Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, & Happy New Year!

It has been a long while since I've been able to write an update.  With travel, preparing for and hosting Christmas, dealing with kids that don't sleep at the same time, and having a computer that stopped connecting to the internet, blogging fell pretty low on the list of priorities possibilities.  But now that most of this is behind us (with the exception of those two crazy kiddo's sleep schedules), I think things will be picking up again!

So let's recap our holidays, shall we?

We traveled down to Georgia for Thanksgiving.  On the way, we stopped at our brother and sister-in-law's house for a night.  We were so excited to meet our three newest family members - two nephews and a niece, who were adopted this summer. These kids are gorgeous, generous, and so much fun!  My favorite thing about our whole Thanksgiving trip was hearing the words, "Mom!" "Dad!" being called out to my brother- and sister-in-law.  That was truly an answer to years and years of prayers.

Philip jumping on the air mattress with his new buddy "Arina."  Luckily it didn't pop!

 

We all caravanned down to Grandma and Grandpa's house where tons of fun ensued.  Andy's brother hosted Thanksgiving and it was the first time that most of the family got to meet Julia.  Andy had to go on an international trip following Thanksgiving, so I stayed with his parents for an extra week.  In addition to Thanksgiving, we had our annual family race, a lunch with the girls, coffee with some friends from college, a trip to the aquarium, an evening celebrating the local Christmas caboose lighting, and a visit from my parents.  Aside from the kids passing illnesses back and forth, our trip was perfect!

Julia meeting Aunt Pam

 

My parents joined us for Christmas this year which was a real treat.  In ten years of marriage, we have only been home for Christmas two times. It was great not having to worry about travel, especially after just returning from Thanksgiving a couple weeks earlier.  I enjoyed making cookies and all the preparations. 

At the Christmas tree farm. It took us a while to find a tree

because Philip kept running around all over the place!

Visiting a local train garden

Philip had a blast with his "Geema" and "Geepa" here.  Grandma made cookies with him and Grandpa spent a lot of time playing with the train table.  Philip really got attached to him and Andy and I enjoyed getting a little break from being Philip's sole source of entertainment for awhile.  Philip still sometimes asks, "Where Geepa is?" and last week he asked to go to Grandma's house. I wish we lived closer!

Making cookies with Grandma

Watching a movie the night before Christmas

Christmas morning was fun and chaotic!  At first Philip asked us to help him open his presents, but after awhile had got a hang of it and was tearing through everything and passing out gifts.  We went to Mass at noon after enjoying a nice brunch.  Philip was so keyed up, he kept calling out "Merry Christmas!" in the middle of Mass.  Always shy...except at Mass!

 

We spent New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with friends.  No pictures, just lots of fun and good conversation.  The Baptism of the Lord was on Sunday, ending the Christmas season.  I started taking down the decorations today.  I'm sure our neighbors are wondering if our wreaths will be up all winter! 

Since I haven't posted in so long, I'll leave you with even more pictures.  Here are some of our Christmas card pics and outtakes.  What cuties!