THE SEARLES

Last year we wanted our "First Christmas" just together in our apartment... Which meant waking up at 5:30 to open some gifts from eachother and then rushing out to my parents house in time to watch the lil ones open Santa gifts. We didnt even have time to turn on our Christmas tree lights, Christmas music, or enjoy those moments of waking up for our first Christmas together.. This year we decided to bag the waking up so early and driving, we stayed at my parents house :) In my opinion it was so much better. We stayed up late on Christmas Eve watching A Christmas Carol and got to enjoy the "warm feeling" of Christmas morning...We woke up early in order for the kids to enjoy their Santa gifts a little while before we had to head down to the hospital to spend time with Austin.

Mac got his "Wizard" ... aka Lizard. poor kid cant say his "L's"

Dispite all the worries we had about spending Christmas Day in the hospital it turned out great. Austin was the only patient on the floor that day which meant we had the whole place to ourselves. I dont think you would see my siblings running around flying toy helicopters down the halls and at the nurses if that wasnt the case. Austin was in great spirits.. and even more so when he heard he would be going home the next day.

Mitch and I snuck off mid-afternoon to visit his family and then shortly returned so that the rest of my family could head off to Christmas Dinner at my grandparents. Our Christmas night was filled with watching Psych in the hospital room with Austin, thank goodness they have comfy chairs..

I dont think any of us will forget this Christmas. However I am looking forward to "real" Christmas food next year. NO WHERE is open to eat on Christmas. Not even the hospital cafateria. Hostess Doughnuts for breakfast and Mi ranchio for lunch... just does not cut it :)