Merry Christmas from the Family

This year for Christmas, just like every year we pull double duty on the holidays. We started Christmas up here with my family. We woke up Christmas morning did stockings at our house (a first for us). Then, we went over to my parents house to do Santa and presents with them. Mom made us a yummy brunch complete with egg casserole, sausage balls, blueberry muffins and fruit. Justin and I were very blessed with some great gifts including a new digital camera. So, I guess Mom D gets her camera back after all. So, from this point forward the pictures are from our new camera. We left Dallas around 2 and headed down to Houston.

Our first stop was Justin's sisters. We love getting to see her and her kiddos. Unfortunately, we don't get to see them all that much.

Here is Fayth snowboarding on the Wii.

Logan (aka Shaun White of the Wii) showing us how it is done.

Jenny, Logan and Fayth. Aren't they all too cute.

Fayth opening her present.

Both kiddos opening presents.

Friday evening we went to dinner with Justin's parents and his brother and Drew's girlfriend Erin. After dinner we drove over to an open parking lot to exchange gifts with Dad D and Erin. We thought the restaurant was too crowded.

Here is dad with his horse asleep in recliner figurine. You see that is where Dad D spends most of his time at home. Asleep in his recliner; I mean just resting his eyes.

Saturday we continued the Christmas celebration with the Payne family (Justin's mom's side). We all go over to Grandma's for food and fun.

Tyler and Westley both look so excited to be there.
Austin and Mom D passing out the presents.

The group seeing what Grandma got. Standing left to right: Uncle Robert, Uncle Jan, Aunt Suzanne, Sitting left to right: Drew and Grandma
Justin explaining our gift to Grandma. We got her a humming bird wind spinner. She loves humming birds.

We stayed in Houston until Sunday night. We had so much fun visiting with family. We even proved to Andy and Erin we are not the old, boring, married couple they thought we were. Even old 28 year olds know how to have a good time. We also caught a movie while in Houston. We saw Four Christmases. I thought that movie was great. I think we all needed a laugh.

Oh, one quick little observation. This year I have heard on the radio several time "Merry Christmas from the Family." For those that didn't know, this is a remake. The original was by Robert Ear Keen. If you have never heard the original you should check it out. Much better than the Montgomery Gentry version. Merry Christmas!!!

A Dillard Christmas - Eve

Just like everyone else, we were very busy over the Christmas Holiday. On December 24th we went over to my parents house. You see, Christmas Eve is also my Dad's birthday. So every year we have tamales to celebrate Dad's big day. After dinner, Justin and I headed home to exchange Christmas PJs.

But on the way home we stopped to get picture of the biggest Christmas lights display I had seen in a long time.

Santa's Workshop. Yes, that is his garage.

This guy came driving by while we were out taking pictures of the house.

Santa's Sleigh.

Nativity Scene.

Full Nativity Scene.

Santa in his workshop.

Fun in the Brisk Cold Air

On Sunday after church Justin and I decided to go spend the day with Dave and Sharon. The boys watched football and Sharon and I went shopping. But, before we could go over to their house we had to be good dog parents and get the girls some exercise. So, they got to go into the front yard for some play time. Here are some of the pictures. Also, notice that Justin decide to be productive in the middle of playtime and started raking the leaves. Side note: These pics were taken with Mama Dillard's camera. I don't know if she is getting it back. I got some really good shots.

Playing Fetch.

I got it!!!

Aren't we cute!

Justin and the girls next to snow doggie.

What are you doing dad?

After we had enough fun we ran over to Dave and Sharons.

The boys watching some football.

Sharon and Sammi

And he is off. You see, Sammi doesn't like to have his picture taken. In fact, when a camera is out he high tails it for his kennel. Run Sammi, run!

Pre-Christmas Cheer

I was going through some old files this week and found this perfect picture of Rosie on Christmas Morning. This is probably going on hour 3 of opening presents Christmas Morning. Yes, my family takes a minimum of 3 hours to unwrap all the presents. We all have to take turns and my mom wraps everything in its own little box. So one outfit can take anywhere from 2 to 4 boxes. Anyways, enjoy the picture of tired Rosie in a bow.



She is actually lying next to Justin. Those were his Christmas PJs that year. Another family tradition, on Christmas Eve we all get new PJs to wear to bed. That way, Christmas morning you have nice ones on for the pictures. Justin and I are continuing the tradition in our house as well. I am trying to top the snow flake PJs (pictured here) and the Grinch PJs he got last year. The Grinch ones are his favorite. Merry Christmas!!!


At the request of Mama Dillard, here is an updated Christmas picture complete with Daisy.

Openning Post

This is the first post of our blog. I am not sure how frequently I will update it. I hope to be pretty diligent but, we will have to see.

Right now Justin and I are preparing for our first Christmas together in our first house. We decided to only do stockings this year and no presents. Actually, we are "giving" each other the gift of a wider driveway. Nothing says lets celebrate the birth of Christ than concrete. Hey, when you have a new house you have to spend your money wisely.

I started to wrap the presents for our family last night but, I couldn't find the scissors!!!! Seriously, how is it that I can find 8 rolls of tape and not one single pair of scissors. I have to make a stop by the store on the way home tonight. After I get all the presents wrapped I will post a picture of our tree. It may not be the most decorated but, I love it.

And, while we are the subject of Christmas many of you might be wondering where your Christmas Card is. Well, I am not doing them this year. I started with wanting to do a photo card of Justin, myself, Rosie and Daisy. So, I had the great idea of taking a picture while we were down in College Station for the Tech game. I even had Drew (my brother-in-law) bringing a good digital camera to capture the shot. Well, after the canopy fiasco (don't ask) and A&M losing to Tech, Justin was not in the mood for pictures. So, last week I convinced Justin to try and take the picture ourselves in front of our Christmas Tree. That didn't work because, the girls (mainly Rosie) wouldn't cooperate. You see, usually the only time I get in the floor with them and put them in my lap is to brush their teeth and clean their ears. So, Rosie thought I was going to torture her not take her picture. So, no happy family pictures. I did buy regular Christmas Cards but, it is not the same. So, call me Scrooge but no Christmas Cards this year.

BUT, let me say I have loved getting everyone cards. Especially the ones with the kiddos.