Christmas 2011

So Christmas 2011 definitely did not turn out how I thought it would. Payton ended up getting sick the night before Christmas Eve. She had a 103 fever. I took her into Urgent Care on Christmas Eve morning, and they tested for RSV which was negative - thank goodness. I suspected an ear infection, but she didn't have that either. The dr. said it was viral, and gave her a steroid for the congestion. Meanwhile, Chad's family is arriving our house for a Christmas gathering. We got home in time to visit with everyone, but obviously Payton was not feeling the greatest. Chad ended up going to church services since he had to serve communion and I stayed home with a sick little girl. I have to admit, I was very sad about not being able to go to church services and I cried a little. This is the first year that I haven't gone, and it just didn't seem right. I just love the candlelight service. There is something so magical about singing "Silent Night" by candlelight. Also, my parents have a little gathering at their house every year after church services, and we missed out on that too. My mom always makes the best food. She made sure that she saved us a couple bacon-wrapped smokies and her pickle roll-ups. :) Something else that was different about this Christmas....it was the first Christmas that I didn't wake up at my parents' house on Christmas morning. That's right---30 years old and have spent every Christmas morning at my parents' house. We usually go to church with my parents and then stay the night at their house Christmas Eve and wake up there Christmas morning. It was so weird to not wake up at their house this year. But now that we have Payton, I think it's important that she wakes up at HER own house on Christmas morning.

Thankfully, Payton was feeling better on Christmas morning, but still not 100%. We opened presents here, got ready, and then headed to Baxter to open presents at my parents' house. Aaron and Jess were there too. After that, we traveled to Knoxville to celebrate with my grandparents' and have supper. My grandma had a fantastic meal (as always) and we had a nice time.

2nd Annual Sugar Cookie Making Day

Every year on the second weekend in December, Chad goes on a deer hunting trip with his college buddies down to southern Iowa.  I think he said this year is the 15th year they've been doing it.  He leaves on Friday after school and doesn't come back until Monday evening.  Ever since we've had Payton, my parents have come to stay that weekend to keep us company.  Last year Mom and I used our gift certificates to the spa and we had so much fun, we decided to make it an annual thing while Chad is on his hunting trip :)  We also made sugar cookies last year and decided to make that an annual tradition as well.    I remember not having very good luck with the dough last year as it was too sticky and very hard to work with. We thought it was because I didn't let it chill long enough. So this year I made sure to chill the dough overnight---didn't help. We had the same situation as last year. So, we cheated and went out and bought the Pillsbury dough. :) This was MUCH easier to work with. I am going to have to try to find a different recipe for next year. Here are some pictures from our fun day!