Our first Christmas with Junebug was sublime. I've always loved Christmas vacation, but experiencing the magic of Christmas with Dakota and spending time with our families elevated this Christmas to one I know I'll never forget.
We spent Christmas Eve Eve with Mimi and T-Paw and Auntie Nay-nay. We all had so much fun opening presents! To start with, Mimi had picked out fun Christmas hats for everyone. There were sooo many presents, but the highlights were that Dakota got a cute rocking bug, a blue stuffed monkey that had Mimi's voice recorded inside and new (badly needed) teethers! Dad got a shop vac, new tool box and awesome Texans sign for the yard. New boots, an iPad cover, and a sweet Kerby memory book is what Mom unwrapped! We ate some delicious steaks and played a hilarious remote control Sumo wrestling game and passed out from all the fun shortly after. Thoughtful Grandma Katie sent a present too for Dakota- a sweet doll and educational train that sings, lights up, and moves. We all enjoyed watching Dakota have a blast with wrapping paper- crumpling it in her hands and then tasting it.
Christmas Eve we headed to Nana and Nono's in time for an afternoon Christmas service at Alvin First United Methodist Church. One of my highlights of the vacation, was sitting in a pew and singing Christmas Carols in church with my husband and baby girl along with Great Grandmommy and Granddad, Aunt Kate, Bret and Laura and Katie, Nana and Nono, Jen, and Derek and Jessica and Devin. To see our family not fit in one pew was symbolic to me of our newest additions, yet being there with my Mom and Dad and brother and sister was so heartwarming. It was a perfect intersection of Christmas Past and Present. Even though I know she's too young to understand it all now, I am so looking forward to sharing the joy and wonder of Christmas with Dakota. After church, Nana cooked up a beautiful Italian Christmas dinner with manicotti, gnocchi, and roasted broccoli and cauliflower. It was so adorable to see Devin and Dakota together - this age is one of the sweetest!
Christmas morning we woke up very early - Dakota in her new pink giraffe pjs that Nana had bought her. We came downstairs and slept for a lil bit longer, but at 7:30 am we were up. We sneaked at our stockings while waiting for cousin Devin, Uncle Derek and Aunt Jessica to arrive. Once they arrived, we got to chow down on breakfast sausage roll bread and Orange Julius. Devin and Dakota opted for some bananas with breast milk - such big girls starting their solid food! Dakota must have been a really good girl because she got some cute clothes from Aunt Jen, a shape sorter and grapple from Aunt Jessica and Uncle Derek, and a pretty James Avery charm bracelet, blue Eric Carle Elephant, and stuffed chicken with leg warmers from Nana and Nono (pictured here). 
After a walk out in the country, we headed toward Great Grandmommy's (Gigis) for the Nelson Christmas. And there were even more presents. Dakota got a cute white dress and fun Christmas book from cousin Katie. Gigi contributed $500 to Junebug's scholarship fund- amazing! We played a fun White Elephant game with restaurant gift cards and then ate - again! ha It was great to visit with Aunt Cate- and it was her first time meeting Devin and Dakota. She had brought an old Kodak projector and Bret had some 8 millimeter film he recorded when has 12. It was full of chickens running around the year, Gigi's old cat Sheba, and fun family shots. So neat to see! Mom got to play 42 while Dad and Gigi made a Texans and Astros blanket. Katie even got her Mom and Dad to swing dance for her. Afterwards, we came home and watched Christmas movies and passed out.
The next day we got to spend time with Cali Gaga and Papa, who came into town for Christmas! It was so great to see them again and catch up. Dakota showed them her latest tricks- crawling around, her "Bbbb" sounds - complete with spit, and her two bottom front teeth. We loved opening our presents - Dirk got a hilarious Farts book (perfect)! And we each got gift cards - more diapers!!! haha j/k We got to have a very festive dinner with Cali Gaga and Papa, Auntie Nay-nay and Kurt at one of Shelli's favorites, Pappasito's! Dakota was a fan of the mariachi bands singing Jingle Bells.
Dalmolin Christmas was a fun and rambunctious event as usual. I always feel like it passes so quickly. There are so many young kids now! Scooting down stairs, playing with Jennifer and I's old dolls, wanting to open presents- ha! The smell of delicious food wafting throughout out the house builds excitement for dinnertime. I was so surprised my brother made fried cauliflower, at how much I miss my Mom's stew and polenta, and getting to eat Uncle Andy's delicious gnocchi - yum! At the time of this picture, Dakota has already gone to bed, but sweet Daddy held up her name on a sign to let her know we were thinking of her. This year there lots of gifts for the little ones- Mila, Luca, Shayenne, Jessica and Devin and Dakota. I love looking at this picture and thinking it all started with the sweet man in the middle of this picture, and his wife, our Granny.
Once we got home, Daddy and I got to have our own family Christmas with Dakota. I was touched by how many gifts he picked out for our baby girl; the most precious BabyGap clothes, a twoolie Hippopotamous, and interactive toys. Her stocking was full of badly needed baby proofing items, a sippy cup with a straw, and matching Vans socks with Daddy. Dad surprised Mom with beautiful Kendra Scott jewelry and Mom surprised Dad with Kamado Joe accessories. I can't wait for Daddy to cook us up some steaks. Louie got some cute dog toys and lumps of coal - which were actually treats.
All in all, a Christmas for the record books!!! I will cherish this one for a very long time since we were able to see as much family as possible. How can you beat that??
Here are our latest monthly pics:
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