We went to Thomasville to spend Christmas with Levale's family the entire week before (of) Christmas. We had so much fun! Levale hunted pretty much everyday, and I spent most of my time with my mother-in-law, Betty Sue/Nanny, and our niece, Alex. She is at such a fun age. Nanny, Alex, and I spent lots of time shopping, cooking and baking.
Nanny and Alex baking cookies for Santa...YUMMY!!!
On Christmas Eve, we went to Maw-Maw's where Mr. Jimmy's (my father-in-law/Pop) entire side of the family gathered to have wonderful food, fellowship and a quick game of "Dirty Santa"! We had a wonderful time visiting with Levale's extended family that we don't see very often!
Alex and cousin Sadie
Maw-Maw opening presents
Levale's Cousins and Aunt Lynn getting ready to play "Dirty Santa"
This is a "Family Tradition"...this is passed down to the newly-weds each Christmas!
After we left Maw-Maw's Levale's two brothers, Thomas and Erik, Alex, Levale and I went back to Thomas's to wait for Santa to come visit Alex! Thomas, Erik, Levale and I had a BLAST playing with the toys Santa was bringing Alex! We laughed A LOT!!!
Thomas with Alex's new dog, Tisha
Levale, with his wig, and Erik trying to smash down Alex's bean bag
My Family, Christmas Eve in our Christmas PJ's
Christmas Morning Alex woke us up around 7am! We went to check out what Santa had brought her. She got so many neat things, and loved them all! It was so much fun to watch the sparkle in her eyes, and to hear all the things she would say about each present she received!
Alex and Tisha...she was amazed that Santa remembered she wanted Tisha
Alex with her new lap top in her bean bag chair like her daddy'sAfter Alex finished with Santa's presents and opening presents from her daddy, we all headed over to Nanny and Pops to see what Santa had left at their house!
The Speigner family in our Christmas Pajamas (L-R) Erik, Pop, Thomas, Levale, Nanny, and Me
Alex in her pink party dress and new boots
Alex in her new red pea-coat from Pa-Pa and Levale
After opening gifts and eating a little breakfast, we headed back to Thomas's to shower and get ready for Christmas dinner. After getting ready, we arrived back to Nanny and Pop's just in time to nap, cook, and fellowship before Christmas Dinner. Levale's family does it different and does not have the traditional "Christmas Meal." I have to admit I was a little worried because I wasn't going to have my "normal" turkey and dressing on Christmas day. Boy was I wrong!!! Erik cooked a prime rib, homemade scalloped potatoes, broccoli salad, and rolls for our Christmas Dinner! It was AMAZING, Heavenly!!! He did such a good job, and I must say, he is quite the chef. Nanny's table was set with Christmas China and looked beautiful to top it all off!!!
Erik cutting the prime rib
Nanny's Christmas Table
On December 26, we woke up early, and headed back home! We had a 3 hour drive, and 4 Christmas's in one day!!! When we got home I was looking on our back porch, and noticed something new. I shouted for Levale to come. Santa had been to our house as well...sitting on our back deck was a BRAND NEW SET OF PATIO FURNITURE!!!! We had been wanting some for 2 years! I, of course, burst into tears and called my mom and dad. Mom had gone to pick it out in LaGrange, Ticer had taken the trailer back to LaGrange to pick it up, hid it at my Nana and Paw-Paw's, and Mom, Dad and Ticer brought it to our house and set it up on Christmas Eve in the rain!!! Thank you so much Santa!!! We love it. We have enjoyed using it already!!!
After getting over the shock of new furniture, Levale and I began our 1st Christmas of the day, OURS!!! We like to do our Christmas by ourselves with Maggie, so we waited until we got home. Of course, I got spoiled and was totally SHOCKED AGAIN, so I cried some more!
I LOVE my new purse!
Levale had already gotten his BIG present, a bow in October. He got a bunch of little things. This is his favorite!
He HAD to try it on!
Mags trying to get into her present after she had already opened them, and I had put them into a Zip-Lock!
After we had our Christmas we headed over to Mammy's for lunch and Christmas with Mom's side of the family. We ate my "normal" turkey and dressing and it was DELICIOUS, definitely worth the wait!!! After lunch we opened presents.
Kathryn, Me, Levale and Mary Carlton...the only cousins present the day after Christmas!
Me and Levale with our Sweet Mammy
My little family in front of Mammy's tree
We left Mammy's and went to Nana's to do Christmas with her and Paw-Paw. Levale had gotten his Christmas early so he could begin using it during Hunting season, so Nana, Paw-Paw and I opened presents!
Nana and Paw-Paw with their rival trays
Me and Levale with our Nana and Paw-Paw
We left Nana and Paw-Paw's and went to do Christmas with my family. We had dinner and opened MORE presents (we had already gotten the patio furniture)! Mom always takes down her Christmas decorations the day after Christmas. This year she left them up, and even reset her table with all her Christmas China to make it feel like Christmas! Thank you Mom! We ate shrimp and grits, salad, and rolls. Another WONDERFUL meal!!! Afterwards, we started opening presents!
Mom's table decorated for "Day after Christmas Dinner"
Ellie Grace opening her present from Maggie
My BIG present!!!
Ticer and Morgan opening presents
Mary Carlton
Mom with her new tennis shoes
And Daddy with his Duck Boots
Opening our first "Couple's Gift"
You can always tell Levale's FAVORITE gift because he does a modeling show! This is his new safety harness. Ticer was checking to make sure it worked!!!
Every year since I was born my daddy gives me a piece of jewelery. This has become our little tradition. This year I got John Hardy earrings.
This Christmas was wondeful! We enjoyed spending quality time with our family. Both of us are so blessed to have been raised in such loving, Christian homes. Although we had such a busy Christmas, we must not forget the REAL reason for the season. Thank you Jesus for loving us, and forgiving us time after time. Thank you for dying on the cross to save us from our sins. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS, I'M SO GLAD IT'S CHRISTMAS!!!
