Larkin's First Christmas

Your first Christmas has come and gone but not without many special memories made.  We were able to celebrate with all of the family this year and we started early.  The week before Christmas we spent time with Stephen, Mallory and Cousin Luke.  They were in town for a week and we enjoyed our time together.  We walked the mall, visited Santa, hung out at our house and celebrated Christmas with Grandpa and Nana enjoying untraditional dinners.

Our early Christmas dinner with Grandpa Latham was at Olivella's pizza.  A delicious and cozy little pizza shop near Snider Plaza.  Afterwards we came back to our place and opened presents and enjoyed this yummy dessert.



Luke and Grandpa practice walking



Changing the channel to a Christmas movie although really that night we just ended up laughing at youtube videos

With Nana we celebrated an early Christmas starting with a shopping spree at Whole Foods where we enjoyed free samples, a Christmas jazz band and we purchased all the ingriedients we needed to create a Quesadilla Christmas Bar.  Jordan's standing joke the past 6 years of marriage in regards to when we registered for things was that we have never ever used our quesadilla maker.  Well, it was put to good use this night and food was delicious!  We even cooked our own tortillas.  Then we polished dinner off with Christmas Sprinkles Cupcakes and opening presents together.  You got some adorable clothes from your aunt and uncle and cute outfits, pjs and another chew toy (your new favorite) from Nana.

On the menu: chicken, steak or shrimp quesadillas

Daddy cuts the meat while Piper waits for falling scraps

The next day mommy spent at the Prima Care clinic where she found out she had strep throat.  We had to miss Nana's performance in her Church choir that night and saying goodbye to Cousin Luke and your aunt and uncle in person, but we watched the performance via Live Stream and saw Nana singing.

Christmas Eve's eve was celebrated again with Grandpa at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.  We were a little apprehensive about taking you to such a nice restaurant but you did quite well.  That night we came back exchanged gifts with David and Grandpa and watched an episode of Modern Family, Uncle David's gift to Grandpa.


Larkin shares his thoughts on formal dining

  

Uncle Dave



  

Apparently you helped Grandpa with a gift ;)

 Christmas Eve day was spent at the Brazeal's house.  We took you over first thing in the morning and had fun opening gifts and spending time with Mimi, Pop and your aunts and uncles.  You were showered with gifts and loved hanging out with your cousins, Landry and Logan. 

The Brazeal house at Christmas

Helping Pop open presents

Cousins

Aunt Shelle

Staring adoringly into Aunt Katie's eyes :)

Uncle Jerod

We went home that night and realized on our drive we had no food at home and all of the places to eat were closed.  We ended up finding a cozy little pizza place to eat dinner on your first Christmas Eve. 

Christmas morning we finished packing for our trip and spent that afternoon at Nana's making a gourmet Christmas meal: veal and grapes, pork chops, pasta salad and the works.  I had never really cooked something so fancy before, but we all chipped in and helped make the meal.  Although he always denies it, daddy is quite the cook.  The apartment smelled delicious and you got to meet Nana's friend, Tina.  You loved listening to Tina's chinese!

You got the most adorable beanie from Uncle David and this jumper from Nana

That night we went home and finished packing for our trip.  The next morning Daddy left at 4am and Nana took you and me to the airport where we were off on an adventure- our first trip with you!  More to come later :)  What a wonderful first Christmas.  We love you!