Our biggest surprise of the Christmas Season was finding out a few days before Christmas that duty calls, and all of the coaches were going to stay in the area to further prepare for the National Championship game. After quite a bit of crying and much fretting (on my part...ok, and Makenna's, too...a pitiful scene!), we decided that this was going to be a most special Smith Family Christmas in Norman....complete with holly and jolly and lots of joyful merriment to go around. Missing out on seeing siblings and parents and other family and friends, not to mention Papa's bar-b-que, was really tough, but we did have a Merry little Christmas all our own!
Makenna wrote her letter to Santa this year COMPLETELY by herself. I honestly was pretty excited about how well she did. My favorite is "Sporkles" to spell "sparklies." She knows that the "O" says "ahhh," as in "off" or "dog." I also enjoyed the extra comma after "silver jacket." She got kind of comma happy! :)
My girl wanted to be Clara for her ballet party. She told me, "Momma, I want to be Clara. I can just wear my Alice dress and hold your Nutcracker." She cracks me up! You can see her eyes are a little swollen in this picture.....the perils of a little girl with serious allergies and a dog that had to stay in the house because of the freezing temperatures. I woke in the middle of the night to find Titus curled up next to her bed....as Paul says....Protecting.
The Coaches' Wives at the Christmas Party.... I have learned that although college coaching and high school coaching are very much different, they also have many similarities.....like the annual Coaches' Christmas Party Wives Picture....a must!
A few of the guys at the Coaches' Christmas Party trying to be goofy and pose for picks like in that Stepbrothers movie.... Someone brought all of the old school sweaters, and before long they were all sporting them
The week of Christmas was big for Micah.....He just turned five months and cut both of his bottom teeth.... He has been very brave through it all! Below is a pic of Micah snugged up in Makenna's blankie. She only shares blankie with Micah (sometimes....ok...rarely...but it is still the only sharing of blankie) Oh, look at those sweet rolls on that baby's arms!
We had the opportunity to attend the early Christmas Eve Service at our church. The pastor had all of the children come to the front for the reading of the Christmas story.
They also had a live nativity set up in the front foyer of the church. Makenna recognized "Mary" immediately as one of her Sunday School teachers.
The church had hot chocolate, live music, and cookies in the front of the building. They also had a cookie decorating area for the kids. Makenna LOVED the frosting!
We then went home, put the baby boy down to bed, and made some sugar cookies for Santa.
We then went home, put the baby boy down to bed, and made some sugar cookies for Santa.
Christmas Morning!... Micah and Makenna wore matching Christmas pajamas.
Makenna was excited to see that Santa brought her the Silver Jacket!
Makenna was excited to see that Santa brought her the Silver Jacket!
Micah got a little rocking pony from Santa. Look at him go!
Daddy with his two sweet babies on Christmas morning....
Mark had me snap the below pic because no matter where Micah is, the joke is that his eyes are always on Momma. He had his head just hung on Mark's arm watching me as I was eating breakfast.
Makenna snapped a pic of Mommy and Daddy
The day after Christmas, Mark went back to work, and Makenna, Micah, and I got the house in order for Neeny, Poppa, and Paul to visit. Poppa ended up being very sick on Christmas day and didn't get to make the trip, but Makenna was pumped up when Neeny and Paul finally arrived that evening.
Paul took Makenna to see a movie. She thought she was so big because Paul got her a Dr. Cepper like Momma. They had a great time.
Neeny brought lots of great Christmas presents and joyful tidings from Abilene. It was a great visit! We know the drive was long, but it meant a lot to get to see them at Christmas.
Neeny brought lots of great Christmas presents and joyful tidings from Abilene. It was a great visit! We know the drive was long, but it meant a lot to get to see them at Christmas.
