It was a Merry Christmas...

After last year, when I got so sick over Christmas, I made a list of all the things I could change for this year to make it less stressful. I'd say it was a success, and even though I did get a cold after returning from Texas, all the things on this list made a big difference! Here's the list:

1. Work smarter at work so there isn't a last minute "heart attack" of work to get done.
2. Curtail all social activities in December.
3. Buy a freezer in October and make Christmas meals to put in it.
4. Make less food overall; don't fill the fridge but send people to the store as needed.
5. Simplify our Christmas Day schedule.
6. Simplify Cox Christmas.
7. Simplify our Christmas letter/card.
8. Shop ahead - don't try to make everyone's dreams come true.
9. Get paper plates and cups.
10. Take a nap on Christmas afternoon.

Erin and Jim drove in on the Saturday before Christmas, and are still here! The boys love the old typewriter and the staplers and have been occupying themselves making "books" for days! That and playing in the backyard. They're very good at occupying themselves!

Christmas Eve at Mom and Dad's house was so nice, as usual! Aunt Gretchen brought the "Happy Birthday, Jesus" cake and our little shepherds led the singing and blew out the candles. Such a good idea! It really brings home the idea of what Christmas is about!

Gift opening was fun... here are mom, Uncle Elmer and dad tearing into their loot. Lots of fruit from various fruit trees was shared... as well as some nice gifts!

David and I were havin' a good time... very fun!

Christmas morning Grammy and Poppa and Luke came up to our house for Christmas breakfast. Here's dad reading the email he got from Ariana where she is explaining what Amelia said to the Queen that morning! My word, this is going to become a family legend!

We had a nice breakfast and just enjoyed sitting and talking together for the whole morning! Yes!

At 2:00 Gretchen and Chris arrived after having a nice Christmas morning at their home in North Hollywood, joined by Chris's dad, John, Anders and Lars. That's when we all opened presents, which was a more relaxing way to do it!

Here's Anders in a new shirt.

Jim and Wade...

Garrett in his new police uniform...

 

Wyatt in his tiger "Hobbs" mask... 

I got that nap and it was a very nice day! On Saturday December 29th we had Cox Christmas and this year we met at the family home in Redondo Beach again! It's been several years since we had Christmas there and it felt really nice. The very best part of Cox Christmas is meeting up with everyone who can come and this year we made special memories together that we'll always treasure.

Jim and Sandy were here from Kansas - talking to Colleen Cox.

All four of us daughters-in-law, Mary, Sandy, Hilary and me, go way back and it was sweet to be together this year. We have lots of old pictures together where we're all pregnant and we always have so much to talk about.

Mom Cox, in front, enjoyed having everyone come back to her bedroom and visit with her and was glad to be rolled outside for a picture. She always orchestrated a family photo every year at Christmas, so we have several of them out on the porch like this.

But just standing around talking was the best part! Tom, Brian, Jim and Hilary...

Chris, Lars, Gretchen and Aunt Mary, with Jim, Erin and Wade on the porch.

In the laundry room we set up a gingerbread house station and the kids had fun playing with crackers, icing and candies. Garrett, Tommy and Anders.

Garrett and Tommy...

Jeff, Chris and Kevin had techy things to talk about...

And after we left, David drove me around in the Sleepy Hollow area of Torrance where they really go all out decorating their houses. Isn't this pretty?

And today... after going to church and to In N' Out for lunch, everyone took a nap who wanted one, it was cold outside and we had a fire in the fireplace. Ohhhh, bliss. There's more fun ahead, but it's been a very nice Christmas!

New Years Blessings to You and Yours!