Christmas: Eve of and Day of

It's been about a week since Christmas/Christmas Eve, and per the usual, it's just now making it to the blog. Just in case you haven't noticed this will be the second post in one day, because I feel like I need to get 2012 stuff on the blog before 2013 arrives.

And since this is my last day to do it, there may be even more subsequent posts today.

Whoops.

I can safely report that for the second year in a row, we made it through Christmas without any tree ornament casualties.

I think we're getting good at this.

Strategic planning is all it takes. You can read about that Here.

Christmas Eve with the family was eventful, as always. We at shrimp until we couldn't eat shrimp anymore; at chocolate and Maple Nut Goodie Bars until we couldn't eat chocolate and Maple Nut Goodie Bars anymore...and then played our Christmas Trivia with...you guessed it, food prizes!!

And there were some good ones this year. Including a double pack of Klondike bars in the freezer that you can't see from the picture.

I personally was going for the 2 half-pound Reese's Peanut Butter cups. 

And I got 'em.

I answered the first question of the game correctly (there are a total of eight "la's" in the Christmas Carol "Deck the Halls") and answered the second question of the game correctly to freeze my Reese's so no one could steal them.

That's never happened to me before.

Reese's make me do crazy things.

 And Nate scored the huge container of red vines, so I'd definitely say it was a win-win for the Townsend's this Christmas Eve. As the prizes each year keep getting better and better, we'll have to really study our Christmas trivia throughout the year.

My dad really should too.

He's pretty bad.

Sorry to call you out in it, daddy, but I'm just bein' real.

Some family pictures at the end of the night always confirms a good time.

My Uncle told me he didn't want to see these up on my blog, but surely he had to know that I can't not post at least one right? Or a few?

So I picked the ones in which he looks most dashing, so he can't be mad at me.

At least he shouldn't be.

I may be surrendering my title of "favorite niece" for this, but I hope it doesn't have to come down to that.

Just sayin'.

Since Christmas was in the middle of the week this year and Nate had to work the day after, we didn't drive up north Christmas day for more of Nate's family's festivities. So we were fortunate enough to sleep in, open gifts, make pancakes for breakfast, and a whole-lotta nothin' else!

If it looks like I've been in my pajamas all day and didn't brush my hair...it's cause I didn't.

And it was marvelous.

I'm not really one to post pictures of Christmas gifts, cause I feel like sometimes it comes off as bragging...but I do wanna brag about one thing:

I got a bow! And it's pink! And I freakin' love it!

I've been out shooting twice now and it really is so fun! I almost kind of like it better than shooting a gun...cause it's not as loud.

Cause I'm weird when it comes to loud noises. You know, the vacuum, the garbage disposal, the shooting range.

Hurts my ears.

But the archery range is almost close to silent.

Just the way I like it.

Oh and Duck Dynasty. I have to brag about Duck Dynasty. Cause I think everyone can agree that Duck Dynasty is the shiz.

Since I've mentioned before how terribly difficult it is to shop for my husband, I was pretty proud of myself when I got one of his gifts early in September.

Nate is a die hard George Strait fan, but has never been able to see him live.

Earlier this year the King himself announced he'd be embarking on his last tour, The Cowboy Rides Away.

Bingo.

Christmas gift!

I went online to look for tickets but, what the heck?? He's not coming to Phoenix?! Which by the way, I have a bone to pick with you artists that don't stop in AZ. Phoenix is the 6th largest city in the country...how do you skip Phoenix, but make two stops in New Mexico?!

Whatever. I'll forgive you George. After all, you are the King. And plus it just means the hubs and I get to take a road trip!

I tried to be all clever and wrap boxes within boxes, and put a hint on each one using a George Strait lyric.

 I feel like I should get bonus points for this one.

And then, just like that, Christmas was over.

The day after Christmas has to easily be one of the most depressing days of the year.

There's nothing left under the tree.

My tree doesn't smell anymore.

KEZ is no longer playing Christmas music.

And I know that in a matter of days I'll be forced to take my decorations down.

What a bummer.

At least I still have some serious Reese's Peanut Butter cups to finish.

'Til next year!