We made it to Boone last Thursday morning after traveling for many hours and having a quick overnight stay in Chicago. Thankfully we made it out of Chicago before the big storm hit. Christmas morning, we awoke to the biggest ice storm Boone's ever had apparently. The power eventually went out! All the presents had been opened by then, so we spent the day relaxing and watching trees break every 10 seconds!! I had taken all of our presents up to VA the weekend before I left for Poland, so ALL of our presents for the kids were up there! Jane came through and gave us a wonderful Christmas. The kids didn't know any difference!
Waking Caroline up can be tricky. She'll either wake up really happy or VERY grumpy. So, I went into her room on Christmas morning and said the quote from Polar Express (one of her favorites), "Wake up, wake up! Santa's been here, Santa's been here!". She hopped out of bed and was so excited!
Our RoyBoy. He got some Reese cups in his stocking and held on to them for dear life. He got a much needed haircut yesterday. It was getting pretty shaggy.
Jane got everything put together and did a wonderful job! Cissie Skyped in while we were opening our presents so it was like she was right there! Roy Austin couldn't figure out how she was seeing what he was doing. It was funny!
Caroline helping Grumps open his stocking.
Roy "Smalls" Graham. Denise and Danny now call him "Billy Rubin" since his billirubin went skyhigh during the whole gallbladder ordeal. He lost over 25 pounds on this trip. Roy took the New Year's Resolution goal of weight loss to a whole new level. He looks mighty fine, if I do say so myself:)
Okay, this is so sweet. Will (Roy's older brother) took Caroline Christmas shopping since Roy couldn't do it. They went to CVS where he told her she could buy anything she wanted for me and Roy. He said she was so determined to find the perfect gift. She picked out a bag of M&M's for Roy (his favorite candy) and she bought me some Scotch tape! She was SO proud of her gifts. It made me want to cry! Uncle Will earned points for that one, too.
Caroline is so happy to have her daddy home. They have sat like this every night since we've been back watching their show together, Tom and Jerry.
Jane and Franklin got RoyBoy a cute fire station toy that he loves. Caroline got a cute baby doll and a beautiful pram stroller. The doll is now named Baby Michael and there have been a few fights that have broken out over the doll and stroller. Who knew that a baby doll dressed in blue and a stroller would make a 2 year old boy jealous?!
Jane does this trick with Roy Austin where they dance to this song. It is hilarious because he does this funny grin while they do it. He looks like a lady's man:)
So, while we were in Poland, my friend Chrystal insisted on me giving her a way to help do something for us. She is SO sweet. Roy and I were going to go by Toys R Us and buy the kids a bounce house for Christmas the week he was supposed to get back, so I sent her on this errand. She had it waiting on our back porch for us when we got back to Charlotte. I hurried and set it up and the kids went crazy! This will be the perfect thing for cold or rainy days...for the kids and for my sanity!! I have the video of them getting it on Facebook.
I bought some underwear for RoyBoy at the after Christmas Gymboree sale. I put it on him to see what he would do. He looked ADORABLE in them. I wanted to just pinch his little butt over and over again. He would be jumping in the bounce house and then stop and look down. I guess it didn't feel right! A few minutes later he came in the kitchen and I smelled poop. Having poop in his pants didn't even phase him.
Roy continues to do better each day. He is going to the doctor today to get checked out and then hopefully it's on to Virginia for Christmas #2 and New Years! 
17 comments:
Okay, first things first...that's the first picture I've seen of Roy since he's been sick and WOW! He is "smalls"! He looks like the little boy in Polar Express. I think he really looks like his dad. I bet secretly he feels so good losing all that weight! haha! Good for him. I'm glad he's getting better too.
The pictures of your Christmas looked so nice. Jane's house looks so cozy! She really spoiled your kids too and gave them a nice Christmas. Can't wait to see you hopefully today!!!!
I agree...wow...Roy looks like a kid!! He does look like his dad too!! I'm so glad that you are coming up this week. I know you are excited. Looks like Jane and Franklin were enjoying themselves with the kids. I'm glad they were able to help you and take care of you for Christmas!
Oh my goodness! Roy has lost a ton of weight! Roy Austin is adorable in those undies. This will definitely be a Christmas to remember for the Grahams. I hope you have a wonderful New Years in VA!
Roy did lose some weight! Glad to see you guys home! i have been checking on on you guys and wondering how things have been. i filled my hubby in on everything. He asked me the other day, "did they ever make it in from Poland?" I thought that was cute him thinking of my blogger friends! Roy boy does look cute in his undies. Brody does too, so grown up! LOL
I remember when I got my first baby stroller. I would ALWAYS ask my mom if I could take it to the store and push it around.I Hope You can make it today:)
So glad you made it to Boone in time for Christmas--and what a nice one it was. I hope Roy's recovery continues to go well. RA looks so cute in his new underwear. :o)
It was one interesting Christmas.....Roy having surgery in Poland....Donna going to Poland and then them flying home on Christmas Eve.....Edward in Afghanistan.....Two feet of snow right before Christmas.....then a huge ice storm and no power Christmas Day.....generator acting up! Not being able to go to Daddy Bill's for Christmas lunch. A Christmas Day memory to talk about in years to come!!!! We are very blessed that all is good......and the LORD is so good to us.....
We were not suppose to have any family home for Christmas.....I ended up having family! I loved having your children and you and Roy. I know it isn't what you wanted but I loved having you home!!! Hope you are having a Happy New Year in Lynchburg. Give my love to your family........
Ummm, I was waiting for the Obama M &Ms, Roy Boy's favortie!
So, glad you guys finally made it home to Charlotte. I know Roy was glad to be home in his own bed.
Oh my goodness, Roy looks 15 in that picture! Not only did he lose weight he lost several years...TAKE MY GALL BLADDER AND SEND ME TO POLAND!!! And I agree with everyone else, he looks like his dad in that picture.
RoyBoy looks so cute in his tighy whities (reddies). I can't believe he's old enough to even think about wearing those. Funny about the doll and stroller thing...had to make big Roy proud.
So glad all that craziness is behind you, but WOW, will Christmas 2009 go down in history or what? Hope you made it to VA and that you're enjoying the time with your family!
I had the best time with Caroline and Roy Austin. Thanks for letting me keep them. It was a strange Christmas but I enjoyed having you all here and I felt very blessed to have you all here. The weather made things even more interesting but it will make the memories more fun to tell!!! Have a great New Years and I love you each one. Give your parents and other family my love.....Miss you all!
Donna, I know that everyone has commented that Roy looks just like Franklin in that one picture and that was the 1st thought that popped into my head. WOW...looks just like his dad! I sure hope he's feeling better...we've been praying for him. He looks good! Glad you all were able to have a nice cozy Christmas with Roy's family...looks like they were very good to you!! :):) Happy New Year and tell your family hello for me!
Donna, WHEW!!! You never disappoint with the posts. I am procrastinating my Christmas post. I know this one took you a lot of time. Anyway, GREAT POST!!!! Talk about a Christmas for the Graham family history books but it looked like you had a great one, nonetheless. The pics of the kids are so precious. I love undies on boys tiny hineys. That is so sweet about the tape Caroline picked out. You need to save that roll of tape. You have a great family and great in-laws.
Now about Roy "Smalls" Graham. (BTW - I have trademarked that name) I will have to charge you a small fee for printing it out of context.
Woahhhhh, I'm going to go back and continue reading this post, but that picture of Roy stopped me in my tracks! I can't believe how much weight he lost in such a short amount of time. Maybe I should have my gall bladder removed...
My favorite things from this post:
1. You waking up Caroline like Polar Express...precious.
2. Caroline's pj's - I used to have some like that.
3. The Scotch Tape - awwwwwh
4. Roy's undies - I got some for Will too. They're the best! They all get handed down to Wesley and they wear really well.
OH MY WORD! ROY LOOKS LIKE HE DID IN HIGH SCHOOL. Seriously, I thought that was an old picture of him that you scanned. That is just craziness. Way to take care of everybody, James....maybe YOU should be called Mama Jane! I love Caroline's PJs. They remind me of some I had when I was little. I also love Roy Boy's tightie reddies. That is a hoot and a holler. Welcome Home, sweeties! We missed you!
Donna- your blog is always so fun to read - you do a great job with all of your posts. I think you re-create the moments so well that I feel like I'm a part.
Your entire Christmas is just so crazy and amazing! Way to go Jane for beign so flexible, gracious and loving. You have been blessed with TWO wonderful families on this earth.
I didn't recognize your hubs at all from that picture. I though he had another brother named Roy (which was weird). Bless his heart - what an ordeal he has been through.
Love all the kids gifts. That fire station things looks awesome. We have new babies and a stroller too.
Merry Christmas Donna and Happy New Year!
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