IT MUST BE TOUGH...

being adored by so many! Little Goober got to experience his first Christmas gathering with the Thomas clan up in Dallas this weekend. It's been eighteen years since we had a new baby in this family, and I can't help but wonder, what on earth did we do to entertain ourselves in the interim?

Sister Gus hosted us all at her house up in Plano this year.

Uncle Bud, usually the quiet one sitting in the back, just couldn't resist joining in the fun. Every time Goobs tried to go up on his knees, his legs just slid right out from under him, thanks to their shiny-slick floor. Pretty funny for all of us, but kinda frustrating for him. Once we rolled up his jammy legs he really took off, and actually crawled for us for the first time!

What he really loved was when his daddy took advantage of that slick floor and slid him all around on his swaddle cloth.

Papaw Snuggles

Poodie's Glasses - His New Favorite Toy

Cousin Steph

An Adorable Snowman Hat From Aunt Gus and Uncle Bud

So Much Fun Can Be Exhausting!

We originally exchanged gifts with every single person in the family, but when all our kids got old enough to participate, we finally broke down and started drawing names instead. Now, with the addition of a new generation, we decided to change things up yet again. This year we each brought one small inexpensive, gender-neutral gift, then did one of those crazy exchanges where you can pick a gift from under the tree, or steal one that someone else has already opened. Areej's dad was pretty tickled with his Attack of the 50 Foot Woman socks...

for about ten seconds -- which is how long it took for my hubby to steal them from him!

Another hit was the Fandango gift card that came in a musical Christmas card brought by this crazy guy ...

a musical card which, once opened, never ever stops playing its obnoxious ditty. Unless, of course, you finally get so frustrated that you actually rip the battery out -- in which case it explodes glitter all over you! Poor Uncle Willy.

Now if only these two brother-in-laws had something in common and got along just a little bit better...