The Roman Blog: Christmas 2012

What an exciting few days. We had a great Christmas and a great adventure along the way. Since my parents are moving down to Texas, we decided to pack up the family truckster and head up to Oklahoma for my last Oklahoma Christmas. It was sad. I had expected it to be sad, but it was more sad. Joel kept saying that I'd be able to go back, but it won't ever be the same again. It won't ever be the home that it has been for the last 35 years. Though I haven't lived in Oklahoma since August of 2000, it has always been where I consider home. I am proud to be an Oklahoman and am sad that my roots have moved. Of course I'm happy that my parents are moving down to be closer to the kids, but it is a bit bitter sweet nevertheless.

Anyway, on to the fun. We left for Oklahoma on Friday after lunch. Traffic was heavy as expected. We stopped at least 3 times--a new record for the Roman/Evanses. We are the get there as fast as you can without stopping type, but with kids you have to be flexible. Gemma was a peach with the exception of the last hour, and Cole Reynolds was well behaved too all things considering. For some reason he feels the need to scream sometimes when Gemma is crying.

Cole was super excited upon reaching "Oklahoma" (a.k.a. my parents house). He ran around like a mad man and pounded the floor. He loves going to Oklahoma so I've decided that my parents new house in Frisco shall also be "Oklahoma." Once we got the kids in bed, Joel and I went out for dinner. Best Christmas present ever. Getting to go out and eat and just "be" is so nice these days.

Saturday, I kicked off the day with yoga!! I can't tell you how excited I was about that. I love yoga (and think everyone should do it), but I rarely have time to go. By rarely, I mean not once since Gemma was born. Jennie invited me to go, so I couldn't pass it up. It was a great way to start a great weekend.

Once I got home, it was time to feed and play and put to sleep. You know how things go with kids. We decided to go to the furniture store because we are looking for a few pieces. Cole taking a nap was a fantasy so we took him with us. We didn't find anything, but Cole had a blast (see below).

On the way home, we stopped by my childhood home--the house I was born in (well not really born in, but you get the point). It looked just like I remembered it--same color and everything. I was really excited to show it to Cole. Cole was unimpressed. Oh well. One day, maybe he'll say the same thing to his little boy as he sits outside the house we are in now. After that, we headed to Wal-Mart. It wasn't the mad house I'd expected. Thankfully, it was our last stop at the big box before Christmas.

Saturday night after the kids were down, we went out for our SECOND adult only dinner. So nice!! We got to see the beautiful Christmas lights at the Chesapeake campus too. Great night. As an added bonus, we saw Mike Stoops. I almost talked to him as he and I were the only ones in the entry way, but I decided against it and busied myself on my phone instead. If had been Bob, maybe, but Mike--no point. What to say...."Have a great game?" "Too bad about Arizona?" "At least Mark got a head coaching job?"

On Sunday, Joel, Cole and I had breakfast with the Kleeses and then picked up Gemma for a playdate. See below. Jennie captured the photo...cracks me up. Cole would not put down the spy glass. After the playdate, we headed to Cafe Kacao, a Guatemalan restaurant I'd been dying to try, with my parents and brother. It was great and I had a lot of fun. I'm sad I just discovered the restaurant just in time to never go again. I miss Guatemala but it was nice to have some authentic food. When we got back to the house, it was more playtime with Grandpa, Abuelita and Uncle Cranky.

Because there was supposed to be bad weather last night and today, we decided to cut our trip short and head home yesterday. So, Monday was our "Christmas morning" at the Evans house. We got up, opened presents and ate Christmas lunch. Cole had a blast as expected. After lunch, we packed up the family truckster yet again and headed home.

On the way home, we stopped by Joel's mom's house for a visit. Cole had fun touring the WHOLE house. He didn't miss a bathroom, closet, nook or cranny. It was pretty funny. We had picked up Dickey's on the way there and good thing we did. We didn't know at the time, but it was the last good meal Joel and I have had. We were out of all food at our house and had we not packed up some ham and tortillas from my house, we would have had NOTHING to eat. Is everything closed all day on Christmas?!

I digress. On the way home from Joel's mom's house, I was showing Cole were Santa was. I explained that he had to be in bed by the time Santa came or he would get passed up. As soon as I told him, he shouted at the top of his voice "Drive FAST, daddy!" Cole did NOT want to miss Santa. All night while he was getting ready for bed he wanted an update on where Santa was. Turns out it was a little geography lesson. Once Cole was in bed, Santa and Ms. Claus sprung into action. We finished the wrapping and setting up.

Today, we were awaken by thunder. That's right thunder on Christmas. Damn thunder!! Shockingly, Cole didn't realize it was daytime so he hung out in bed with me, Joel and Gemma until 8:00 or so. Then we went to unwrap presents. It was a blur of toys, paper and shrieks of "I'm so happy." Seeing the joy on his face, really does make it all worth it. We actually picked up a toy or two that the kids didn't play with because in the end there were just TOO many. With both of them having birthdays coming up, we will just regift them. I'm pretty sure Cole won't remember which one he's already seen once and Gemma sure as heck won't.

Around 2:00, it started to snow. Amazing. A white Christmas in Dallas. Joel and Cole went out and played for a few minutes (see below).

All in all, it was a great Christmas. We are blessed beyond measure, and we are truly thankful to Jesus, the real reason we celebrate Christmas.