Happy HOHOHOlidays!

What a wonderful Christmas we had!! Our Christmas celebration started, as usual, with the beautiful Christmas Pageant at our church. This year we were joined by my brother Mike, sister-in-law Lindsay, and nephew Marek from Colorado...a special treat!! Another treat was that Alix was an acolyte in the pageant...otherwise known as a candle carrier. Marek said it best when he said, "Awix, you did a willy willy good job in the pageant". And that she did...she carried that candle like a pro. After the pageant we all trudged through the snow to gammy and gampy's house. The whole gang assembled to eat, drink and be merry. It was a new experience for us...more than one child in our midst. A lot of commotion. I don't know what people with lots of kids do...have a headache maybe?!?! It was a joy to see the kids faces as they opened each present. Anna's favorite seemed to be her baby doll that reall moved and cooed. Alix didn't get too many big gifts...they were all awaiting her arrival on Christmas. Once the kids went to bed the adults got to play the dice game/number game/no rules game. Lots of fun gifts were in the pile--everything from a pineapple cutter to a underwear!! It's amazing what you can buy for $15 ;) WE all went home tired, and full, and happy. It was, as always, a truly magnificent Christmas Eve!!

Christmas Day brought stockings and Santa gifts...Alix finally got something fun (Wii and Rockband 2) and we went crazy rockin' out when the family came over for brunch. It was a lazy morning of family and fun (not without a few tears and a little hollering, but that's a different story for another day)...and we couldn't have asked for a better way to start off Christmas Day. Later that day Alix left us :( to go to her dad's house, and we took a nap before heading to the Penz side of the family. There we had an delicious meal, good conversation, and a dog fight. Do not worry, no dogs were harmed in this tale ;) Every Christmas needs a little excitement and we got ours. It didn't overshadow the wonderful day spent enjoying family though!! We always feel so blessed when we can share holidays with all parts of our family.


Christmas Day Fun

Anna playing with her new top...it makes her giggle EVERY time you spin it!


Grandpa Ed and Anna looking at all the fun captured on film


Steve and the girls on Christmas Eve


Everyone gets a turn...this time it's mom and the girls


nana (great grandma) and her great grand kiddos


Gammy and Alix


Alix and Marek getting ready to open a gift...Alix loves her little buddy!



Anna and her sit and spin...she decided she wanted to play with all her toys while she sit and spinned


Anna all dressed up and ready to go celebrate Christmas Eve!!


YUMMY! Let me at it!


Anna and her "real" baby


Auntie Lynn and Katy sittin' back and enjoying the night



Christmas Morning
Eating some brunch on a lazy Christmas Morning



Alix and Marek rockin' the drums


Trying to get a stocking picture...Anna wanted none of it, but Alix held tight ;)


Alix on Christmas morning...waiting patiently to open gifts


Our Family Rockband...we ROCK!