Christmas 2010

What a wonderful few days we had.  We had several celebrations and had such a wonderful time.  Here are some of the highlights from the week.

Monica’s sister Amanda made a surprise last minute visit.  We had a good evening and enjoyed catching up.

Aunt Amanda hooked Karyn up with some new gold shoes.

Sisters & Sisters

with Chris.

Next we had Christmas with Monica’s family.  Monica’s Mom, Dad, Grandma Rose and Grandma Beth traveled to our house so we could all celebrate together.  It was a lot of fun and the girls loved having so many grandparents around to give them so much attention.

Christmas Eve Morning family photo.

Grams & Granddad making Karyn laugh.

Great Grammy Rose holding up her cross.

Mommy & her 2 girls.

Great Grammy Beth reading a story.

Katie Lynn got a train set and everyone jumped in to help.  Great Grammy Beth helping.

Granddad putting the town pieces together.

Getting ready for church and Karyn takes a minute to dance with Frosty.

Family photo, I love that we have have 2 sets of 4 generations in this photo.

We made it to Church. The Great Grammies with their Great Granddaughters.

What a wonderful way to spend Christmas Eve Day.  Fun with Monica’s family, a nice lunch and a beautiful Church service.  Now we move on to our Christmas Eve traditions.

I am not really sure how our Christmas Eve traditions started. Our first Christmas Eve as a family was spent in the hospital but ever one since then has been spent going to dinner, driving around to look at lights and then home to open 1 gift and read a story.  We have really enjoyed this and look forward to this every year.

Out to dinner.

We drove around and the girls just loved the lights!!

Next it was home to open a gift.

PJs from Mommy!!!

Wonder what this one is…

a book from Daddy!!! The Night Before Christmas.  (I wonder when they will catch on its the same book every year?)

Then we leave our cookies and milk for Santa…..the picture sure is not as easy as last year….both girls were done.

Next everyone headed to bed and Santa was on his way.

The next morning was so much fun.  The girls slept till about 8 and then we had some breakfast.  Next it was time to see if Santa had come. He sure did and by the looks of things, the girls had been very good all year!!!

Santa brought the girls a dancing Mickey, oh my, how fun!! They loved it! (video to follow soon)

Santa also brought them each their own Baby Doll.  Katie Lynn had been talking about him bringing them one since she “visited” with him the week before.

Another family tradition continues.  Growing up Santa would always bring Tom’s family a game to play.  This year Santa continued and brought games for the girls.  Daddy beat Katie Lynn in her first game of Candy Land.

Mommy & Karyn.

Daddy & Mommy with their new camera.

Daddy & Katie Lynn.

We had a great day celebrating Jesus’ birthday.  We enjoyed a nice fire in the fireplace, lunch, a round of Candy Land and a quiet evening with just the 4 of us. 

To end out the weekend of celebrations we headed to Tom’s parents house to celebrate with his family.

Grandma & Heypa

Uncle Ryan, Aunt Kim, Madison & Lauren

Daddy & his two girls

Grandma and the Christmas box.  This box has been passed around Tom’s family since his mom was a kid. This year Grandma received the box and she will pass it to someone else next year.

The older girls went on to play with some toys…

Karyn on the other hand….she is trouble

After gifts we enjoyed the day of games and family time.  Here Katie Lynn is helping with the dressing.

We made sure to get  a new family photo.

We had such a wonderful time with family and we are so blessed in many ways.