Baby, It's Cold Outside...

We are thoroughly enjoying our Christmas stay-cation.  Troy was blessed with a week and a half off (not including the week we were in Disney earlier this month- still need to post those pics!) and it has been wonderful.  We dread going back to work and a normal schedule next week.

We did Christmas with Troy's Mom and family on Wednesday.

I told her I wasn't leaving her house that night because it would mean Christmas was officially over.  She hosted our very last Christmas get-to-gether.  :(

She said she would make me a bed to stay  :)

We had a great time and a delicious dinner.  I couldn't ask for a better family.  I never know what to call my "in laws" because they don't feel like in laws to me.  They feel like mine.... and I love them for that.

I also love these "killer turtle brownies" that she made especially for me!  Thank you Mom!  I have enjoyed them so much, and they still remain my favorite thing that you make :)

Troy and I are making the most of what's left of the Christmas break.  We've went shopping.... ran errands...

have enjoyed lunch dates.....

and going to a movie...

I woke up several times in the middle of the night to look out the window for snow.  I wanted a big snow so badly, but will gladly take what we got.

Beautiful!

I was glad to see that the Hammond's were out playing in the snow early this morning....

I pulled my boots on over my pajamas and joined them...

Mike showing Nate how it's done.....  such a sweet Daddy!

I loved seeing all the photos on Facebook of your little ones playing in the snow today!

All of the snow has left the song "Baby, It's Cold Outside" in my head all day.

I have laid around singing it....laughing until I was in tears when Troy would cut in with his part.  I brag often about this handsome GENIUS I married.  But remembering the lyrics to songs is not his strong suit.  And he has a very special way of butchering Christmas songs.

Me:  "I really can't stay"
(should be: "baby it's cold outside")  Troy:  "You really should try and stay"   ???

Me:  "I gotta go way"
(baby it's cold outside) Troy:  "You really should try and not go away"  ???

Me:  "This evening has been"
(been hoping that you'd drop in)  Troy: "it has had lots and lots of wind."  ???

Whether it's your husband, son, dad....  find a male to see if they know the lyrics for the male part.    It has sure kept me entertained today. :)



I will regret these next set of pictures (no face on and scrappy hair)....  but it's how we rolled today, so honest pictures it is.

We have spent this snowy day watching movies and being lazy.  It has been wonderful.  I have 4,000 Christmas Hallmark movies on the DVR, we watched "Elf," and are going to start "The Odd Life of Timothy Green" in a few minutes.

 We're still in Christmas pajamas.... that happen to be very appropriate for this snowy day....

Well....   I am.

Troy said there are "snow scenes" in Call of Duty....  so it counts.  ??

He is holding "Christmas Milk" (eggnog- Jennifer's son Will began calling eggnog, "Christmas Milk" when he was barely talking), so we'll let him slide on the not so Christmas pajamas.

Hope you're enjoying the last weekend of Christmas and this beautiful snowy day!

Love,

Kristin

A Dunaway Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you!!!!

Thank you to those of you who read the Christmas Eve post and emailed/commented wishing us a Merry Christmas.  We love hearing from you!  Troy and I had a quiet, perfect Christmas Eve.  For as long as I can remember....  Christmas Eve has been our evening...... for just the two of us to share.  We enjoy the quiet time together.  One day.... sooner than later...  our Christmas Eve's will be all about our little ones...and we can't wait.  However, knowing that....makes this time for just the two of us that more special.

 I thought I'd share our Christmas Day in photos....

We spent Christmas Day at my parent's home, and had such a wonderful day.

I stole this picture from my Mom's camera......this is what my parent's great room look like yesterday evening ....

And this is what it looked liked post Santa Claus :)

We arrived at my parents in our pajamas and enjoyed a delicious brunch before seeing what Santa brought....

Mr. and Mrs. Claus.... :)

Yes, we still do Santa.  Mom and Dad do Santa in a BIG way.  We each still have our own spot by the tree.....  and Troy and Christy have their own spot as well.  I think that is sweet.  You would never know that Troy and Christy married into the family...  it's as though they were here all along...and always had their "spot" for Santa :)  Mom and Dad are so good to them in that way, and I am so appreciative.

Here is my spot :)

Do you see my Red Transferware?  I have wanted a set of Christmas china in red transferware for years now.  I have coveted this picture for quite some time...

And now I have my own!  I am in love.  The photos do not do it justice....  it's SO beautiful.  It's patterned in "Twas the night before Christmas" and is just stunning.

My hope is that we will have Christmas dinner on this for years....and that hopefully I can hand it down to my child someday...

I won't bore you with a list of gifts....  but I must share one more thing!

For YEARS I have drooled over the Dooney and Bourke Disney bag.  Dooney and Bourke AND Disney!?  Be still my heart.  You can only purchase the bag from within the Walt Disney World parks or on their website.  Troy and I vacationed in Disney a couple of weeks ago, and once again...it was all I could do to walk away from the bag.

My parent's surprised me with it today.

Yes....  I cried.

Why?

I have no idea.

Disney and surprises do that to me ;)

I loved it so much that I jokingly told everyone that I knew they wanted their picture with it.  I love my brother's face...  :)

Yes.... they all think I'm nuts.

I wasn't the only one having fun with my gifts....

Everyone was spoiled beyond belief.

I tell Troy all the time that I have no idea how Kandice, Matthew, and I aren't total brats.  We were spoiled ROTTEN as children...  and still are.  But both Kandice and Matt are sweet, giving people. They would both give you the shirt off their back ...   Kandice almost to a fault.  She would give you anything and everything.  They are both honest and humble.

How my parents spoiled us the way they did, and yet still taught us morals, values, kindness and selflessness is beyond me.



I was actually thinking about that last night.  Santa was such a huge, special deal to us as children.  The majority of my childhood memories revolve around Christmas...  Santa... and all of the excitement.  But somehow, in the midst of all of that fun...   we were taught what Christmas was all about.  And now as adults...  Christmas is not only fun, but sacred .... Holy.

I hope I am able to do both for my children too.  Have the fun... the excitement, the Santa and the elves...   while still sharing the true meaning of it all.

Well.....that was our Christmas Day in pictures. :)

In my opinion.....a Dunaway Christmas is one of the sweetest there is.

To my sweet siblings.....  who helped to create all of the memories that we sit around the table and talk about today....I am so thankful for what you have, and continue to bring to my life.

To my husband.....   you have no idea what it does to my heart to overhear you thanking my parents for all they do for you.  It warms my heart that you care enough to show your gratitude and love for them.  I know your feelings for them are sincere and honest.  I am so thankful for the son-in-law you are to them.

And to my precious parents......  thank you for spoiling us the way you do.  For wanting to give us joy and excitement, even as adults.  And thank you for raising me in a home where I heard not only "Twas the Night Before Christmas".....   but the real Christmas Story...  about a baby born in a manger.  It will forever be my most treasured gift.

Merry Christmas!

Love,

Kristin