Christmas Weekend Update

Happy almost new year, everyone! Guess Ill just get right to it! Christmas this year was magical, for lack of a better word. Charlotte Olivia being with us totally changed the holiday for me. I loved Christmas growing up, and while I still appreciated it and what it stands for, I think we all begin to outgrow the excitement at some point. Having a child has brought back all of the old feelings and more, though. Opening her gifts, passing her around to family, and spending time with the ones I love made this Christmas the best Ive ever had. 

My grandparents from Georgia came to town, which made the holiday weekend even more special. We all stayed in Weatherford at my sisters home. My nephews gifts were many, and they all opened plenty of new board and video games. As a family, we all played Just Dance 2 [which I HIGHLY recommend], pictionary, and guitar hero. Everyone enjoyed their gifts amongst themselves and together. It was nonstop fun. 

My grandfather smoked a turkey and a ham and my grandmother made the majority of the side dishes, along with my sister. All of the food was heavenly, but I'm very proud to say that I stayed in complete control of my eating. For someone like me, overeating is a bigger problem than for most people. The guilt I feel afterward absolutely trumps the fun I have eating the junk and while I can conquer this with my eyes closed on a day to day basis--holidays are always tough. When else is all of that fantastic food spread out together and in abundance?! I stayed away from huge plates this year, though, instead grazing throughout the day. I never felt deprived or hungry, and instead of worrying about the weight I'd gained, I spent my time running around with my nephews and enjoying my daughter. As someone living with an eating disorder, this was a huge accomplishment for me. I certainly have shown myself that my Charlie is helping to make giant leaps in my life and in my battles.

Luckily for Troy and I, Ben and Kenzie bought us a brand new digital camera, this year! We were in desperate need, and after I accidentally sent our first one flying into a fish tank and our second came brand new out of the box broken; we weren't rushing to buy another. The camera is fantastic and being that I blog, take photos of my work for my portfolio/web site, and have a newborn, we will absolutely get their moneys worth out of it! 

That said, here is our Christmas haul in pictures, and a few of Charlie :)

Camera from Ben and Kenz

Guitar Hero Gods of Rock for Wii from my Mom

The best knives Troy and I have had in five years, from his mom Marlene

AWESOME Convection Oven from my Grandparents

Stephen King's newest short stories, from Charlotte Olivia to me [Only 5 pages in, but its fantastic thus far]

Hat/Scarf/Mitten Set for Charlie from Memo

Charlie's new highchair from Memo and Papa

Charlie's Pillowpet from Greatgrandma Verbie and Greatgrandpa Vernon

The majority of the toys she got. Lots of Baby Einstein, books, and other educational toys. From her Mama Lissa and Uncle Tommy, Uncle Ben and Aunt Kenzie, and from her cousins

Awesome travel sack from her Memo! This thing is terrific! The hole at the bottom is so you can put them in their cartseats/strollers without taking them out!

Charlotte Olivia enjoying her new toys

Making faces at mommy in her walker

All day, every day, you'll hear Samantha say: "CHARLOTTE OLIVIA GET THOSE HANDS OUTTA THAT MOUTH"

 

 

And of course, my little Elf on the big day :)

Of course, she got lots of clothes, we got a few gift cards, and her dad and I both got underwear :)

This week is another short week for Troy at work, and we are looking forward to an exciting New Year's Eve. I have clients all day long, and afterward we will relax and ring in the new year surrounded by friends we love dearly. Charlotte O and I are also expecting a visit from our friend's Tracy and Courtney this week. My blog posts will likely cover these events, the makeup I do this week, a video game review of a couple Wii games and one xbox360 game, and of course, top chef. 

My family has been blessed. We wish the world all of the joy we feel and all of the love we give. 

Sam