This Christmas was very special at the Akin house. I flew out to Dallas on Friday before Christmas to be with my parents and Todd joined us on Saturday. We had such a great time just hanging out, cooking, and of course, eating. We drove to Louisiana on Sunday to visit with my mom’s brothers and my cousins. Walker met us there and we all drove back together late Sunday night. This was my last Christmas as “Erin Akin” and it was very special for all of us. We also celebrated Beaux Akin’s 10th birthday. While I love my Boudreaux, Beaux is by far the sweetest dog and makes a great napping companion. I can’t believe Beaux is 10 years old.

While in Dallas, I got to see my Maid and Matron of Honor, Catherine and Jennifer. I miss my friends! It’s so nice to be able to see both of them when I’m in Dallas visiting my family.

I am so lucky to work for the University and get more then 10 days off work for Christmas. I was able to spend six uninterrupted days in Dallas relaxing with my family and reminiscing.

Todd and I are closing on the new house tomorrow morning and moving on Saturday. There’s lots of packing to do, but I’ll be posting new house pictures soon!

Click on the link below to see what my Dad did over the weekend…

Funny stuff

Todd didn’t put up a tree at his house this year and I didn’t put up a tree at my house, either. We’re both moving on December 29 and thought it would be too hectic to put up a tree, leave town, and then come back to finish packing and have to take down delicate ornaments. It’s my first Christmas without a Christmas tree and it’s definitely sad, but I know that when I get to Dallas my mom will have her fabulous Christmas tree immaculately decorated.

Because I’m missing a tree, I decided to look for old pictures of some of my first Christmas trees. It used to be so much fun to go to the Christmas tree farm or nursery where they sold Christmas trees in December to pick out the perfect tree. My parents always liked Frasier Furs and we had to make sure that it had perfect proportions and didn’t have any big holes in it. Eventually, my parents purchased an artificial tree that is beautiful, but it just got too hard to go out and get a fresh tree every year.

I’m also reminded of the Ray Boltz song that my mom likes so much called, “The Perfect Tree.”

The perfect tree

Grew very long ago

And it was not decked with silver

Or with ornaments of gold

But hanging from its branches

Was a gift for you and me

Jesus laid His life down

On the perfect tree

Here are some trees of Akin Christmases past

This last picture is Walker’s very first tree… and our first attempt at a Christmas card picture.