dad
accidentally cut the kisses out of the picture. 

We decorated giant gingerbread men and Kayla loved it! She wanted to eat all the candy, but had a good time making hers cute. Brett got a little competitive and his was definitely the best one. ;)

                  

The kids had a blast with Grandpa and he was a big help to have around, especially with everyone getting sick except him. Brett and Kayla had it the worst and Brett was told he had mono by the doctor, although I don't really believe it since he wasn't tested. Tyson had a cough, but thankfully, it never progressed to anything to be too worried about and the kids are both fine now. 

We also went to this new place in Pharr called The Main Event. They have arcade games, bowling, laser tag, etc. We bowled and had so much fun! Kayla even loved it. This place was legit. You could program it so the bumpers came up only on the kids and you could take a selfie so your picture popped up when you bowled. I really loved it and we'll definitely be going back. 

Brett was the winner and poor Grandpa got beaten by a 1 year old. Haha!

We found her a 6 pound ball and she was so proud of herself carrying it around and dropping it down the ramp. 

   

   

We also rented Just Dance 2015 and had some fun getting some exercise and dancing around together. It was a great holiday despite Brett's crazy work schedule (he went from working every evening before Christmas to having to be at work at 3 AM for the whole week after Christmas) and illness. We're really blessed. 

We already miss Grandpa and are now looking forward to when we can go home in the spring to see family.