Santa Came Early...

Brooks, Gavin, and I celebrated Christmas a little early this year and had our family Christmas last week. Since we travel for Christmas and aren't at our house Christmas morning, we would rather not haul our gifts for one another around in the car, just to bring them back with us. Last Sunday night, we let Gavin open his presents from Mommy and Daddy and he LOVED it. He really got into ripping off the wrapping paper and throwing tissue paper around. He played with his toys the entire time Brooks and I opened our gifts to each other. He especially loved the BIG piece of luggage Brooks got me for traveling overseas. He was able to lift it, roll it, and even use it as a step stool (I told you he climbs on everything).

Gavin LOVES getting into the kitchen cabinets and thoroughly enjoys playing with any utensil, pot, pan, bowl, pitcher, etc that is in the kitchen. Brooks and I found a small play set of pots and pans at Target and just had to get them for Gavin. (They even have a set with a mixer and blender that I can't stop thinking about.  It's just too cute to pass up and may be something we give him

Christmas morning to open from us.  Anyways, Gavin was super excited to get the pots and pans and he has been "using" them everyday. His set came with a miniature colander and whisk; so he went into the kitchen and found our colander and whisk and compared them to one another. It was really neat to see that he made the connection between the items. He pretends to make us food and we "pretend" to eat it. Who knows... maybe we have a future chef on our hands.

Brooks and I enjoyed our Christmas gifts from each other, too. Brooks picked out a purse for me that I LOVE.... and the luggage that will be a huge benefit to have once we start traveling. I want to make sure that I have a bag large enough to fit any and all necessities to take with me to Saudi. Brooks wanted some new clothes and a new pair of tennis shoes. We're also building up our collection of TV Series DVD's so I started him The Everybody Loves Raymond Series (only he changed his mind and wants a different series) That's okay... we just need some good options for TV shows to watch once we move.

We feel very blessed to get to celebrate Christmas as a family!  We spent the past week in Lake Charles and celebrated Christmas with my side of the family on Saturday.  Santa was REALLY good to us.  I'll post those pictures later.  It's 12:30am and I'm tired.  Off to bed.