Merry Christmas!

And here was our first attempt at a family picture. Jackson was not too thrilled with the idea of sitting still (even if just for a minute) to take a picture with us. That boy sure is busy these days…
Our Christmas celebration started off in Oxford with the
Moorman family…
And here was our first attempt at a family picture. Jackson was not too thrilled with the idea of sitting still (even if just for a minute) to take a picture with us. That boy sure is busy these days…
Jackson was pretty excited about opening presents this year. I think he was as excited about being able to tear up paper and not get in trouble as much as getting presents!
The boy LOVES the paper! J
Our first casualty of the Christmas season…but not the last. L
Although I have previously reported that Jackson had been so
good with the Christmas trees this year…this was not the case at Aunt Julia and
Uncle Chick’s house! He broke not one, but two of their ornaments! Not cool.
Especially since one was an ornament that Marlie made in 4th grade!
So sad…

But…the being still/sweet didn’t last long! Jackson and Alivia did some good wrestling and at one point, Jackson was riding Alivia like a horse! J

And..Marlie, Alivia, and even Mimi (although I am sad to report I did not catch on film) did a little hoola hooping! Jackson tried but he doesn’t quite have the moves that the girls do! J

Loving all the decorations, holiday foods, and presents!
* * * * * * * * * *
Our next stop was Granny and Poppa’s house!

Patrick and Jackson did a little wrestling too! They played a little tug-of-war and Jackson ended up with a “pink belly”! J

Jackson and Barkley did their fair share of wrestling too! Those two LOVE each other! Aren’t they funny?!
Jackson wanted to help pass out presents too. Well…actually, he just wanted to check them out, then tear off the paper! J
Poppa thinks he knows what his present is… J Regardless, he’s got some other good stuff he’s hauling in there!
Patrick might have guessed his binoculars, but he sure
didn’t guess his jar full of coal! J
Hugs with Poppa!
Kind of a hug with daddy! Not so much…
Family pics!
The present wrapping was impressive this year! As always...
Just a glimpse at the beautiful decorations at Granny and
Poppa’s house!
After all the partying, I got a chance to snuggle with my
boy and watch a little “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” before bed. Good stuff.
* * * * * * * * * *
Christmas Eve found us celebrating with Uncle T and the rest
of the Moorman clan…Unfortunately, Jackson was not in the best mood and I did
not get many good pictures.
Here’s the best one from the night…
* * * * * * * * * *
We made it home and got in bed on Christmas Eve just in time
for Santa to visit!
We were hoping that Santa would like his cookies, and he
must have because he left Jackson some pretty good loot!
I’m not so sure that Jackson was THIS good last year! I
think he must have made some sort of arrangement with Pepper not to tell
EVERYTHING he saw! J
Stocking goodies!
So…on any given day, my boy is up before the crack of dawn.
But…on the one day we would have liked him to be up early, he decides to sleep
in! We finally had to wake him up about 7:45 (wouldn’t that be nice on any
other day…) to come see what Santa left for him!
My sleepy boy on Christmas morning! He might still be sleepy, but aren’t his PJ’s the cutest? J
“Look daddy! Cars!”
Cars AND trains! Boy, Santa did good!!
“Woah! Check this out!!”
Playing with his many cars! And loving every second of it!
And…he got a Thomas the train and track that drives itself.
Pretty cool.
My boy is PUMPED! I think he likes his gifts from Santa! J
* * * * * * * * * *
After Santa, we hit the road for the long trip to Alabama.
We were all stocked with snacks, toys, and new movies for the ride! Jackson
watched a few movies, and snoozed most of the way…
Don’t you love the pose?! J
* * * * * * * * * *
Our first stop in Alabama was at my Aunt Patsy’s house to
see Granny’s side of the family:
Poppa and Jackson – the one rare moment this child was still
the entire day!
There was just way too much new stuff to see to sit still…
Mama and Jackson – resting for a minute between opening
presents!
Just some of the kids at Christmas! There were others, but I
didn’t get pictures of all of them…too much chasing my own kid around (trying
to make sure he didn’t break anything, etc…) I guess. There were so many of us,
we were split into several rooms…it’s such a blessing to have that much family
together for Christmas!
And…here is the newest cousin: Asher!! (Well…he’s actually
not new at all; just turned ONE! But, this was our first time to visit with him
because he lives with his parents in Florida).
Super cute, huh? I
don’t know about you, but I think we (as a family) make some pretty darn good
looking kids! J
* * * * * * * * * *
After witnessing a head-on collision and a very close call
with a few of my cousins after leaving my aunt’s house (thankfully, everyone
involved was okay and my cousins and I all were not involved in the actual
accident), we headed to my grandmother’s house to celebrate with Poppa’s
family!
More presents to unwrap!
And he got some pretty awesome gifts too! A basketball goal,
more cars (one that you shake up and it drives itself!), and more! The coolest
thing he (and Drew) got by far was a complete set of uncirculated coins that my
granddaddy collected. Each year, he would order several sets of uncirculated
coins (from both mints) because he loved to collect coins. My grandmother gave
the great-grands a set a piece this year for Christmas. Very special!
Resting! Thank goodness…we can all use a rest, buddy!
Opening presents and exploring is hard work! Especially after such a long car
ride!
My grandmother must have been pretty good this year too! J
We tried really hard to get a picture with my grandmother
and her two great-grandsons…but this was as close as we could get! Drew was a
sweet baby (and very photogenic), but Jackson was not ready to sit still just
yet! J
Speaking of Drew…
Isn’t he the cutest thing? I just love those fat cheeks and
dimpled chin!
And, speaking of babies…next year will be a big year for babies
in the Stone family! My cousin Chase and his wife Kirby are expecting TWIN
girls and my cousin Megan and her husband Michael are expecting a baby too! We
still have to wait a little while before we know if their baby is a he or a
she! So exciting! And I’m loving all the babies! Jackson will have tons of
cousins to grow up with now. J
2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor
of Syria.)
3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth,
into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was
of the house and lineage of David:)
5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were
accomplished that she should be delivered.
7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in
swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them
in the inn.
8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field,
keeping watch over their flock by night.
9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of
the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you
good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,
which is Christ the Lord.
12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe
wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly
host praising God, and saying,
14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward
men.
15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into
heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem,
and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto
us.
16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe
lying in a manger.
17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the
saying which was told them concerning this child.
18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which
were told them by the shepherds.
19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her
heart.
20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all
the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.