Oh Me, Oh My!

The Christmas break came and went and I've not posted a thing!  I've got so much, so here goes:

• We celebrated Greg's grandmother's 80th birthday and an early Christmas with all of the Krauses on December 22.  It was a fun evening full of family, good food, presents, and even karaoke. *I totally forgot to take my camera, but thankfully Karen Kraus took some pictures.  Hopefully I can add them later.

• Christmas Eve was my BIG birthday.  That's right the BIG 3.0.!  I was able to talk to both my sisters and parents and got several other sweet calls, texts and FB messages.  I felt very loved and special.  Greg and I mostly hung out during the day.  He was sweet and got me my usual from my favorite Bagel Cafe for lunch which was fabulous.  Then the 8 immediate Krauses went went to our Christmas Eve Service at church and out to dinner at Cheesecake Factory.  In true Emily fashion, I waited to almost the last possible second to open my presents.  I got lots of sweet and thoughtful things from my accountability girls and family.  A very special present came from husband.  He bought tickets for us to go to wicked when it comes to Houston this year.  Apparently, they are amazing seats and I was SO surprised at the generous and thoughtful gift.  I did have an amazing day, but there will be even more celebrating in June with my mom and sisters.  SO excited about this!

Yea!  Our first Christmas Eve with our precious Brody!

Jordan wants to keep the winning ticket.  Grandad won $500 big ones!

 

Brody is not so sure about someone else sharing Dad's lap for his
bedtime story.

 

• We celebrated Christmas Day at David and Cathy's.  It was great!  It was laid back and relaxing.  We opened presents and then had a late breakfast.  I must give credit to David for being one of the best breakfast makers I know.  He made omelets that put most restaurants to shame!  Little Brody Bear made out like a bandit thanks to his grandparents and aunts and uncles.  He got toys and clothes galore!  I must also say that I'm SO glad the Krauses open presents like I did growing up.  We pass out all the presents from under the tree and then we open them one at a time.  It's SO great!  And one of my favorite parts of this Christmas was Jordan playing Santa.  Gary would hand him a present from under the tree and tell him whose pile to put it in and Jordan would skip & hop to put the present into the correct pile.  He did try to "steal" some of Brody's presents by putting them in his pile (accidentally I'm sure), but we made sure each present got to the rightful owner.  It was super cute to watch the whole thing.  Later we had gumbo that Cathy had made, but sadly David couldn't join us because Nanny was not doing well and had to be taken to the hospital.  Her white blood cell count was drastically low, but she is recovering now and will hopefully be back to feeling good soon. 

Opening his first present on Christmas Day!



 

 

• On New Years Eve, we celebrated Greg and I both turning the BIG 3.0. by going out to dinner and back to our house for games.  It was another relaxing and fun evening! 

How cute does my little man look in his polo and jeans!?
He's ready to ring in the new year with style...except that he
still went to bed at 7:30 and amazingly slept through
the fireworks that sounded like bombs going off.

 

• One of the biggest highlights of the Christmas break was we bought a new car!  Well, new to us, so we consider that new.  We had been looking into getting a new car, and felt the time was right to part with our dear Acura for something just a little bit bigger.  I felt the time was right so we could still get some money for our beloved car.  So, instead of seating for five, we have seating for 8!  We're hoping this is the biggest car we'll have to own, since we have room for six little munchkins in the back.  The first time I drove it, it did feel slightly like a tank or bus bigger than the Acura.  However, I think I'm already getting used to it with the exception of parking it in the garage.  I don't know if I'll ever get used to that.  I think I almost gave Greg a heart attack.  Yikes!

• Another high from the break was that I cut off all my hair (as pictured above).  Well, not quite ALL of it, but 9 inches later, it feels like all of it.  In following my typical pattern, I let my hair grow out really long, I got really sick of it and I chopped it all off.  The best thing about cutting my hair short is always the first shower afterwards.  It's SO easy and it makes you ponder your sanity for the fact that you've been washing all of those extra inches of unnecessary hair.  Anyway, for me there's no buyers remorse on our purchase or the removal of so much nagging hair.  I do however look like a true Katy, suburban stay at home mom 30 something with my short hair and SUV!  Notice I didn't say feel  like it.  I'm not really embracing or hating it because I totally don't feel 30!  But as I start the new year with new things:  new car, new age, new hair, I remember they're just things.  I'm so thankful for the real gifts in my life: my family and friends.  I don't know what 2013 with bring for the Kraus House, but we commit it to the Lord and trust him with each new day.