Well, Christmas 2007 has come and gone! I couldn't even believe it was here and now it's even harder to believe it's over.
Abby's first Christmas was a wonderful one. We drove down to Oregon to stay with Greg's family and my mom took the train down and met us on Christmas Eve. The ride down to Oregon with Abby went just fine. I think having her 15 year old cousin Brianna in the backseat with her for the four hours helped out tremendously. Brianna was with us the entire week before Christmas to watch Abby because I unexpectedly had to return to work a week early, so she saved the day and missed a few days of school to help out. I know she was disappointed about missing school (can you sense the sarcasm?), but her friends kept her in the loop by text messaging her all day and all night and keeping her up to date on Myspace. 7pm is a beautiful thing for a teenager who gets free minutes at night!
The best part of Christmas morning was the small flurry of snow that started around 10am and lasted most of the day. I think this is the first white Christmas I've seen in almost five or six years. Well, it wasn't actually a white Christmas because none of the snow stuck to the ground, but Abby didn't seem to care; she was simply impressed with the crazy white stuff coming out of the sky.
Abby and I didn't make it over to the Wright's house (which consists of my sister-in-law and brother-in-law, as well as our two nieces and two nephews) for the annual kid's Christmas present opening extravaganza. It was a little too early for Abby to get out of bed, and unfortunately most of the household was sick so Abby and I stayed at Greg's parent's house while the kids opened their presents. Afterwards they came over to the house and each said they loved their presents. Tommy's favorite was "Rock Band", Brianna loved her Uggs, Lizzie had a blast with her Bedazzler, and Joe seemed to like everything, so it seems as if we had another successful Christmas season for the kids.
For the last four or five years the grown ups have opened their presents in the afternoon after everyone has recovered from the early morning kid's fun. This year we started a little early for Abby's sake. Mom Robl cooked a wonderful buffet style dinner which we all snacked on during our present opening. We opened Abby's presents first and she loved everything she got from her grandparents and Auntie and Uncle Artie. Her favorite present may have been the gorgeous keepsake box that her cousins pitched in together to buy her. It now sits on her dresser so she can see it every morning.
This year Greg surprised me with a beautiful watch and a gorgeous baby charm bracelet. He always seems to come up with unique gifts every year. In fact, I can't remember the last time he asked me for a Christmas list. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I always ask him for a list, so this year his list consisted of everything woodworking; tools, wood, shop stuff, etc. I think his favorite gift had to be from his daughter though - it's a t-shirt that says "Real Men Change Diapers". :-)
We want to wish each and everyone of you nothing but the best for 2008. Best wishes and lots of love from the Robl family!
Abby went to the park and took a swing this weekend :) She wasn't very happy at first, but once she got into the "swing" of things she really had lots of fun. The only hat that fits over her little ears is a frog stocking cap I bought her at the Rainforest Cafe a few months ago. It makes me laugh whenever I see it on her!
