Since Chad is out of town, Clayton and I decided to spend a few days with his Gram and Papa(my mom and dad). On Tuesday evening we went to the best Mexican restaurant in the world. Pancho Villa. They have this dish called the ACP. It's rice, melted cheese, sauteed onions, and chicken all mixed together. So very good. I digress. After Panco we had to make a pit stop at Walmart. I was the last one out of the store, and when I made it to the car this is how I found my son. 
............The mice will most definitely play.
Chad's out of town this week on a men's retreat(deer hunting). So, that means Clayton and I have the manor to ourselves. Whatsoever shall we do?
Hum (think, think, think, think)
We could shop, stay up late(me, not Clayton, and those of you that know me know that's not going to happen), go to bed early(that's more like it), watch chick flicks, shop, eat a salad from Zaxby's. The possibilities are absolutely endless. Time can only tell what the two of us wild children will get into.
Most likely not a lot. Clayton in bed by 9pm, and Mommy soon to follow, just because I can. In all honesty I do miss the husby already. I know, I'm a softy. He's my best bud and definitely the most calm half of this relationship. Have a great "retreat" Chad. See ya soon.
XOXO
Christmas was great for our family. The Christmas festivities began for us on Tuesday evening and have continued until just about an hour ago. It's been a great, and busy week. Just because I know you care I plan to go through each day event by event. Don't you feel special.
Tuesday evening, Chad, Clayton, and I went to the Tanglewood Festival of lights with the seniors from our church. Not high school seniors, the senior adults. Besides Clayton, I was the youngest person on the bus. It's a very interesting seat to fill. Anyway, I digress. Clayton of course loved the lights and giggled at each light display as we passed them. After Tanglewood, we had to go to Walmart and get a few last minute things for various meals for the next few days. 10:30pm is a great and recommended time to go to Walmart.
Wednesday morning began with brunch at my mother's parents. The food was fantastic. I love breakfast casserole. After brunch we came home for a nap (Clayton and his mommy both napped). Since Christmas Eve was on a Wednesday, we had church a little earlier than usual. Then I had to split paths with my boys. Chad and Clayton went to Chad's Grandmother's house for their Christmas celebration. I, being the wonderful older sister that I am, went to Jesse's church to play the piano for their Christmas communion service. It was a great service, and his church is awesome. They had the prettiest Christmas tree I have ever seen in a church. I met up with my boys a little later and listened to some Christmas music on the guitar performed by Chad's uncle.
Thursday morning we had our very first Christmas with Clayton right here in our home. We didn't get up too early, which was great. We all opened presents and played with our new toys(well, we all played with Clayton's toys). After Christmas at our house we went to Chad's parents house and had Christmas there, and we had a really tasty breakfast. More toys. And, Chad's sister is a whiz(think kid, not cheese) on the computer. She made Chad a really cool DVD of Clayton's pictures from his birth until now, and set it to a Phillips, Craig, and Dean song. It was AWESOME in every way. Tears, tears, tears. After Chad's parents we stopped in at his other Grandmother's house for a few minutes and had breakfast again. Yeah, why they call it breakfast at noon, I'm really not sure. It works though. After that was nap time. Everybody in the Carswell manor took(and needed) a nap. Lastly, but certainly not least we went to my parent's house and had Christmas there. As always anything we do at Mom and Dad's house is a blast. It gets loud in a nano-second, and yesterday was no exception. Clayton came home with so many toys, I think we could open a Toys R Us in our living room. Chad and I racked up too with some neat electronic goodies.
Friday evening(Ipromise this is the last one) we went to Christmas dinner at my other Grandparents. The Grands as I affectionately call them. I love going there, because something crazy always happens. This year was no exception. We get so loud and goofy in a manner of minutes. It's great.
I'm tired.
So, that was our crazy Christmas. It's so busy, but we have a lot of family that loves us dearly. It's great. Now I'm going to bed to rest up for next year.
It's almost Christmas. It's so close now. I can't wait. I absolutely love Christmas and being able to get together with family. My family is so great. We're just loud and goofy, but we all love each other so much. Nobody seems to get offeneded when we pick at each other, and make fun of one another.
Last night we had a little mini pre-Christmas celebration at Mom and Dad's house. Just the seven of us. We hung out and ate sliders, fudge, mini pecan pies, and the best cheese dip in the world. Wow, I sometimes can't believe how big our little family is starting to get. I can't wait until there are even more of us. We really should have been Italian, the way that we eat and get so loud together. It doesn't take long for the decible level to reach max power.
So I think today is the last day with minimal craziness of this week. Tonight, Chad, Clayton, and I(well maybe just Chad and I) are going to decorate a few more Gingerbread men and women. Tomorrow evening the three of us are going to Tanglewood(a light display sorta near us) with a group of the seniors in our church. That should be a lot of fun. Wednesday is of course Christmas Eve. We have brunch at my mom's parent's house, then Christmas Eve service at our church, then I have to go play piano at Jesse's church for their Christmas eve service, then we will head to Chad's mom's mom's house for their Christmas get together.
Thursday is the big day. Christmas at our own house in the morning, and then to Chad's parents mid morning, then to my Dad's parent's house for lunch, then a nap(hopefully) for Clayton, and then we will go back to Mom and Dad's house for our real Christmas dinner. More junk food. Have a great Christmas.
I do have a date tonight with my hubby. I'm excited. I hope he is too. But, Chad is so nonchalant about most things that you would never know if he was excited or not. We haven't decided what we are going to do. I want to go shopping. OF COURSE. Shopping is always on the top of my to do list. And, Chad has me nothing for Christmas, so maybe I could go and pick out what I want, and get to bring it home and keep it tonight. I think that's a great idea.
Or, we could go to dinner and a movie. The possibilities are endless, but I still prefer shopping. I'm completely ready for Christmas as far as gifts are concerned, so I don't have to worry about that expense any more. What do you think we should do?
