Christmastime in 2004 was very busy.  We had just moved into our house at the end of November.  I was seven months pregnant with Sophie.  I was having a hard time getting into the Christmas groove.  I took a vacation day right before Christmas and planned to use that time to wrap gifts and cook food that we'd eat over the holidays.  Then I got a call from daycare.  Martin was sick and I had to pick him up, those were the rules.  Driving over to the daycare, all I could think about was how I wish some other parents had followed the rules and not brought their kids in when they were sick so that we wouldn't be sick ON Christmas. 

I picked up Martin and he was hot and looked like a limp noodle.  I cooed in his ear and told him that we'd go home and snuggle up and that by the time Santa came he'd feel much better.  I bundled him up and tucked him in the car and started off for home.  About halfway home he started to throw up.  And continued for days.  We canceled all of our holiday plans and stayed home to avoid spreading the plague it was clear he was carrying.  Marty spent Christmas morning washing our bedding, pillows and comforter that were soiled during an early morning "overflow". 


For two days we followed my dad's feeding instructions - rice, bananas, apples, toast ("it works for the dogs" he said).  Then we loaded all of us onto a plane and flew to Texas, hoping that he wouldn't barf on the way.

As you can see, we made it.  It's obvious that we're eating breakfast in Texas because EVERYONE wears their hats at to have hot toast with a side of cake.

Merry Christmas from The Nelson's, Christmas Mix 2004

The Christmas Song by The Blind Boys of Alabama & Shelby Lynne
Christmas Day by Dido
Donna and Blitzen by Badly Drawn Boy
Frosty the Snowman by Willie Nelson
I Don't Just Want You for Christmas by Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Cha's
O Holy Night by The Barenaked Ladies
Must Be Santa (Polka) by Brave Combo
Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses
Frosty the Snowman (Rondo Brothers Remix) by Patti Page
Jingle Bell Hop by Sharpshooters
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy (Red Baron Remix) by Berlin Symphony Orchestra
Christmas With You is the Best by The Long Winters
Merry Christmas From The Family by The Dixie Chicks and Rosie O'Donnell
Happy Holiday (Beef Wellington Remix) by Bing Crosby
Happy Christmas by Mindi Adair

And, in case you're the kind of person who wants this EXACT mix with the SAME artwork as used in 2004, here you are.