Quinn's White Christmas

There's nothing better than a white Christmas unless you get to share that white Christmas with a beautiful new baby! Quinn, Jeremy and I (and of course the dogs) spent the week in Odessa (my hometown) for Christmas and it was wonderful. It snowed all day on the 24th and most of the day on Christmas Day. The dogs loved it too!

Mom's front porch turned white.

Ella and Lexi loved the snow!

I love, love, love being home for Christmas! It's my favorite time and even though there is a little stress in traveling, it's always worth it to be around family. Just the smell of my Mom's house when we walked in made me so happy! (A mix of pound cake, stew and Christmas potpourri.) I am so glad Q got to have her first Christmas at the house in which my Mom grew up and our extended family has made so many memories.

Nannie Mae (my Mom) was SO excited to have Quinn home. She couldn't get enough of her! The greatest part of the trip was that Quinn reached a milestone...she started smiling and talking! It was so awesome! My Mom got her talking on the second day we were there. Quinn loves hearing her voice, and over the next few days she was smiling and talking to everyone.

Nannie Mae wanted Quinn to stay with her forever.

Smiling and talking to Mama after a full belly.

Traveling With a Baby
Who knew a baby could have so much stuff?! I mean, let's be honest, she didn't need some of it, but I had to pack enough outfits for her to have options! Luckily, my Mom had a crib set up for us, so we didn't have to take the pack and play, but all our other stuff and the two dogs filled our SUV to the brim. Quinn did so well! We only had to stop twice, and our normally 5.5 hour trip only took us 7 hours. Way to go Q! I think traveling and breastfeeding in the car was the most interesting part...let's just say a lot of modesty goes out the window (pun intended).

All packed with Quinn's clothes hanging in place of Mama's. Mine just got stuffed in a suitcase! :)

Quinn learned how to drive at Christmas. 

Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve afternoon was pretty low key and we spent the later part opening gifts with my Mom, Emily, Justin and Abby. Quinn got some cuddle time while I opened the massive amount of gifts she received. Let's just say she has plenty of clothes! One of the most memorable moments was when Justin gave Abby a pearl necklace that was our Margaret's. My Mom had saved it for his future wife and Abby was so moved. I am so glad she is going to be a part of our family and I know Margaret is looking down just as thrilled as we are!

Aunt Abby cuddling with Q and wearing one of the gifts I got for her: ear muffs for the wedding in Utah complete with fur and rhinestones on the headband.

Opening gifts!

Pawpaw loved his framed photo of Quinn.

 Justin and Emily sharing some sibling love.

Abby opening the pearls...let the waterworks begin.

My Mom's side of the family has always had a tradition of spending Christmas Eve together. We used to all gather at my Margaret's house where Santa had already come and exchange gifts. All the cousins would draw names and Margaret would make food. The past few years, we have continued to meet but at my cousin Erica's house. I couldn't wait to take Quinn over there to meet all her crazy cousins and her Great Aunt Sandra and Uncle Randy. She didn't disappoint...Sandra cried. :) Uncle Randy always gives nicknames to babies when they are born and Quinn's is the best. Ready? Quinn will be called Snowflake from now on when she's around Uncle Randy. He said it's because she is unique and there is not another one like her, just like a snowflake. I LOVE IT!

Family photo on Christmas Eve.

Q loved meeting all her cousins.

Aunt Sandra getting some cuddle time.

Christmas Day
Santa came to see Quinn! Nannie Mae couldn't help herself and Quinn got a precious pink rocking horse, a crawl-to-walk toy and some other fun stuff from "Santa." Jeremy and I decided it wasn't really necessary to get Quinn a Christmas gift this year. My Aunt Kerri got us a "My First Christmas" ornament and we tend to buy stuff for her every week. Plus, we can save the money and go all out next year when she can sort of appreciate it!

Quinn on her new rocking horse from Santa.

 Talking to Nannie Mae on Christmas morning.

My Dad's side of the family has a tradition of gathering on Christmas morning in our pajamas. My Aunt Kerri makes breakfast and we usually wait around for my Mimi and Tom since they are habitually late. But, they always come with TONS of gifts, so it's hard to complain. This year it was fun to see Quinn get toys and clothes (of course my Dad, Quinn's PawPaw, had to get her Red Raider gear). I can already tell that Christmas will be very different from now on. I will not want anything and I will want Q to get everything!

Q got to meet her great Aunt Kerri and cousin Brady.

I had the Moby ready to go, and Jeremy tried on his new red "jury picking" tie.

After our Christmas morning, we went back to my Mom's house to get dressed and then we headed over to Mimi's house for lunch. It was so fun being around family, but I must say, Quinn is going to have to get used to that side of the family. They are very loud and rambunctious, but that's what makes them my family and I love that about them. We got to see my great-grandmother, Nana, and she was so proud of Quinn. She got her a doll for Christmas and wanted to hold her every time she heard her cry. Poor Nana is not strong enough to hold Quinn, so I sat and helped her hold her for a while. We also got to take a photo with all five generations that will always be very special to me (and of course Quinn later on).

 Family photo on Christmas Day.

Nana loved meeting her first great-great granddaughter.

Quinn loved talking to Mimi and her cousin Tobi.

Talking up a storm with Mimi.

Five generations of women on my Dad's side.
(Nana, Mimi, Aunt Kerri, Tobi and Me and then Quinn.)

Quinn loves her PawPaw!

We spent Christmas night at home with Mom, Emily and Dennis. It's funny to think about what Christmas was like before Quinn. Normally, we would play games and stay up late watching a movie or talking, but this year Quinn dictated our schedule. We fed her and got her to sleep, and then went to bed early. Such is the life of a new parent, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I can't wait until next Christmas when her face will light up at the gifts, Christmas lights and the story of Baby Jesus.