Our Turn

Every year after the kids finish all of their Santa gifts, Travis and I open our gifts to each other and from the kids. It's usually anti-climatic compared to what our kids get, but that's how it should be. However, that was not the case for me this year. I mentioned that I struggled shopping for adults this year. Maybe it's because I myself was pretty uninterested in anything gift wise for me. I usually have something bigger in mind that I know Travis would love, but I just couldn't come up with anything this year. He did mention several things he wanted when I asked, and I tried to get all of those that he said. But I just didn't feel like it was great. That's what HE wanted though, so when you get what you ask for, that's a good thing, and he was pleased.

Yes, he asked for a typical mixer type...thing. I don't even know what you call it. Hand mixer? Blender? Mom got him that Cuisinart one that has all the attachments, but he still asked for this one and was pleased with it. Maybe I didn't think I got him anything great because he usually asks for mostly culinary things, and I have ZERO interest in that.

We always give him a movie card, and it's usually his favorite thing. Travis' joy in life is to go to late movies.

He's smiling so big here because he bought these for himself after Thanksgiving, wrapped them, labeled them to himself and put them under the tree. :) And that's fine. I bought myself $100 perfume, called it a Christmas gift and started using it at Thanksgiving when I bought it. That's the difference between him and me.

I'm not sure what this is. It could be the watch he asked for, or it could be the "something fun" gift that Sage chose.

Sage chose a light up yo-yo for Travis when we were in Louisville. Travis laughed when he opened it because he said that a few days ago, Sage had said, "Daddy you're going to love what I got you...but it's nothing fun like a yo-yo or anything." lol

Then I started opening gifts, was totally taken off guard, and never got anymore of Travis' moments captured. I hate that but it's okay. You'll see why in a sec. Sage couldn't stand it anymore. I HAD to open her gift to me.

Look how pleased she is...it is a

Hello Kitty Toaster!

I have eyed this for a few years. Target puts out seasonal Hello Kitty items like this every year at Christmas. I have always loved Hello Kitty. Nick asked me if I thought I was a little old for that. But um...how many 5 year olds get toasters? Clearly, it was made for adults because Hello Kitty is TIMELESS.

And LOOK what it does to the toast. I kind of burned this one (shocking) because I didn't know how strong it would be. And yes, it is on my kitchen counter. :)

THIS was from Jaggar (who was busy playing with toys), and it couldn't have been any more appropriate. I've said how I LOVE heat. Jaggar has taken after me, and any time he sees the heater, he says, "I wanna feel good!" And that means either turn it on if it's not, or let him get in front of it. lol, isn't that adorable? So now I don't have to carry my other one upstairs and downstairs. I have one in each location. Perfect.

If it says Archer Farms, chances are high that I love it. Travis loves things to help him cook in the kitchen. I love things to eat out of the kitchen.

This was no surprise. Actually what was a surprise is that Travis had said, "I just don't know what to get you. You say NOTHING except an ipad. I thought of something you mentioned, but I don't know if you meant that, and I'm not having microwave part II. (long story but basically years ago, our microwave gave out a few weeks before Christmas, and he bought me a new one FOR Christmas. I didn't say anything in the moment, but it's a running joke now. That's like buying toothpaste or toilet paper as a gift because we ran out and then wrapping it up as a gift.)" I said, "Can you run that by me again? Because I'm scared to think what it was with me not remembering." He was right. I did want a new dvd player for my room because the one that was in there was junk. And I play a LOT of dvds in my room, especially for Jaggar when I'm trying to get ready. So this is wonderful, and it's a blu ray player too, which we didn't have. The surprise is that it's very unlike Travis to say what he is getting. He is VERY much about surprises...but that wasn't all, even though I thought it was.

He brought out this huge box....and well, you can WATCH here.

I was SO overwhelmed--obviously and surprised. Yes, it's an ipad, and that is GREAT, but it was the hard work and sacrifice HE made to get it. See, I prob don't have to say it because the pictures show, but we spend a LOT of money at Christmas. I was SO impressed he saved up in the midst of all of that and bought Meagan an ipad. I thought it was great, but I NEVER expected one for me. Ever. I had said that I wanted one, but it was really kind of a joke because I knew it was ridiculous for ME to ask for that in the midst of everything else that we get. But was it appreciated? OVERWHELMING YES. With the exception of ONE Walmart receipt for some of the food he cooked for Christmas Eve, I never saw one receipt for anything he bought. He saved up cash and bought TWO Ipad 2's, a blu ray player, lunch at Classic...just everything you saw. He said that that was his plan the entire time. It's what he wanted to do. I've got a good one, folks, I know.

I have to say that it is amazing. I love it SO much. What was so funny is that Sage goes, "Daddy, I thought you got her a ceiling fan." He said, "I just told you that so you wouldn't tell." See yo-yo incident above. ;) So, yes, we all had a wonderful Christmas.