Failure to Communicate: Christmas 2010

Everyone in our house loves to shop for Brode, and we all like to get the best present. This year, there was a major lack of communication as we kept everything quiet and wouldn't tell each other what we had. Brode ended up with WAY too much out of this.

Friends and family have been asking if he had a good Christmas and liked his presents so I'll give a little summary in here.



Christmas Eve we got dressed up and went to church as a family. Brode behaved very well and loved watching the children's choir. Afterwards we headed home for a quick dinner, then off to my grandparents (mom's family). There Brode was given his first big toy from my aunts, uncles and cousins, a Packer tackle dummy. He loves to punch it as well as drag it around the house.

Brode also got a tool set with 40+ tools in it from his Godfather! The hat is his favorite part.


After a VERY last night for the little boy we got home and into bed so Santa could come. Brode woke up to an overflowing tree the next morning. Gifts from our family included:

A basketball hoop from mommy. He has been begging for one!

A Little Tikes grill from Grandma and Grandpa. He made lunch for everyone today.

A Packer helmet, jersey (with pads) and pants to go with his tackle dummy. He LOVES it, wears it everywhere.

Geotrax Airport. I am not that familiar with there, but they are remote controlled and move along the track. There are tons of additions to make an entire city. After seeing how cool they are and how much Brode likes it we were wishing we would have known about them sooner and could have coordinating an entire town!

His first hockey helmet! (our Craniofacial surgeon would be so proud of us)


Brode also recieved a ton of other stuff including UNO Moo, Gator Golf, Thomas matching, TONS of clothes, hockey ornaments, Potty Time Elmo, DVDS, CDs, and play-doh. It just goes on and on!

Lastly - his largest present of the year - that you are seeing before him: A TRAMPOLINE! Grandpa and Grandma threw out all the rules from his surgeon and got him this huge tramploine that is currently in our basement. He has only seen a picture but we're confident he will love it!

It took a long time open presents but once we were done we had a big breakfast together then put Brode right back down for a nap. It wasn't long and my dads family was all over for our Christmas together! Brode had fun with all the other kids. He got a t-ball set, clothes, and Little People truck that he just loves!

This morning we let Brode sleep in and then headed to Grandma Beth's for breakfast and stockings. Brode got more movies, lots of candy, books, another basketball hoop (for grandmas, can you tell he really wanted one!), and a Crayola Color Wonder!

Tonight we're heading over to Matt's aunt and uncles for the LaBarge Christmas. I'm sure by the end of the night Brode won't know what to do with himself anymore.

He (and we) have sure been blessed this Christmas! We have had a lot of fun with all of our family, even if we are exhausted!

As for Matt and I, our favorite presents?

Mine is my new coat. I have had the same winter coat through high school and college and it had collected its fair share of dirt. I was ready for a new one. My parents got me an extremely nice brown North Face with a zip out furry fleece as well as a match hat and mittens. I am very excited about all of my new clothes and gift cards as well.

Matt is pretty excited about all of his new hockey gear. He got gloves, shoulder pads, and breezers as well as free skate sharpenings. He is also excited about all of his Under Armour and Texas Longhorns clothes.

We're both pretty excited that the Rivet family got Xbox Kinect as well. It's all base off of motion, you are the controller. It is a great gift that we can all participate in Grandpa through Brode so it should provide some good entertainment!

We hope everyone else had a wonderful Christmas and got everything they wished for and more!