The 12 Days of Christmas

Since we have been married, Raleigh and I alternate spending Christmas with his side of the family and my side of the family. On years when we do not go to Colorado to visit Raleigh's family, his mom sends us "The 12 Days of Christmas." It is always a little different, but I will try to explain.

This year we started on December 21 and will continue until January 1.

Can you see the row of little house boxes hanging on the mantle? Those are the 12 Days of Christmas clues this year. Each box has a different ribbon tied to the top. Also, each box is labeled with a date.

Each day from Dec. 21 until Jan. 1, we go to the boxes and look for the day's ribbon. Then we find the presents with that ribbon. Our presents are wrapped in matching paper...meaning all of Beau's presents are in a certain paper, all of mine are in a different paper, etc. So, we find each of our gifts with the days's ribbon. Make sense?

It is a fun way to enjoy the holidays with the Gresham side of the family, even when we are not actually with them on Christmas.

Rewind: Christmas Day

Beau's first Christmas home was super duper special!! It was funny because he slept late....like 8:30! I'm sure there will be plenty of really early Christmas mornings once he is a little older.

Raleigh and my dad were cozy in their matching Christmas pjs!

My mom and I enjoyed a cup of morning coffee while waiting on Beau to wake up!

Yay! He's awake!! He really wasn't sure why we were all so excited!

His shopping cart was the first gift he opened. He loves it!

While we were opening stockings, he found the 3 Musketeers from my dad's stocking. Well, since it was Christmas we let him have a bite. :) Actually, the bite turned into Beau eating the whole thing! Ha Ha! He really liked it!

Beau loves puzzles! Thanks Uncle Isaac!

Then it was time for his kitchen! He didn't really "get" the ripping paper thing, so I helped. :)

He loved sorting all his food!

Hopefully Beau will enjoy the kitchen for a long time. He has been exploring it everyday since Christmas!

My mom decided Beau needed a little chocolate ice cream straight out of the carton. Yum! That is the best way to eat ice cream!

It was a wonderful Christmas!! We stayed in our pajamas all day and enjoyed just being together.

On such a special day and everyday, our 2 sets of Atlanta friends that are waiting on their sons to come home from Korea are never far from our minds. We are praying these sweet boys (Oliver and Alex) home!! Come on 2012...bring on the EPs for all of the sweet treasures in Korea waiting to come home to their families.

Rewind: Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was a special day! I've dreamed of having a baby home at Christmas for a long time and this year my dream came true!!!

We had fun making cookies for Santa!

Beau opened a pirate's chest from his Mimi and Grandpa (Raleigh's parents)

We went to dinner at a Japanese steakhouse. Beau loved watching the chef cook on the hibachi grill!

Leaving cookies out for Santa!

My parents opening their Christmas Eve pjs!

Raleigh worked hard putting together Beau's kitchen!

Rewind: Friday

Friday was a wonderful day full of celebration! We enjoyed Christmas with my parents, my sister Angie and my brother Johnny!

my mom and dad

posing in front of the tree

Angie and Mahlon

my sister Angie, my niece Cayci, my nephew Alex and me

We surprised my mom and dad with stockings!

Beau loved his new table and chairs!

Sweet boy enjoying his new table!

Angie, my dad, me and Johnny

Rewind: Thursday

Thursday was a day full of mixed of emotions. We were heartbroken to learn that our dear friends did not receive an EP for their son (emigration permit...this is needed for their son to come home from Korea) for January. Our friends were matched with their precious son in April (after waiting more than 19 months for a referral) and have been waiting 8 months to bring him home. We love you sweet friends and are praying everyday that your sweet boy will get an EP in February!!! Please dear Lord, help this sweet boy come home very soon to his family!!

While our hearts were sad for our friends, we were also joyful to receive some great news from Beau's doctor. We headed to Scottish Rite early Thursday morning for Beau's second kidney scan.

The hospital was all decorated for Christmas!

I asked the nurses to please put the IV in his foot and they were happy to do so. Our prayers were answered and they were able to start the IV on the very first try!!
Beau didn't love this part, but once the IV was in, he was pretty content.

He was strapped down for the kidney scan and cried for the first 20 minutes and then he slept the remaining 40 minutes. We were so thankful that he slept through the majority of the test.

When the test was over, we were given a cd of the test results. We left the hospital and headed to the doctor's office. The doctor showed us how the left kidney was now draining!! Yippee!!! It still does not work as well as the right kidney, but it was a huge improvement. We don't have to go back to the doctor until April for another kidney check! Huge praise!!!

Christmas in Cleveland

Last weekend Beau enjoyed his first Christmas celebration. We went to Tennessee to celebrate with my mom's side of the family. My mom is one of 6 siblings and we all still get together to enjoy the holidays...aunts, uncles, and cousins galore! We always plan our gathering for the Saturday before Christmas so that each smaller family unit can be home on Christmas Day. This seems to work really well. Beau enjoyed seeing everyone and was much more relaxed around everyone than he was at Thanksgiving.

Thanks Uncle Steve and Aunt Linda for hosting a wonderful family gathering!

Uncle Greg is trying to win Beau over with some candy! Yum!

Hmm...maybe cousin Erica will have better luck.

my dad, Beau and me...Please ignore my socks!!! I had taken off my boots.

Erica and Kaitlin are sporting their ugly Christmas sweaters!

Raleigh and my dad are both so handsome!! My dad had chemo treatments the entire week prior to the Christmas party... isn't he a trooper for coming?!?!

Beau was having fun!

Beau enjoyed listening to a band sing Christmas music. He had fun sitting with my parents.

me and cousin Sarah

Erica and baby Landon (Landon is my cousin Courtney's son. He and Beau are almost exactly one year apart in age.)

family pic

Sweet Isabella and Madelyn were ready to open their gifts!

Sweet cousins holding hands!!

Bear hug!

my niece Cayci, me, Beau, and cousin Courtney

Beau with his Aunt Angie

When we got home Beau loved playing with all of his new toys!

And then he showed his dare devil side!! He figured out how to stand on the riding toy!

It is fun seeing him be a rough and tumble boy!