The Watkins Christmas

         This Christmas was so memorable, special and fun. We were very fortunate to have everyone over for Christmas. When I say everyone we had Grammy, Pappi, (our family) Matthew, Ethan, Addison and I, (Mark's family) Mark, Hope, and Terry, (Michael's family), Michael, Felicia and Alex and on Christmas day we had Grandma Great. It was so much fun like I said. Michael's family came on Christmas Eve and were able to participate in the junk food festivities, game playing and watching It's A Wonderful Life.
        The most special even that happened that day was they put in Marissa's headstone on her grave site. Pappi, Grammy and our family went over to watch them place the headstone on and Michael's family was lucky enough to get their in time and join us in watching them place it. It is such a beautiful headstone and they did it very carefully and I felt with respect and reverence. Then we went home to get ready in celebrating Christmas. We did read Jesus Christ's birth in the scriptures and while Pappi read it we put the nativity together. Then Pappi shared some special comments and thoughts. The kids opened their traditional Christmas jamas, watched a movie and prepared for Santa with the cookies and milk. Ethan was so excited and Addison, you could tell wasn't so sure. We kept telling her that Santa was coming while she was sleeping to bring toys and being the way she is with strange people she would reply with, No! No Santa! The kids went to bed pretty easily and everyone else tried to stay awake to see Santa by watching the traditional movie, It's A Wonderful Life. Unfortunately, even the grown-ups were so tired that we went to bed without seeing Santa again. Better luck next year. 
          Yes, Santa did come to our house but I think that Santa is being beat by Pappi and Grammy. The children, and I think I can include Mark and Michael's children as well, have been really good this year, so Santa did not forget our house and they had a great Christmas. Santa brought Ethan the PC Marvel lego game that he asked and wrote Santa and a Iron Man lego set. Santa brought Addison the Pete the Cat books, Five Little Monkey book and they both received more candy and trinkets than they needed. I might need to write Santa about toning it down on the candy for next year. The kids then enjoyed playing with their Santa toys and reading their books while we waited for Mark's family to join us for the rest of Christmas. I think I want to make that a new tradition anyway. To enjoy Santa presents, have a break and then maybe remind them what Christmas is really about before opening the presents under the tree from family. 
            When Mark's family showed we had little ones taking naps and we were getting part of Christmas dinner ready, plus we were enjoying each others company, so we didn't open gifts right away. When we did though, it looked like a wrapping paper explosion. I guess that is what happens when you have four families with children and a Pappi and Grammy that spoil the kids (not just grand kids) like crazy. 
          Some of the things our family received from others was:
                    Ethan:
                           Angry Bird Star Wars from dad and mom
                           Guess Who from dad and mom
                           Gumball Machine with skittles from Addison
                           Wii Lego Harry Potter Game from Grandpa and Grandma Brooks
                            Ants in the Pants Game from Nathan and Mindy
                            Jake and the Neverland Pirates Legos from Pappi and Grammy
                            Wreck-It Ralph Movie from Pappi and Grammy
                   Addison:
                            Nursery Rhymes Song 3 CD pack from dad and mom
                             Wood Blocks from Grandpa and Grandma Brooks
                             Coloring Books and Crayons from Nathan and Mindy
                             Jake and the Neverland Pirate Ship and Hideout from Pappi and Grammy
                             Despicable Me 2 movie from Pappi and Grammy 
                             Bath Tub Vanity with pretend make-up from Pappi and Grammy
                  Matthew and Lori:
                          Kitchen Aid Mixer from Grandpa and Grandma Brooks
                          Skirts, Shirts and Jackets from Pappi and Grammy
                          7 Wonder Game from me to Matthew
                          7 Wonder Expansions from Pappi and Grammy
                          Pot and Pan set from Matthew to me
                           The Hobbit movie to Matthew from me
                           Family picture for teacher desk from me to Matthew
                         Earrings from Nathan and Mindy
                        Word find from Nathan and Mindy
                        Olive Garden Gift Card from Nathan and Mindy
                        Marissa CD of songs from Mark and Hope
                        Money from Great Grandpa and Grandma Ashcraft and Grammy Great 
    As you can see and as I have been saying, we were super spoiled this Christmas, as we have been in previous Christmas's. I feel a little guilty but also very humble and appreciative that we have such loving family. Thank you all of you for making this a great Christmas for us and I am not just talking about the gifts but for the support, love and service you have done us all through our lives. 
      Before it got dark we also all loaded up in our cars and visited Marissa. We got to see her new headstone again and Pappi and Grammy also brought a tree, flowers and other decorations to make it more festive and beautiful. Then we sang Christmas carols together around her. I have to say, I didn't think we sounded to bad. The last song we sang, or tried to sing but failed, was We Can Be Together Forever Someday. Marissa loved that song and like I said we didn't know the song very well so we didn't do so great but it was that spirit that was felt their that mattered the most. We know you were there Marissa and we love you and miss you so much. We will also learn and practice that song for next year's traditional Marissa gathering. 
          Even though, we all did love the gifts and Christmas was very fun my favorite part was being reminded that I am an Aunt. I forget this fact of life since I do not live next to any of my nephew's and soon to be niece but with Terry and Alex over, I got the present of being an Aunt. 

          I had so much fun playing games and toys with Terry Park Watkins. He is a handsome boy with a big heart. He is the most loving one year old I know. All he wanted to do is hug and kiss Addison. Like I said, the way Addison is, she does not like to be touched but she even gave in to Terry's hugs and kisses. We know that he loves and I mean loves buttons. What one year old doesn't? He is good at finding buttons to push though. He really loved a toy computer that plays music that we had fun pushing the buttons and dancing to. I think that we overwhelmed Terry with all the toys we have to play with. He didn't know what to play with first but he seemed to have lots of fun. I think I also won him over by sneaking cookies and playing chase with him in the kitchen. Yes, this aunt will bribe kids, if that is what it takes to get a few laughs and kisses from them. 
           I also had the pleasure of holding and babysitting little Alex. Talk about a cut, happy and talkative three month old. He was so cute. Most of the time that I held him he would coo and communicate something to me. Even though I don't understand baby language I knew he had a lot to say to me and it was important. We also were bouncing buds. His parents rock him by bouncing on an exercise ball. I thought this was brilliant because you are comforting your child and getting that workout by working off that baby fat, especially in the legs, that you need to get rid of. I have to say that today I am sore but I do not regret a minute of if. I hope to continue this bouncing habit while watching T.V. or anytime I am sitting. Thanks Alex. We were also snuggle buddies. Unfortunately, the kids got sick with colds the day of Christmas and on but for being sick Alex and Terry were still sweet and happy kids. 
           I feel bad that the kids got sick and I think they caught it from our family. Ethan has had a cough for a few weeks but I thought it was possibly asthma related or a very long cold and didn't think anything of it since he has had it awhile. On Christmas morning though, Ethan woke with a cough fit and could hardly stop coughing to breath. He even coughed up green phlegm.Addison also woke up with the worst constant runny nose and the buggers were green. I felt so bad that we were going to and did pass along a cold to everyone. We took Ethan to the doctor the day after Christmas to get a antibiotic for his virus and Addison is still fighting the stuffy nose. Like I said Alex and Terry had the misfortune to get this cold to and I am praying hard that it will leave their bodies quickly. 
           As you can see I had the best Christmas ever. Not because of presents, decorations or even giving toys but because of family, love, giving, peace and memories that were made. There is only a couple of things that could make this Christmas perfect that we can never have back and I think many know who I am talking about but we will always remember those loved ones in our hearts and keep them apart of us.