Christmas Wrap-Up

Our gingerbread houses. Left: Clay's, Right: Mine

I hate to break it to those of you who are reading, but Clay and I have the best families EVER! Since our parents are divorced, we have two Christmas gatherings a piece. December was a great month, full of laughter, new memories, family and friends.

On December 10, we went to Clay's mom's house to open gifts and fellowship with the family. All three nephews and our niece were there, so it was a blast. We got two of our nephews Lego cars that they put together quickly and the four kids spent the afternoon giggling at the cars crashing into walls and feet.

From there, we went to Fayette to spend the night with Clay's dad and stepmom, Rosita. Their house is so comfortable and basically like a second home for me. The next morning, the rest of the family showed up for more food and more presents! When all the gifts were opened, Clay's dad said there was one more gift for someone who wasn't there to accept it and walked toward us with a bag. I knew this was for the baby and a lump immediately rose in my throat. I dare you tell me this baby doesn't have the best family after seeing these.


This is a very special gift
For our grand baby you see.
Because this is the very first year
That you'll have something under our tree.
We don't know yet if you're a girl or boy
But we don't care.
Because either one will bring us lots of joy.
You don't yet know how luck you'll be
To have Christian parents to love you
But someday- you will see.
For now we leave you in God's care
But when you make your grand entrance
Paw Paw and Nana will surely be there.
We'll pick you up and love
And hold your little hand.
This will officially greet you
Into "The Stoker Clan."

On the 16th, we met my mom to pick up our big Christmas gift from her and my stepdad, Eddy. We chose a convertible crib so when our little girl/boy becomes a big girl/boy (nooooo, my baby!!!), transitioning will be easy. While we were there, we picked out the travel system since it was on super sale. Thanks to a gift card from my coworkers, we didn't pay a cent out of pocket for the stroller or car seat!

We were anxious to get everything together, so we spent the weekend putting both big things together and rearranging the house to get the nursery ready.

Both of my families gather on Christmas Eve which makes things much easier since they're about 80 miles away. We set out around noon to get to our first stop- the nursing home to visit my great Grandmother. We spent roughly an hour with her, talking about my late Papa (one of the greatest men to ever live in my eyes) and the baby. She was thrilled to learn about her very first great, great grandbaby.

When we got to my paternal Grandmother's house, they immediately made me sit down and open a gift. I unwrapped a recordable Christmas book. My great grandmother, grandmother and aunt had recorded the story in their voices and left a page for my maternal grandmother to record also. Yes, I bawled. It's such a precious gift and perfect timing. I gave my dad a small box to unwrap that contained a small framed picture of the first ultrasound. I don't think I've ever seen my dad smile so much. It made me so happy to see how excited he was to be a grandfather; he showed it off to everyone!

We also spent a few hours at my maternal grandmother and grandfather's house. That side of my family is huge and ridiculously close. Most of the family didn't know our good news, so we told the whole family about Baby Stoker's arrival while everyone was together. I'm so glad they finally know- it's been torture keeping it quiet! Baby Stoker got his/her first Bible from my grandparents, which I will treasure. Somehow I didn't take many pictures, but did take this video of my second cousin, Whitley. I had to share the preciousness of this kiddo.


Clay and I decided not to do real gifts for each other, but I had to do stocking stuffers. We spent Christmas morning opening stockings and the girls were very happy campers.


They got a toy to share and both got one big gift: Bailey, a new bed for the living room (which she has now learned to curl up in instead of laying straigt) and Jenna, a new Kohl's stuffed lion. Of course, both had to try out the other's new stuff.


Overall, we had an awesome, memorable Christmas. It wasn't about gifts or shopping, but spending time with people we love and celebrating the birth and love of our Savior. Our first married Christmas and last Christmas as a family of four was a success and I'm already pumped about Christmas 2012!