A Tale of Two Trees

Every Christmas we split time between Phil's parents' house and my dad's house in Arlington. This year instead of going out there on Christmas Eve, we decided that we would stay in Dallas for the night and go to our church for the candlelight service. I am so glad we opted to do that because the service was beautiful and some of the songs from the choir were so amazing they brought tears to my eyes. We both love our church and it was wonderful to spend such a holy night surrounded by people we know and love. After church we went home and opened our presents to each other. I loved watching Phil open his gifts and I have to say that he spoiled me this year!

Christmas day we headed to Arlington and had brunch with Phil's family. Tracy and Blake and Granny and Papaw joined in on the fun. The food was delish, the dogs were given plenty of snacks on the sly, and they had fun zooming around the back yard with their cousin Penny after the festivities. I even managed to sneak in a nap after the feast.

My pet and me

Tracy, very excited about her new presents! Haha, just kidding. Actually the camo suit was Jim's present, and Phil wanted me to model it, but I refused and instead Tracy was conned into it. Then Phil made her take a picture with the gun. I told her they are going on facebook for sure!

We went to my dad's that afternoon and I helped my dad with the cooking. We had beef tenderloin for dinner and it was so good! We spent the day hanging out, watching basketball and cooking. After dinner, we got to the last of the present opening. Some might refer to my dad's tree as a "green tree"...no cutting down a tree for him, but in reality this is what our trees have looked like the last 8 years or so. Kind of funny. It is hard to imagine that tree once fit into my Mustang, but it did. I got it for my dad for his birthday one year when I was in high school. I think Phil had to crush himself into the front seat WITH the tree. If I had pictures of our stockings from years past, I would post them. Dad would use a tube sock for my brother and our tights for my sister and I. It was quite the sight!

Christmas Patton

Dad's Tree