Cantwell Christmas 2015

We always agree that we aren't going to go all out on each other or our kids. This year Chad and I bought some new furniture, a new mattress and two incredible pillows for our bed. We agreed that those things would be our Christmas gifts to each other and that was it. We talked about getting the kids 4 or 5 gifts each because they already have so much there was no need to over do anything.
What actually happened was Chad spoiled me and we spoiled our kids, again. Chad gave me a Yeti Rambler, a Tyme Iron, a Ninja blender and food processor, some of my favorite candy, an Under Armor jacket and two amazing tickets to the Adele concert. He really went above and beyond this year!
I feel like I totally failed him for Christmas gifts this year with the exception of one. I gave him a case of metal collar stays for his business travels, Superman playing cards, a handmade muscle relaxing balm, a bottle opener keychain that I had engraved to him (a message not his name), a Yeti Rambler with a decal to put on it and a massage. His "big" gift from me this year was a box of cigars from the New Orleans Cigar Factory which were hand picked from the awesome owner out of his personal stash. Al and Nancy, if you're reading this, thank you, he loved it!! He was happy with his gifts and I know he isn't disappointed in me so I'm not too worried but he really made my Christmas special!
Grace received three books she had been wanting and a pink flute case from Santa. She got many, many gift cards, some clothes, a couple of games/toys and as her big gift she received a new Mac Book Air laptop. She was so surprised and is very excited to start using it!
Abby was very happy to see that Santa left her rollerblades and an American Girl doll! She was also given several gift cards, a lot of super cute clothes, a couple of other toys and a new iPad mini. She is over the moon!
Santa left Orin a Chewbacca mask and a Zoomer Dinosaur. He was thrilled to see them both! He was a little skeptical about wearing the Chuy mask but as I'm typing this he is wearing the batteries out! Orin was gifted several other small toys, a lot of clothes, a couple of gift cards and many new Skylanders for his new Skylanders Super Chargers game. He and Chad are upstairs playing it now and loving it!
Our close friend Dave (Uncle Dave to our kids) came over early this morning to watch the fiasco of the kids opening their gifts. We came downstairs before he got here so they played with their Santa gifts and stocking gifts until he arrived a short time later. He is always thoughtful about what to give our kids, he did a great job this year!
My Dad gave each of our kids gifts that they loved! My Aunt, Grandma and Uncle Ed all pitched in for a family gift and presented us with season passes to Fiesta Texas! We will be getting a lot of good use out of those! Fiesta Texas is less than a 2 hour drive so we will be able to go often.
Late morning brought my Aunt Ardath and then my Dad and his girlfriend Marguerite. We all spent the day together and it was very nice. Uncle Dave left to join another friend and his wife for their Christmas meal and then I started getting our meal ready. Again, we ordered our meal from Boston Market so all I had to do was warm everything in the oven. I served Boston Market's spinach-artichoke dip and queso for appetizers/snacks while the food was warming up. My Aunt picked my Grandma Jane from her hotel room (all day at my home would have been overwhelming for her) to join us for the meal and to spend a few hours with us all. My Grandma will be 85 next week so I'm thankful she made the trip and was able to be in our home for Christmas Day!
After our meal we had a large selection of desserts, from creme brûlée cheesecake to gingerbread cookies to petit fours to pies. We have quite a bit left over and I'm ok with that! ;)
When everyone was done chatting and relaxing for a while we took the kids along with my Aunt to the Cedar Park PD and our local Fire Station to give those working today a big batch of cookies each.
Now everyone has gone home and we're left here to spend the evening together playing games, relaxing and reflecting about how amazing this Christmas and this year have been to us. We are so thankful for everyone in our lives, each of you are a part of it for a reason! We are thankful for new friends and also for the wisdom to let some relationship go. We are so happy to be right where we are and to have each other.
Our family would like to extend a special Thank You and Merry Christmas to everyone we love, everyone working a vital job today and our United States Military!
Merry Christmas everyone!

Until next time, count your blessings! :)

Sara