Cox Christmas: Part II

Sadie thoroughly enjoyed opening all of her presents, even if she wasn't sure of the purpose assigned to each one. She opened an adorable skirt from Aunt Leslie and thought it would work best as a cowl neck scarf. She's so hip and trendy. 

Mimi and PawPaw - a tradition in Christmas guests 

After eating, everyone stuffs themselves with pie then heads to the living room to open presents. After a two year absence, we were elated to have Uncle Austin and Aunt Katie here for Christmas! So much fun getting to share the day with them.

Uncle Austin and Aunt Katie home for Christmas!

Other favorite guests involve all the feisty and fabulous Prater Sisters! Although Aunt Kathleen couldn't be here to complete the quartet, the faithful trio was clad with Christmas attire and feeling jolly. Granny, Aunt Doreen, and Aunt Margie are absolute Christmas staples.

Aunt Margie opening her earrings, a present from us made with love by Su Su

Granny decided to be extra festive this year and wear crazy Santa socks trimmed in bright red fur. She was adorable and a sight to behold! I don't think you can get any more Christmas-y than knee-high fur-trimmed Santa socks! Austin also got into the Christmas spirit by being silly and trying on Aunt Katie's scarf. It's hard to see, but he actually has two of James' Zen magnets attached to his ear to look like an earring. It was the most fashion forward or metro picture Uncle Austin has or will ever take, I'm sure. Haha!

Uncle Austin acting silly with Aunt Katie's scarf. Nice color blocking, Austin!

One of Sadie's favorite gifts had to be the umbrella and matching boots she received from Gammy and Granddaddy. Adorable. Curious George danced all over the yellow background as Sadie happily swung the umbrella under her head to the tune of a thousand supporters in the living room singing "Singing in the Rain." As soon as they stopped the song, she giggled, then exclaimed, "Again? Sing in Rain? Again?!"

Sadie's new umbrella!

"I'm singing in the rain, just singing in the rain!"

Showing Aunt Margie her Grover

Cox Christmas: Part I

After opening presents for the first time as a "big girl" at our house. We headed over to Gammy and Granddaddy's for some more Christmas morning fun. Granddaddy was set to arrive soon, as he had to attend one of the services at Heights Baptist where he currently serves. Sadie was ready to celebrate in her red satin shoes, "Santa Rocks" t-shirt, and brown puffy tutu. She carefully selected from her new toys her purple My Little Pony and her Abby Cadaby purse filled with 6 or 7 Littlest Pets. 

Here we come!

Sadie with her Pony and purse

While waiting for Granddaddy, we enjoyed pumpkin muffins, milk and gingerbread as we visited in the living room. Sadie also enjoyed seeing Molly, although Molly elected to sit atop Great's shoulders, safe from the grabby hands of the energetic little Sadie.

Christmas muffins

HI!!!! MOLLLLYY!

My "Pinterest" presents - stamped with snow white lettering!

Granddaddy arrived and we began opening gifts. Stockings were first, as tradition dictates, then the larger gifts next. Gammy couldn't find Austin and Katie's stockings, so she made do with their boots. Turned out pretty cute!

Cowboy stockings

Of all the presents in her stockings, Sadie probably enjoyed her battery-operate toothbrush most of all! Purple and stickered with Dora the Explorer (who she doesn't exactly recognize at the time), she was immediately interested in brushing her teeth. She also enjoyed a little pocket mirror from Gammy too.

A Christmas teeth cleaning

It's Sadie!

One of her favorite gifts from Gammy and Granddaddy was a doll with a little pink pacifier. Sadie was thrilled with the surprise and quickly began caring for the baby by holding her and putting her blankie on top of her to keep warm.

Here's your blankie, baby.

Here's your "paci."

Everyone enjoyed opening gifts from one another, but the most enjoyed gift of the day had to go to James' "Zen Magnets" given to him by Austin and Katie. Austin has some and plays with them at work and thought James might enjoy them. I kid you not, James must have played with them nonstop the rest of the day - quickly figuring out how to make new structures and manipulate the curious and addicting little round magnets.

James' excited face over his "Zen Magnets"

We listened to the smooth tunes of the Christmas Bears - a gift Austin gave to Mom one Christmas long ago. Although I have heard the songs a least 875,324 times, they were new to Sadie and she was fascinated with how they moved to the music as they played their tiny bear instruments.

"See it? Bears!"

One of the coolest gifts we gave was a frame with pictures of Gammy and Granddaddy (with Sadie). I bought the personalized matte from a company at the Nutcracker Market. The pictures fit perfectly and they will look good on Gammy and Granddaddy's wall!

Gammy Granddaddy frame

One of the most hilarious and appreciated gifts was a picture afghan given to Great (Granny) by Mom. I have to be honest; it kind of creeps me out to see my head that huge - on a blanket, no less. However, Granny seemed thrilled with the photo, and although Sadie was a bit confused at first, she later thoroughly enjoyed seeing Austin put it over his face as he "pretended" to be each of the people on the blanket. Hilarious, Uncle Austin. Hi.lar.i.ous.

Awesome (and creepy) blanket for Granny

One of my favorite gifts from Mom and Dad was a Petunia Picklebottom diaper bag. I had seen this bag in San Antonio over a year earlier and wished to have it, but felt guilty buying a new diaper bag when I didn't really need one. Needless to say, I was surprised to open it! It was the Christmas of purses for me as James bought me my very first "big girl" purse - a brown Coach bag with matching wallet (wallet from Sadie). Austin and Katie gave me cream and salmon colored Fossil bag with a green Fossil wallet, and then there was the diaper bag. I have no excuse to be carrying around beat up purses any more! :)

A new diaper bag! Beautiful!

One of the funniest gifts had to be Mom's log cabin lunch kit. For years, Mom has been saying that she has a dream for the farm. We usually start eye-rolling and heckling her at that exact point, explaining all the reasons why a log cabin, Christmas tree farm, and real reindeer wouldn't be the best business venture. However, Mom's a dreamer, and that's one thing we all love about her. So, when I saw this lunch kit, I couldn't help myself. I figured until she can build the log cabin she has always dreamed of, she can look at this one while at school and think of the fun to come - and keep relishing in the pure joy of dreaming and hoping.

Mom's log cabin

The most thoughtful, or at least well-planned, gift of the day had to go to Sadie's plate for Gammy. We went to The Painted Potter well before Christmas in order to let Sadie make personalized plates for Su Su and Gammy. Sadie painted a little cat while James and I decorated the plate after pressing her hands and feet onto each respective piece. Gammy's plate was decorated with tons of little hearts and a pink and blue butterfly made out of Sadie's footprints. Gammy loved the plate so much, we wondered if she would ever be brave enough to actually use it!

Gammy's "Footprint Plate"

Granddaddy's gift was special as well. This year Granddaddy finally had a turtle pond built for his three red-eared slider turtles. Austin and I bought those turtles when I was a freshman at A&M (2001) during a spring break trip with Mom to Florida. Since then, the turtles have grown and become Granddaddy's little pets. The pond is beautiful and Sadie always enjoys going in the backyard to feed the turtles with Granddaddy. So, when we found an outside decorative turtle, we knew it had to be Granddaddy's. It looked perfect hung above the turtles' happy home.

Look, Granddaddy! A turtle!

Granddaddy's newest "turtle"

After opening gifts, we waited for the rest of the family to arrive for an early Christmas dinner. Sadie passed the time by playing with the tricycle that is supposed to be her gift for Easter or later (since she is too tiny for it now). As you can see, she enjoyed pushing it about as much as she enjoyed trying to ride it with those short toddler legs of hers.

Sadie pushing her Schwinn Tricycle

Uncle Austin doctors up the turkey before frying it.

Sadie's puppet stage from Gammy/G.Daddy - nutcracker market

One of the biggest surprises of the day came with a knock on the door. My childhood friend, Lauren Polt, was running through the neighborhood and thought to stop. Being Jewish, she didn't have big family gatherings to worry about getting to, and could spare a moment to reminisce with old friends. She has become a brilliant fashion designer and now owns and operates her own successful line of collegiate wear called "Chicka-d." We enjoyed joking about how we used to jump the fence and run down the greenbelt to each other's houses. I attended her synagogue and she came to decorate our Christmas tree. What a neat friendship from long ago and such a cool surprise on Christmas day.

Our surprise visitor, Lauren Plot, my childhood friend

The Glow Stick Service

With Sadie as an active - a very active - member of our family, we have been privileged to several new joys at Christmas. Selecting a tree, hanging up ornaments, or making salt dough creations, have all been experienced through the eyes of a child. Our Christmas Eve was similarly spectacular. We had a bit of a surprise right before the holiday came because I caught a nasty cold. I went to the doctor and received some antibiotics, but just to be safe, we cancelled our regularly-scheduled Christmas Eve party. This year we had planned to have it on Christmas Eve's Eve, and were therefore delighted to find that by Christmas Eve morning had come, my cold was gone! James and I didn't plan it this way, but it ended up being the most relaxing Christmas Eve experience of our marriage! We missed seeing family and friends, but with the graduation just having passed, and Christmas day parties in store, we never skipped a beat. 

Christmas Eve, we took our time enjoying the day and got dressed all in red for the Christmas Eve church service. James and I chuckle because we now attend what we call "the glow stick service." A brilliant idea for parents who would rather not watch their toddler set the elderly woman's hair on fire as she tries to enjoy a nice service centered on the Christ child. :) Glow sticks in hand - or mouth - depending on if we are talking about adults or Sadie, we enjoyed the favorite Christmas carols and taking pictures afterward with family and friends. 

Poppy and Su Su

Granddaddy, Gammy, and Great

Eating a glow stick...oh, Sadie. :)\

Friends and babies :) Too much fun!

Four fabulous generations of women

Sadie and Poppy holding hands

A handsome bunch of Hamons

Instead of worrying with eating out, we thought it would be best to take advantage of Katy and Austin's presence at Gammy and Granddaddy's. This was the first year for them to be with Sadie at Christmas and their first time spending the night at Mom and Dad's house on Christmas Eve - a special treat for everyone, indeed! As we waited for them to arrive, Gammy and Granddaddy prepared the food as Sadie worked on opening the wooden armoire with her favorite tasseled key of Gammy's.

"Gotta get this door open," Sadie thought to herself.

Sitting down to dinner

Mmmmmm. Rolls.

Mommy! You're wearing a pink Christmas popper crown!

One horsey ride before heading home

Sadie in her Elmo PJs

It's Master Hamon Now!

We will henceforth remember the late fall and early winter of 2011 as the time tornado of craziness. After consuming countless Starbucks beverages, researching every Mexican American author I could find, and emailing my thesis director at least a trillion times, my thesis eventually was finished and I was left staring blanking into the beautiful face of graduation. Another reason to celebrate on this December 17th day was that I was cleared to start trying to pick Sadie up again, after a long four week absence of having her in my arms. I was elated. The ceremony was held at Reliant Arena and with the two ceremonies for UHCL, it was just long enough.

A long line of handshakes

While I sat and listened to a lovely commencement address, Sadie was doing her best to stay in the row as she was passed from Poppy to Daddy, to Granddaddy, to Su Su, and to Gammy. Aunt Katie and Uncle Austin sat behind her and made faces as she enjoyed being there together - although she obviously had no idea why we were all there. :)

Sadie snoozing on Granddaddy

After the ceremony I came out to find family and was greeted by a tiny well-rested toddler elated to see her Mommy after a brief separation. She gave me a high five and big hug which warmed my soul much more than any moment during the ceremony. After all, this was not just about me. This degree was a team effort. Sadie cooperating at MDO, Su Su having her extra play day so I could work, Gammy babysitting after a long day of teaching, Granddaddy helping edit and print copies of my work, Great stepping in to help as I recovered from my surgery - all acts of love that showed their support for my graduation and success. I am so grateful to have family who love and support me. Sadie, my hope is that as you are reading my words years from now, you will realize the importance and power of family.

High five, Mommy!

We couldn't walk away from the ceremony without a few ceremonial shots in the strange and wonderful graduation garb. Sadie was all smiles as she played around for the camera - saying cheese and being silly at every available opportunity.

LOVE this one. :)

Sadie! Look at the camera, not Su Su!!!

The best shot of the day. :)

They each earned their G.B.M. (Grandma Babysitting Master) degree.

TA DA!!!!

My mom couldn't help herself as we walked to the car. Tiny toddler holding mommy's hand and graduation tube in the other? Priceless. I imagine great things for you Sadie as I see this picture and cannot wait until I am holding your degree as we depart your commencement ceremony one day. :)

The best and tiniest helper

Diploma in hand...

My absolute favorite restaurant right now is Pho 21. Sadie and I frequent the establishment more than we see the inside walls of our own church and it seemed fitting to have our celebration dinner there. Well - that and we were in a major rush with people heading over for a party. :) I ordered my favorite chicken noodle soup, sharing with Sadie once she woke from her second nap of the day. As we waited for our food, I opened a few gifts. One of my favorite gifts was a little silver ball from Granny. It makes a tiny jingle bell sound when rung close to your ear. Right as we prepared to leave, Sadie awoke, making a second course entirely necessary. So, we ordered some more noodles and Jerry and Susan headed home to prep for the coming guests. By the time we arrived to her house, Dr. White and his wife were already there!

Granny showing us how to properly ring the "jingle ball"

Sadie's favorite dish