Special Cookie, Spicy Crustaceans, and Santa Claus

The last 24-plus hours have been fun and exciting and we've been awake for most of those hours!  I hope you like pictures because this post is full of them. 

Several days ago I took the kids to Wal-Mart for them to pick out what they were going to give to Betty.  I like for them to pick out their own gifts because it makes them even more special instead of me picking out gifts for them and sticking their names on them.  McKenzie decided on her gift first.  She said she knew what Mommy likes and said that Mommy would like a new doormat for after Christmas.  She picked it out herself and did a great job.

Matt was up next.  I asked him what he wanted to give Mommy and he thought for a second and said, "A special cookie!".  I tried to steer him toward pajamas or a new kitchen garbage can but there was no budging him.  He was determined to get Mommy a special cookie.  We ran into Jan, Andy, and Caleb while we were discussing the special cookie and Jan thought it was so sweet and wanted to help.  So........Christmas Eve, I took the kids over to Jan's and they made the Special Cookie.

I love this picture.  You can just see the love going into that Special Cookie!

Matt didn't like getting flour on his hands!

Even Dah (Caleb) joined in on the fun.

Matt was very involved in the making of the Special Cookie.  Here he is checking on the progress and helping decorate it.

Here's the finished product.  McKenzie was a big help, too.  Of course, they couldn't have done it without Aunt Jan's great help.

In addition to a piece of furniture Betty picked out weeks ago, my gift to her was this beautiful painting of our old house.  Our former neighbor, Betty Byrd, painted it, which makes it even more special.  It's no Special Cookie, but I think she liked it! :)

The Spicy Crustaceans were at Marty and Kenny's house where we celebrated with some of Betty's family.  Kenny cooked some amazing (and spicy) shrimp, sausage, corn, and potatoes, while Marty filled out the feast with chips, dip, and desserts.

I'm not sure what Granny and Matt were talking about, but it looks pretty serious.

The kids were about to go crazy waiting to open presents!

Somebody hold me back!  I want my presents!!!!

Here are some family pics with rare appearances by me in front of the camera!

Jordan was experiencing Christmas overload!  (Or was that Chirstmas overload, Jordan?) :)

 

BettyWard and Ward.

Justin, the Christmas Hippie!

Sisters.  "Lord help the mister who comes between me and my sister. And Lord help the sister, who comes between me and my man!"  Sorry, I watched White Christmas on Christmas Eve.  Maybe we can get Gail and BettyWard to sing next year!  Or maybe Charles and Ward! 

Matt got a football and drafted Parker as his holder.

After we got home, we let the kids play with their stuff a little and then got ready for bed and Santa.  We all got to bed around 11:00.

McKenzie decided that Santa gets plenty of milk and cookies and she wanted him to have a healthier snack at our house so she left him a PB&J sandwich and milk.  The note is wishing all of Santa's reindeer and Mrs. Claus a Merry Christmas.

Santa came!  Here is Matt's stuff.  A Wolverine hand, tools, and a lot of train stuff!

McKenzie was so excited she got up at 3:00!  Yes, that says THREE o'clock.  In the morning.  A.M.  Before the sun comes up, 3:00.  She did go back to bed after playing for a little over an hour and then got up when Matt got up at 7:00.

Here's Matt on a short night's rest.

And here's Wolverine!  Look out!  Matt said he's going to cut down trees with his Wolverine hand.

Dah and Jan came over to see what the kids got from Santa and Caleb played trains with Matt for a little bit.

Here's the Cummings Family Trio rehearsing for our upcoming 2010 tour.

McKenzie ditched the trio and is going to go out on a solo tour.

We hope everyone else had a wonderful Christmas, too!