A Gulley Christmas

Christmas with the Gulley's

in Orlando, Florida

Corin, Mason, Bryan, Paul, & LoriMa & Pa Gulley riding the clam shell on Nemo at

Epcot, DisneyMason at 20 monthsWho's that cute asian tiger?
Paul & his girls Lulu & Bella

Back home

Hero even got his own stocking from the elves! Lucky boy!

This year with the Gulley's we had baby Mason joining in the celebration! He is almost a toddler and already acts like one. He wasn't too sure about all the presents but I have a feeling he'll be a pro at it next Gulley Christmas with all the practice he is getting.

Ma & Pa Gulley rented a house for everyone to stay together for a week in Orlando, Florida. They went nutz in all the festivities! Ma brought along all her Christmas decorations, stockings, lights, food, the Christmas tree, ornaments, games, music, presents...you name it she brought it! She got all crafty making stockings for every pet in the family, placemats with the Gulley kids baby pictures from past Christmas', her famous chocolate cake and rice krispy treats (even vegan ones for me!), her own fabric wrapping paper to reuse every year, etc. She even set up a craft for every family to paint a wooden Noel sign. There was a lot of forethought and planning going on for everything you could tell!

We did the traditional stop at Celebration, Florida to see the fake snow blowing, santa, and of course a meal at the diner. We woke up to Dad Gulley's scrumptious breakfasts, went to Epcot for a day, had a surprise baby shower, ate at Bobby's favorite Hibachi grill, got a visit from the elves, had Christmas afternoon presents and dinner, went in the hot tub, and relaxed in the house. When we were opening presents and Bobby again went overboard on mine after telling me not to spend any money while he santa claused me with a whole new anthropologie wardrobe and a new IPOD, he said something I'll never forget. Bobby is crazy for presents. Everyday he begs to do them early. It is one of his most favorite things about Christmas. In the six years we have been together, this year while watching everyone opening presents he turned to me and said, "The best part about Christmas is giving the presents." Ahhhh! Melt my heart. He is there! Maybe fatherhood really isn't so far away after all.