Bradshaw Buzz: Merry Christmas

This year felt like a different sort of Christmas for the Bradshaw family as we were missing someone we loved. Patrick's passing and thus our first Christmas without him with us sharing it felt a little odd. It was a joyful day to celebrate Jesus' birth and his life, yet we were saddened that we couldn't share this day - and everyday - with Patrick. Carolyn, Scott and I have done a pretty good job at keeping ourselves busy since December 13th and I have to admit preparing for the holiday - with a child around- is truly the one thing that kept us sane!! We did our best to keep this Christmas holiday like any other, because that's what Patrick would want us to do AND that's the only way to move forward. So here's what happened:

Christmas Eve evening Austin opened his "Christmas PJ's" (our new tradition) & took pictures by the tree.

Christmas Eve night Carolyn spent the night since we wanted her to wake up with family and not alone :( Good thing since this was the 2nd time we were due to have icy conditions - shocking. To date (12/30/09) we've had THREE days of snowfall and ice and that's a rarity - especially in Texas!! Anyways - getting back on track - Carolyn was nice enough to let us open our Christmas present. . . the Wii!!! I didn't take much pictures since we were so busy playing with it but here is one of Carolyn doing the Ski Jump. **She should be thankful I didn't post the video of her doing the Hula Hoop LOL!!**

Here are more pictures taken on Christmas Eve:

Table is set already for Christmas Day Dinner

Winter/Icy Christmas!!

My Favorite!!!

Reminds me of the picture we took of him LAST year: Just makes me realize how fast this year has gone!

On Christmas Day I woke up extra early to get the crockpotS started ( @ 4:15am) and had a hard time falling back asleep. Guess it was the anticipation of what's to come, the excitement of the White Christmas we were having and the fact that I needed to get up in 2 hrs to be dressed. I finally awoke at 6 where I showered then got the coffee and breakfast ready to consume :-) Scott, Carolyn and I were up and awaiting the little boy to wake up. On this day he chose to sleep in (aka: sleep till 8:15am) and then we got our cameras ready!

Merry Christmas Austin!

As he runs towards what Santa left him he cries out, "OHHHH!!!"

This is what Santa left Austin! Apparently he was a good little boy!!!!

After Austin played with his Santa gifts and we all enjoyed breakfast we relaxed till my parents and Travis and Christa arrived (in addition to Trista and 7 week old Trevor)

Once the rest of the family arrived, and Austin did another 'wardrobe change' we commensed to the "Open-Present-palooza!" It was so cute watching Austin and Trista help each other in opening presents. It's so great that Austin has a cousin who lives close and is only 2 months older than him. Trista will turn TWO in 3 days and Austin will turn two shortly thereafter :tear: It goes by too fast!

Of course we went crazy with the picture taking, as we do for everything and anything! So here are more pictures of our Christmas day. There really isn't any explaniation needed. After we opened presents and before lunch the adults played Wii while the kids played. After our yummy lunch of Chuck Roast with all it's fixin's Austin and Trista took naps while the adults. . .played. . . more Wii LOL!!

Travis, Christa, Trista and Trevor

Nonna (Mom/Margo) and Grammie (Carolyn)

my parents

I LOL at this picture. We didn't plan to open them at the same time but we did! LOL So it was meant to be a photo opt. Bath/relaxation stuff from Christa