The Reynolds Family: Christmas

We get the sense as parents that there are just a few short years where Christmas is truly magical for our children. If that turns out to be true, this was definitely one of them. Scotlen was amazed by everything Christmas this year. The Christmas rush was exhausting, but also awesome. The Fitzpatricks joined us beginning on Wednesday, and we enjoyed a lot of good family time together. Christmas Eve night, we went to Mimi & Hots's church service in Gallatin. Jonas attended his first service ever, and he seemed amazed that something besides playing in the nursery went on at church. He was ever so quiet for the longest time, shuffling back and forth between us and the grandparents, clutching a set of his giant foam bath letters. He announced "Yea" after a song and "Boooooo" after a scripture reading. Though, in his defense, he was just pointing out that the Bibles were blue.

After church the Reynolds and Fitzpatrick clans dined together on steaks and other goodies at our house. Christmas Eve and the big family meal is probably my favorite part of Christmas. Kyle and the kids checked out the Santa tracker on the computer, Reed and I played PS3 football, the kids opened their pajama gifts from Mimi, and Scotlen, carrying on a great Fitzpatrick family tradition, recited "One Solitary Life" for the family. Truly a great night.

Christmas morning did not disappoint either. Jonas received an electric drum set and a remote control train, both of which were big hits. Scotlen's big gift was "a car she could drive outside." Santa had conveniently placed it inside because we had a white Christmas this year, and it would be a couple of days before we ventured outside with it. That did not dampen her spirits at all, and she was thrilled to learn that the Jeep had a real radio in it. To this day she loves to sit in the Jeep and listen to talk and/or songs on the radio. It's the most expensive radio Santa ever gave someone.

Christmas evening after the departure of the Fitzpatricks we ventured to Mimi and Hots's house for more gifts and food. The following week the Reynolds clans all ventured to Opryland Hotel for a night together (although Todd, MD and crew did not spend the night). We ate burgers, wandered around in the huge hotel, enjoyed a boat ride, and devoured ice cream. That night was Jonas's first time sleeping in a big bed. Although sleeping is not really the word I would use. I spent the entire night pulling the thrashing, inchworm boy back from the edge of the bed and away from danger, getting kicked in the face and poked in the eye. But I think he was really exited and proud of himself.

Tim, Tuesday and crew descended on Gallatin for yet another meal and gift exchange on Wednesday, December 29th. I would include a post for New Years, but all of this activity weakened my constitution such that I was sick from December 31 - January 5. I refuse to take this as a bad omen for the new year.