These are a few of my favorite things...Christmas 2013 Ed.

We had an amazing set of Christmases this year! Our first celebration kicked off on Saturday, December 21st with Jay's mom's side of the family. I hosted that one which lucky for me (and them) just means that I provide the home and everyone else does the cooking. We had 15-16 people and this side of the family always does fajitas for Christmas. We usually end up getting together at the end of the holidays and fajitas are amazing after all the rich holiday food. It was still great! I forgot to take pictures but did get this one of Jay and his 'lap dog'. 

That night after all the extended family left, we opened gifts with Jay's parents, brother (Matt) and Matt's girlfriend, Brittney. We had a great time! 

This was the aftermath. Jay asleep and surrounded by boxes and dogs! 

We followed that Christmas up with Christmas at my parents' house on Christmas Eve. This was my favorite Christmas ever thanks to my nephews--very popular and likable guys!! Owen and Will both celebrated their first Christmases this year!! Crazy year for The Swain Family but our hearts are so full of love for these little guys. I had to work on Christmas Eve so Jay and I drove to Brownfield for dinner after I got off work.  My mom cooked an incredible meal and we had a great time playing with Owen while Will slept the whole time (what a downer)! I did a little better with pictures on this one. 

He loves his Aunt Hill!

Uncle Jay is so funny!

Collage that I put on Instagram 

Ladies, ladies give me some space. 

Owen was a complete mess. His Aunt Hill may have gone overboard on the shopping and he had about 15 gifts too many. We opened 3 gifts that I got him and it was a mad house so all of his other stuff from my parents and Joel and Ashley waited for the next day. One thing is for sure--Christmas is more fun with babies!!

On Christmas Day we got up early and drove to Jay's grandfather's house in Crowell with Matt in tow for our last Christmas get-together for the season. Bill and Donna were supposed to meet us there from College Station but Donna got a terrible case of the flu and they couldn't make the trip. Once we got there we discovered that two of Jay's cousins (who were there) also had the flu. Not cool. The total flu count is up to 9 and I'm using positive thinking to stay well. That's what I'm telling myself anyways. Other than the flu, we had a great time with Jay's family. I only got one picture of Jay's grandad in Kenzley's tutu. Pretty cute! :)

I just re-realized that this post was called 'a few of my favorite things' and that I derailed by detailing our Christmas celebrations. Oops! I'll try and work that into my next post! 

Merry Christmas to all! Still counting my blessings! 

ht