Christmas 2008...1021 miles!!

Christmas this year was eventful, tiring, and so entertaining!! Our Christmas was spent traveling...A LOT!!! Next year will be different (although I say that every year). Josh and I are just really blessed with a lot of family that wants to see us over the holidays. O.k...maybe they really want to see Cameron, but I like to think it is me that they want to celebrate with!

Our celebration started on December 23rd at Josh's parents. We enjoyed a yummy dinner of steak and shrimp. Sharon's house is beautiful at Christmas and always gets me in the holiday spirit.

Sharon's Christmas Tree

Mamma, Daddy Mike, Riley, Jace and Cameron

Look at these two CrAzY cousins!! (Jace found a red marker and Cameron looks like he is trying to poop)

After dinner, Mike read the story of Jesus' birth to the kiddos and the kids help put together the nativity scene. It was about the neatest thing I have seen and was so special. We have decided that this will be an annual tradition. And even better, our nativity scene had three baby Jesus' because all of the kids wanted one! (side note...Cameron and his Mamma were out and about at Wal-mart over the holidays and Cameron saw a small baby Jesus. He wanted it really bad and Sharon said that she couldn't say no to Jesus, so, now she has an extra baby Jesus for her nativity)

Daddy Mike reading to the kiddos

The kids with THEIR navity scene

After the wonderful story, we all got together and played children friendly games, including 'Pop Your Opponents Balloon' and 'Hot Potato'. Cameron enjoyed hot potato so much (watch the video) and was really happy that he won the balloon game (all the kiddos won).

After game playing, it was time to open presents. Cameron wasn't much into this at first, but once he opened his new Percy train (which he talked about all Christmas), he was really excited about Christmas. While Riley and Jace were busy opening presents, Cameron sat and looked over the Thomas pamphlet that came with his new train. It was too cute.

Cameron with his new bridge and trains.

What Cameron did while everyone opened presents

Cameron tucked away sleeping with his new 'Bill'

The kiddos went to bed, and the adults went to work on putting together their new John Deer Gator. The next morning, the kids woke to the new Gator in the living room and really enjoyed driving each other around. Well, maybe Mamma and Daddy Mike enjoyed chasing them in the Gator (Cameron hasn't mastered steering just yet!!).

Cameron on the new John Deer Gator (Mamma and Daddy Mike are driving)

Oh, and I would personally like to thank Mamma and Daddy Mike for this...

This toy has now been hidden!!

On Christmas Eve, Santa made an early stop at our house. Cameron was super pumped and Santa was really good to him. He got some new trains for his train set which he got so excited about.

Cameron showing off his new train from Santa

We left that night and headed to our traditional Christmas Eve dinner at my great aunts house in San Antonio (the 1021 mile trip began). We have had Christmas Eve at her house for as long as I can remember. But, this night, after the festivities, we headed back to Austin so that we could have Christmas morning at my parent's house. We woke up early and opened tons of fun presents. Cameron really enjoyed his new power wheeled four wheeler, and once again, the adults had to help with the steering...although I don't think Mimi and Pops minded too much! The morning was not complete without our pigs-n-the-blanket breakfast and watching The Polar Express (which has become Cameron's favorite movie).

Cameron's new four wheeler

The Sissell/Newton family

Cameron and his Mimi

We stayed their until mid-morning and then headed back to San Antonio for more food and more present opening. Cameron was spoiled once again and truly enjoyed showing off all of his Thomas stuff. My CrAzY family with a massage train...I did enjoy this though!!

On December 26th, we left San Antonio and headed for Rochester...not New York, but Texas. Rochester is a small town near Abiline. Josh's Papa lives there and we continued our Christmas celebration with Josh's family. Finally, on December 28th we made our way back home...AND STAYED PUT!!! I barely wanted to do 'after Christmas shopping'...but couldn't resist a shopping trip back to Austin and San Marcos. More to come on that later. Needless to say , we were a bit tired after 1021 miles of driving!

Anyways, I know this post is late, but I hope all of you had a Merry Christmas and enjoyed your family time as much as the Newton's did theirs!!