Well Jamie wrote the short version of Christmas 2008 in his last entry but I thought I would elaborate on the events a little.
Our second trip to Georgia was the week prior to Christmas we drove up on Thursday Dec. 18th. Joey did well on the drive once again. The next day Friday the 19th we (me, Jamie and Joey) went to Walton county and Gwinnett county to visit as many of our friends as we could fit into a day. It was a busy but fun day. We visited with Jim and Cat and met their new son Charlie. We also stopped by my old place of employment to visit with friends there. We were able to see Adriana and Denise, which was fun because it was a complete surprise they didn't know we were coming. Then we met with John, Tara and Abbie for dinner followed by a stop at Tara's parent to say hello to Helen and Maurice. After this stop we went to visit Rhona, James, Matthew and Kathleen who had company visiting them from Scotland! Rhona's Aunt Betty, Uncle Hugh and Cousin Amanda were in the states for a good long visit. We were fortunate to meet this part of Rhona's family in 2005 so we were excited to see them this year as well, not to mention that we were excited to introduce them to Joey. This last visit wasn't nearly long enough though we wished we could have stayed and visited longer but our day was getting rather long by this point so we headed back to Nanalaine and Papa's house where Joey's Aunt Christie was waiting to see us.
Christie had driven from Tennessee that day to come celebrate Christmas in Georgia. When we got to the house we spent some time visiting with Christie before we all headed to bed to get a good nights rest.
The next day Saturday, some of the family went out to do some Christmas shopping but Joey and I opted to stay in and relax. It was a very nice day and we just enjoyed being around family.
Sunday Dec. 21st we went to church at Peachtree City Church of Christ, Joey's second time there. With Christmas being so close there were many out of town visitors attending church there that day. Between the out of town visitors and many friends that still live in the area there were so many people to catch up with, it was so much fun. I think most knew by that time we'd had a son and some had met him during our first visit but there were a few that had not so they were excited to meet Joey. A few of these friends had new babies we also enjoyed meeting as well like Hunter and Macie. After morning service we enjoyed lunch with a big group at a local Chinese restaurant. We met some of the family there like Wade and Brandon. Wade was participating in a party that day so he was sporting a new look, he was acting as special assistant to Santa. Wade dressed up and played the part of Santa for the children's party at church that day, after the party while he was still dressed up he stopped by the house to let us take pictures with him. Most of the family had their picture taken with him, so did Courtney and Hunter since they had come over for a visit after lunch. After Wade's visit we had time for a short rest and then we all went back to PTC Church of Christ for evening service. Following evening church we went with a large group to have dinner at Partner's Pizza. I think it was possibly the largest group I've seen gather there after church, I think I counted friends gathered at 6 or more of the tables in one of the large rooms. After dinner when it was time to say goodbye as usual we only wished there was more time to spend with friends, but we still had a few days to spend with family.
Monday Jamie and I left Joey for the very first time, we left him with his Nanalaine and Papa while we went out to finish the last of our Christmas shopping. After we completed our shopping we made arrangements to meet Jamie's cousin Barbara and her boys for lunch then we went back to Nanalaine and Papa's to introduce Barbara and her sons to Joey.
Monday evening though was a special night with family. Nanalaine made a special meal and we celebrated an early Christmas Eve with Nanalaine, Papa, Aunt Christie and Great Grandmother. It was a very good meal and we had a good time together that evening. The night ended as most Christmas Eve's do with Jamie asking if we could go ahead and open presents, he was out voted though, we opted to wait till the next morning.
Tuesday Dec. 23rd we celebrated an early Christmas exchanging gifts and having a wonderful brunch. We enjoyed watching the gifts we gave being opened and enjoyed the surprises we had opening the ones given to us. The most fun for all I think was seeing what Joey received for his first Christmas though. I doubt we will ever see him behave the same way in regards to Christmas again. This first one we went around the room each opening a present and repeating the circle. Joey was asleep not long after we started this process though. I think he stayed awake to see one or two of his presents opened. Once he was asleep we decided to save his things and open them when we woke back up, which is exactly what we did.
Joey enjoyed all the fuss and obviously enjoyed some of his presents that day, anything that made noise like his new rainfall rattle caught his attention and kept him amused.
The rest of the day was spent relaxing and enjoying being with family. We did have a few visitors as the day went on which was nice, Joey met more cousins. Carl, Thelma and Lauren stopped by, this was the first time they saw Joey.
The next morning Wednesday Dec. 24th we all enjoyed a nice breakfast together but then Jamie and I had to pack up our things and Joey's so we could go home. It's always sad to say goodbye but we still had Christmas day to look forward to at home. So we made our way home, it was a good day, the drive went well and Joey traveled well that day. Despite traveling during the day Joey wasn't too fussy and he enjoyed our second stop that day very much. Our first stop was in Valdosta GA where we all got a break from the car and took care of the necessities. The next stop was in or near Ocala FL but it was more fun for Joey because Jamie took Joey's travel play mat out and set it up on the truck bed cover so Joey could stretch out and play a little before having to finish the trip home. It was so cute to come back out from the store we stopped at to see Joey laying on his mat and batting at his toys. He was so happy and it was the perfect day for it, it was a nice temperature out and it was a clear day.
Once we were home we got ourselves unpacked and settled back into home, we relaxed the rest of the evening.
Christmas day December 25th 2008, Jamie worked day shift, it was a good day for him at work but I'm sure he was looking forward to coming home. While Jamie was at work I spent my day playing with and taking care of Joey, in between meeting his needs I also prepared a nice dinner for our Christmas dinner. Once Jamie was home we enjoyed dinner together, then we finished out the day opening the gifts that were sent to us from family living across the country.
Joey's first Christmas was a wonderful one but I'm sure that Jamie and I will remember it best, it was even more special for us as first time parents. I'm certain it is an experience we will always treasure.
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