It's Christmas Time in the Country

I went home for Christmas, neice, nephew & sister in tow. We had an incredible time with our little country family. Christmas has definitely lost its luster as the years have gone by. I remember the excitement in going to bed on Christmas eve, not being able to sleep knowing your new favorite toys were under the tree, but trying your best to sleep because you never wanted Santa to catch you peeking. All of those butterflies faded just as quickly as my belief in Santa, the older I got.

I've always tried to hold on to the mysticism of Christmas, but truth be told, it's for children. People forget the "real meaning," and to be quite honest, so have I. Although, I did drown deep in the feelings of being surrounded by family. If you know anything about my family, that's a job within itself. Everyone was on their best behavior though, so we all enjoyed ourselves. What a relief! Here are some of the photos I snapped!

Christmas Eve--my sister Dawndria's frying up some sweet potato jacks. They were soooo good!


Here's mom making another batch of the sweet potato jacks. Yes, she makes her own dough & yes she makes a huge mess everytime!

Meanwhile, all the kids were in the living room, raising hell!

Oh & my mom surprised me with one of my favorite foods--RIBS! Usually we starve our way through Christmas Eve, cooking. This time, she provided a little snack. :-) YUM!

My sis tearing her ribs UP!

Along with cake comes frosting. Makayla & Denayah are fighting over the frosting container. haha! I was never a frosting girl, I liked licking the cake batter from the spoon & bowl when I was little.

They were so happy to be done with the cooking!

As soon as I finished icing the Milky Way cake, I had to finish stuffing stockings & wrapping presents. What a long night!

Pausing from wrapping to take a pic with Dawndria. We're smiling so dang bright LOL!

I loved this pic of Baby Steph. How cute is this boy?!

Finally finished wrapping!

Christmas morning breakfast. Yes, that's a Pepsi on the table. Momma raised us on that. SMH

Momma's opening her Temptation Christmas album. She lost it some years ago & was so delighted to have it back.

Oh & the money had her tickled PINK!

The kids FINALLY opened their gifts.

My neice Azariah got mostly boys toys--that's just her.

Kayla didn't look too happy about her doll. She'd better be, it was from me!

Baby Steph opened his big wheel & promptly climbed on the box. LOL

We finally got to meet Damien Jr., my brother's (who passed away) only son. This was an incredible moment for our family.

Most of momma's grandkids.

Dawndria & Damien look the same age. She's 27 & he's 11. LOL She's so tiny!

I'm hugging him so tight! LOL Sorry Damien! I was so happy to see him.

More presents being opened.

Kayla STILL not looking too happy.

RJ's 13, so he's too cool to be happy.

How cute is Jalen in these specs!?

Of course we had to take some time out for dancing. Az & Kayla doing the "Jerk?"

Denayah didn't want to be outshined.

More jerking.

My little mini me posing for the camera, as usual.

Denayah fell in LOVE with Kayla. She wouldn't let her our of her sight.

Ambia (my brother Ben's first child) opening her gifts. FINALLY a happy kid!

Of course we had to go visit Grandma. It was a little too hard to get a good pic with Baby Steph being angry because we wouldnt let him play with all the decorations Grandma had up.

My girl Valerie. We've been friends since the 6th grade! Look at her lil man Tim--so adorable!

Of course JoJo didn't want to be left out. How can you resist a smile like that?!

So cute!

Hometown Glory

I went home for Thanksgiving this year & that's kind of a big deal, because usually, I don't go because my sister can't afford it. She has two children & traveling with kids is never cheap. With trying to make her ends meet on a daily basis, raising two kids solo in BK, going home for the holidays was never an option for her. It would always make me feel guilty for leaving her behind.

This year was supposed to be special. My mom's birthday is the day after Thanksgiving & she's been in & out of the hospital quite a few times this year. My brother wanted to make sure we celebrated her 58th year of life. It was lovely.

I was hiding out at my oldest sister's house with my two adorable nieces--Azariah & Makayla.


This is the night I surprised my mom. She was mad that I was in Rocky Mount for a few days without her knowing. LOL

Couldn't be home without seeing Grandma. PS, she's 93!

My niece is convinced that she's not as cute as she is. She's got quite the dark skin complex. I'm working on her self esteem.

My little mini-me Kayla presenting her Thanksgiving song to us.

My nephew Jalen being his super silly self.

My nieces wanted to see how far they could stretch my genie pants--those are pillows!

The girls were having a blast with grandma's wigs!

I'm so sure she's going to end up being an actress. She's so good with her face.

Momma on her bday. The dress was a gift from me--I knew her hazel eyes would look amazing in it.

I had to get her out of the house so my siblings couuld set up her surprise bday party--so we went to try on some wigs :-)

I think I might start doing the wig thing. It costs less than going to the salon & you can switch your look up whenever you want! I loved this one on her!

I was trying to convince her t go longer. Even with closed eyes, she's so cute!

Another blinking shot lol

She ended up LOVING this one & got it. I told her she looks young in it.

She loved her new look!

Same hairstyles, but hers was cheaper. Will I be rocking wigs soon?

Back to the house for her surprise bday lunch. She told me she felt so special. I cried LOL

Mom's new TV. Swanky.

The bday cake. :)

Happy tears.

My neice is obsessed with high heeled shoes & my sister finally got her her own pair (kitten heels)

Right after Thanksgiving, I had to put up the Christmas decorations. Momma wastes no time.

Her little tree. Cute, huh?

Last stop, Grandma's. How cute is she?!

I would have taken a lot more photos of the fam, but they aren't really all that fond of photos. What can you do? :-) I'll get more over Christmas though. And no guilty feelings this time around because my sister is coming too!!! This Christmas will be a very special Christmas!