The Enzler Family: Your First Christmas!

Your first Christmas was with the Enzler side. Mimi, Papa, Thip and Brian came over to have dinner the Friday before Christmas. Your Mimi made a great ham, potatoes, candied nuts. Brian brought over some fantastic appetizers. I made Brussel sprouts and a salad (which we forgot about). We played Christmas music and sat at the table. It was a wonderful dinner. Unfortunately I had a little bit of pink eye myself from…ahem….yours truly. But it appeared that you had made about a 90% recovery. The eye drops were still happening and there was definitely screaming involved. After dinner, we put you to bed because you started to get a little fussy and then we opened presents. Mimi and Papa got me part of our Willow tree nativity collection that they had started for us years ago. I’m so excited about it! They got you some really neat books – one was the Night Before Christmas – that I know you will love. You are getting more interested in books although your favorite part is just to flip to the back.

On Saturday night, you got to Mimi and Papa again while your dad took me out on the town. One of our very favorite play is the Great American Trailer Park Musical that we saw years ago. There was a new Christmas edition and we were SO excited to see it. Your dad spoiled me with front row tickets. We were basically on stage.

On Sunday, Daddy D, Mommy D, Elissa and Don came over for breakfast. Unfortunately you napped through most of it but you were able to say hi. We had Bohemian Café kolaches, coffee, orange juice and breakfast burritos. After breakfast (which was more like lunch), we opened presents. You got an awesome train and remote controlled car. We set your train up and sit you in the middle. You watch it go around and around and at some point you just knock it off the tracks. Afterwards, we drove to Nonnie and Grandad’s for the annual Christmas Cookie extravaganza! This is where we make, decorate and eat a billion Christmas cookies and this year was no different. You got to hang out with Grandad for most of the festivities. You guys watched football and Sprout. It was a pretty awesome day. After cookies, your Nonnie made us beef stew (which was delicious).

I worked from home this week and for the next two days dad took you to school so that I could work but then I picked you up super early so we could hang out together. The weather actually cooperated and we were able to get some runs in before the holiday. On Christmas Eve, we went to church. We got there with 20 minutes before service and the line (like usual) was endless. I was a little nervous we weren’t going to get a seat because you dad refuses to go to over flow seating. Instead we got the front pew in the balcony – which was a little nerve wracking because you have become especially wiggly and grabby lately. You made a friend with the two ladies behind us. You loved her massive wedding ring (of course). You only got a little fussy once during the service but we gave you a bottle and you were great. Then we had the candlelight part where the congregation sings Silent Night and lights candles. During the last verse, we all hoist the candles up. You made a tiger like grab for the candle. Dad, quick on your trail, was able to blow out the candle before you got to it. And the people below had no idea that they almost became victims of the Dylan-meister.

After church, we came home and opened presents. We got you a pretty cool chair that has your name on it. You aren’t big enough for it yet but I know you will love it. Your dad started my Christmas fairy collection. It’s going to be so much fun to collect those wonderful, sparkly little fairies! After presents, we quickly packed up and headed back to McKinney for Christmas. Once we got there, we were treated (and treated is the right word) to your Uncle Brian’s cooking. He had made everything from scratch including 2 types of macaroni and cheese, duck, turkey and homemade apple pie. It was one of the best meals I have ever had. It was hard to get you to go to sleep which probably shouldn’t be surprising. It’s always hard to go to sleep on Christmas night. Once you did, we played Taboo and watched a Christmas Story (which is on 24 hours a day Christmas Eve to Christmas). When we woke up the next morning, there was a message from the Dallas Police / alarm company for your parents and a ton of presents! Around 2 AM something had set off the motion detector inside our house. Come to find out, it was probably your little trouble maker cat sister Missy! But I digress..

We opened started opening presents and then about an hour into it, you little man, had a massive meltdown. So, we skipped your turn and you took a nap through most of presents. Once you woke up, we helped you open your presents. You got some many wonderful toys such as an elephant walker, a barrel full of monkeys, a bear with your name on it, clothes (mom was excited about this), a giant giraffe walker, a rock band and a car seat (Wow. You have some wonderful, thoughtful family members). It was truly a wonderful, very special 1^st Christmas with you. After opening presents, we had brunch and it was delicious. Your Nonnie always makes eggs, bacon and potato casserole. Traditionally I bring the monkey bread. I cannot wait to introduce you to monkey bread. You will love it.

After we left McKinney, we drove back to our house. After investigating the house, everything looked to be in order. Missy was glad we were home but she was not glad when we packed her up to go to Gigi’s. Since we were going to be out of town over the next few weeks and she has to have her medicine, Gigi kindly offered to house her for a bit. Gigi made a delicious dinner with ham and other sides (including her famous strawberry pretzel casserole) and it was perfect. After we ate, we opened presents. I got two more Christmas fairies – woo hoo! Your dad got a Rolling Stones record that Gigi had framed. It was pretty cool. It was a wonderful ending to a wonderful holiday.

As for Dylan happenings... First it was a scoot with one leg out but now you have also perfected “the frog.” I don’t know how you can crawl like this. Your dad and I have tried and we can’t move like you. While sitting you lean over and smack the ground really hard with your hands and then pull your lower body to your upper body. And dear lord, you are a fast little frog! You go after door stops like no one’s business. You are getting stronger and stronger probably because of the frogging. You will be a little Hans and Franz in no time. You high five now! You are fascinated by buttons and brands on appliances. Really anything out of place you like to point out. You LOvvveeee to hang upside down - which is why we call you monkey! You have also learned how to mimic us - everything from chewing to screeching - your dad is especially in trouble when you get a little older :)

You and your Enzler cousins :)