Collett Chronicles: Merry Christmas from the Family

Our Christmas was jam-packed with travel and family, and Tony and I wouldn't have had it any other way. We packed up and went south for Christmas to Houston where we got to spend Christmas Eve with my side of the family, and Christmas morning and the remainder of the week with Tony's family.

We had a great time everywhere we went, and our kids were so well-behaved and adaptable and easy going. I am so proud of Harper and Jack for being such troopers. They were even great during our drives. I don't know how we got such awesome kiddos, but I am so thankful for the two of them and their sweet demeanors.

So, here are some pictures of sweet Miss Harper and her big brother, Jack, and the rest of our family on Christmas Eve. We ate a great meal, played with cousins, opened presents, and ate dessert. In fact, Harper and Jack ate so much dessert from different people (by running person to person asking for bites of pie and cookies) that we thought they would be sick. Harper spent the night making her dress twirl and playing with Sloane's American Girl Doll tea set; Jack had a great time playing and running through the house. Both kiddos were wide awake when we got back to Papa's house at 10pm. They had to hurry to get to sleep before Santa arrived!

Christmas morning the kids were excited to see what Santa had brought, in addition to the kitchen he brought early for them two weeks ago. Jack and Harper had figured out the present opening "thing" and were quick to help Aunt Joyce and Papa with their gifts too.

It was so nice to see Tony's Aunt Joyce and the kids kept her busy asking her to play with them over and over. Harper would wake up from her nap asking for "Aunt Joyce, Aunt Joyce!" In addition to seeing Aunt Joyce, Tony's sister and her family also came south to celebrate Christmas in Texas. Harper and Jack loved playing with their cousins (who are 2 1/2 and 5) and Tony and I have noticed both kiddos talking much more since their interactions with their cousins. Here are some highlights of the last week including a trip to the pond in Papa's neighborhood, some playing in the house, a fun dinner at Benihanna's, and some cute little nappers with their guard dog Abby.