The Truth Be Told...

So every Christmas Eve, we always spend with the Bennett side of the family.  Luckily this was NEVER an issue for Chris and me when we got married.  My side of the family has always celebrated on Christmas Eve, and his side has always celebrated on Christmas Day.  Thank goodness, one less thing to fight and get emotional about!!!  Speaking of getting emotional, the truth finally came out this Christmas.  See, every year, my mom has started a beautiful new "tradition" of scrapwrapping the presents.  They turn out GORGEOUS!!  Let me just show you some examples:

Aren't those AWESOME?  It's sweet she does it for the grandkids, and I know it takes her FOREVER!!  She is also such a perfectionist, that she does it for us and Dad as well...  Here is another example of Megans:

And here is mine:

For all of you who noticed mine isn't pretty..  well YOU ARE RIGHT!  THAT IS THE WORST WRAPPING JOB MY MOM HAS EVER, EVER, EVER DONE.  EVEN WHEN SHE DIDN'T "SCRAPWRAP" SHE DID A BETTER JOB THEN THAT.  HER CORNERS WERE ALWAYS PRECISE, HER EDGES ALWAYS CRISP.  THIS LOOKS LIKE I DID IT... WHEN I WAS IN SIXTH GRADE!!!!!!  Think I'm being a little harsh?  Nope!!  Even when she saw it she said, "that's a crappy job, I couldn't have done that!!"  Then she goes on to blame it on "Ambien" (Her sleeping pill..)  WHATEVER, we all know that the truth FINALLY was revealed.  Sure, I should have known when "she" (meg) won the pumpkin carving contest of '07, but now it is clear with the wrapping paper.. she is the princess.. the favorite.  We all know it's JUST because she can put up with my brother.. but still.. not cool to find out on Christmas Eve.  Anyways, I'm done venting.. back to our evening.

Here is sweet Waffles.  She loves the smell of artificial trees.  Guess it reminds her of the trailer in Tomball she was born in.  (Not that there is ANYTHING wrong with trailors.. but this one was not so nice...  we will leave it at that...)

Here is a picture of our family, and another one of my beautiful children on Christmas Eve.  We clean up pretty nicely.. most of the time...

This year we started a new tradition.  Instead of the candlelight service at church.  We had "Uncle Dirt" (sorry, Dustin) read the Christmas Story to the kids and give them a "kid version" of the story.  He did an awesome job and is really good at it.  He is going in to the ministry, and I know that will be a perfect fit for him.  The kids actually sat and listened.. including Kara.. so you know he has to be good!!  I do feel bad because Papa (My dad) was supposed to read 'The Night Before Christmas' at the end of the night.. but things got crazy, and we forgot!!  Sorry Papa!  Next year, I promise!! (unless I forget again... which might happen.. but then you could remind me!!  Unless Dustin's kid is screaming... no they aren't pregnant yet.. but I like to harass him.. it's fun, and Megan doesn't mind.. so I'm an annoying sister.. but it's my job.. I like it.)

yeah, random pic. of meg and kara.. 

not sure how it got in there... but we will go

with it..  back to the Christmas Story...

I am really bummed that we didn't get more pictures with Mimi and Papa and the kids.  They are CONSTANTLY playing with my kids, so I don't know HOW I Missed pictures of them.. but like I say, my brain left with the third kid!!  Did I mention that Megan's present was wrapped prettier than mine??  Just in case you forgot.. here is ANOTHER reminder!!  (just so you know mom, mine better have GLITTER, AND BELLS next year... I WON'T forget!)

The kids did really well with gifts.. of course!  Their Aunt, Uncle, Mimi and Papa spoil them rotten.. but that is what they are there for!  Some favorites were Noah's telescope (from mimi and papa)the boy carried it around EVERYWHERE and even slept with it by his bed.. so sweet!! He and Papa went outside to see if they could spot Santa, but unfortunately it was too cloudy!! Kate's Boots were another big hit.  The girl is obsessed with shoes.  So is her Aunt.  So they are a perfect match.  Kate opened the box and was so excited and had to put them on right away!

(Insert cute pic of Noah and his

telescope and Kate with 

boots..  I had it up, but it erased

and I'm too tired to fix it...Darn

technology!!)

I will leave you with these last two pictures.  Kate is such a ham and makes us all take pictures with her just so she can see them. ....  Guess they all go through that phase!!  I do have to say on a sweet note, I have a wonderful family, and love our time at Christmas Eve.  I will always treasure it.  My family is so fun and relaxed.  We have a great time together (even though some people's presents were wrapped pretty and some weren't.... I'm not bitter).  The kids are so lucky to have Mimi and Papa.. who would do anything for them.. as well as Aunt Meg and Uncle Dirt!!  Thanks for being so great!  OH, I ALMOST FORGOT..  WE were lucky enough to have "uncle Dave" and "Aunt K" (David and Kyrenda Lampton)  come by and visit and eat with us.  They are our extended family and Chris and I.. as well as the kids love them dearly and think of them as a true aunt and uncle.  Thanks for coming by.. you helped make our Christmas Eve special!!  Tomorrow I will blog about our wonderful Christmas Day at the Surface's!  I'm too tired to write any more tonight.. but we had a blast today as well!!  Stay tuned...  (I know you are on the computer waiting....)

Love you all.. (well, mainly the people who I know are reading this.. I would probably love the people I didn't know.. if I knew them.. Unless you were some kind of perv. or freak.. or a mass murderer.  Jesus would still love you... but me.. well, that's something I would have to work on...)  Merry Christmas!!