Bidding Adieu to 2011

We have had big plans to ring in the new year with cousins and friends in College Station this year. But a certain little someone decided he would like to ride out the rest of 2011 with a high fever. So our evening may end up looking a little more like this:

Whatever your plans may be, big or small, we wish you all a wonderful new year

The Day After

The day after Christmas, all 13 of us got together again for the third day in a row (definitely a Langford family record!). This time we ventured out to my dad's photography studio for a photo shoot. It was primarily a shoot of the munchkins, though the rest of us couldn't help but jump in front of the camera for some fun. You definitely can't be born, or marry, into this family without being naturally comfortable in front of a camera. It's obviously in the genes as even baby Milo cooperated quite well during his first shoot! 

The inspiration for the shoot was based on this pinterest find that my sister and I came across a few months ago. Like the original photo, my mom and I made all of the littles a shirt according to their age ( 10, 5, 4, 1, and 2/73rds). But we also decided that a hint of everyones personality should be on display a bit too. It definitely made for a fun and rowdy time, and we managed a hundred or so cute shots. Too bad you're going to have to wait to see the final group shot! 

I was on standby to catch my capricous toddler

Augie in his element

Langford Family Christmas (celebration #2)

After we leave the birthday party, we make a point to caravan to some of our favorite holiday lights downtown and in the Park Cities. We always have to swing by the Neiman Marcus flagship store downtown to check out their tree and window displays. But this year, I have to say it was pretty darn disappointing. So much so that we didn't even venture to get out of the car. I sure hope they get their act together next year!

decorations ala downtown Dallas

After gawking at the light displays, we continue our hour and a half drive back out to my parents house. Where once everyone arrives, we get busy opening our Christmas pajamas, get cookies and a note ready for Santa, wrangle the excited munchkins down to bed way past their bedtimes, watch Christmas Vacation while we wrap any remaining gifts, and then 'patiently' try to wait up long enough for Santa's arrival...which I believe came at about 2:30 this year!?!

Emeri's note reads:

 'Dear Santa, I'm sorry that I couldn't make it to take Santa pictures this year. I still love you. Emeri.'

Before you know it, the kids wake up and are ready to see what the big man brought. Augie woke up ridiculously early this year, but since baby Milo decided that he prefers to sleep in the living room, Kevin had to entertain him in our room with the ipad for an hour or so before Noah sent the signal for freedom.

Santa brought Augie a little people airport!

After we survey the goods, throw back some coffee, chow down on Cinnamon Rolls and biscuits, and open stockings. We slowly make ourselves presentable while we wait for Tim, Nell, and Saoirse to arrive to open presents.

Uncle 'Tevin' finally getting acquainted with Milo!

Finally, Let the festivities begin!

As with the Gupton family Christmas, August was not very interested in sitting still to open presents. He wasn't remotely interested in shredding mounds of paper or even playing with new toys. But thankfully he was content to sit and watch Pocoyo on the ipad while everyone else took their turn around the circle. At least he would occasionally look up to clap for a gift that he must have deemed to be special.

Towards the end we sped up the gift opening process this year so that we could get on with lunch, and everyone else can head out to their next destinations. Thankfully we had no where else to be, so Kevin, August, and I were able to hang out with just my parents and watch Christmas Story on loop, play with all of the new toys, and of course take a much needed nap. 

All in all, it was another wonderful Langford family Christmas. I can't say enough, how very blessed I feel to have been able to celebrate another holiday with such a happy, healthy, family. 

even Muppet Momo dawned festive attire this year!

celebrating FOUR

We usually have quite the busy schedule when we head up to see my family for Christmas. After unloading luggage, dogs,  and gifts in Granbury, our first stop is always across Dallas to celebrate my nephew's birthday. Saoirse tried to take all of the attention from Christmas day four years ago, but wisely decided to throw everyone for a loop on the 24th instead. Every year since, his two extended families have gathered to celebrate the awesome little guy.

birthday boy!

balloons were the most exciting hit of the day!

Between Christmases

Thankfully Kevin took the week off between family gatherings, so I was still able to get my work done while Augie was entertained. And we were both able to get a few projects taken care of as well as enjoy our first date night in almost a year, I know, pretty pitiful. It's always a nice, relaxing change of pace to have him home with us! But before we knew it, it was time to load everyone back up and head north for a couple of family gatherings.

I had a fun time integrating Augie's new toy stash with his existing collection

While Kevin got busy making his famous cookies!

Augie stayed pretty self-entertained

and THANKFULLY napped most of the way to north Texas!

Gupton Family Christmas (celebration #1)

The weekend before Christmas we typically get together with Kevin's family for our annual holiday gathering. Keeping with the tradition this past Saturday, we loaded up the car and drove down to Floresville for a weekend of Christmas splendor.

After feasting for most of the afternoon, we finally got around to opening presents Saturday evening. Perhaps we waited too long, or August was just overwhelmed with the multitude of packages with his name on them, but whatever the reason, August just wasn't really in the mood to open gifts. After somewhat patiently waiting for the gifts to be passed around, he decided enough was enough and he would much rather go snack on some crackers ("cackos") in the kitchen with Uncle Craig. He would occasionally re-enter the room long enough to play with some wrapping paper or ribbon, and then sneak back to a dark bedroom to jump on the bed. So after most everyone had their turn, we decided it was time to open up his gifts for him. He seemed moderately interested, but did let out an audible squeal when he laid eyes on his big, green recycling truck. After most of the commotion subsided, and the mounds of paper picked up, he snuggled up into his KayKay's chair so that they could read some of his new books.

After a restful nights sleep, we awoke early on Sunday ready to play! A good portion of the day was spent playing outside with cousins Catherine and Renee, with only a few breaks inside for meals and a nap. 

Right before the sun started to set, Kevin thought it would be fun for all of us to check out one of the local city parks. Leaving the grandparents and great-grandparents to nap, we loaded up and caravanned to the other side of town for some serious playing. There was your typical playground mayhem, followed by large scale log climbing, capped off with some baseball field trespassing for a game of base-frisbee, or something like that...

We had a wonderful weekend filled with family and playing, but when Monday came around it was time for everyone to get back to business. So we took our time cramming all of this years spoils into the car, and ran into town to say one last goodbye to Augie's KayKay at her work. After a big round of hugs, and a brief lesson in Zoology, it was time to get back in the car and head home. But not without stopping at the local greasy spoon for some nourishment of course.