Christmas!

Well, Christmas was fun but exhausting this year!

Christmas Eve Joseph and I got up early and went to my church service. After that we took a nice nap and got ready for my church's bi-lingual Christmas Eve service at 5. We went caroling from there and then headed to my friend's house for her famous Hot Cocoa Buffet - it's amazing! We ended the night at the big cathedral across the river for their midnight mass.... which lasted 3 hours! We didn't get home until 2!

Christmas moring got started early with Joseph, my parents, their dogs and I opening up our gifts at 6:30. We got our pots and pans, silverware, and a neat hand crank radio/flashlight. Next we went to my brother Mike's to see my nephew Lucas open some of his gifts. Afterwards we all went to my oldest brother Jim's house to exchange our family gifts and have a nice brunch. We came home later and had a wonderful Christmas dinner and played a game before crashing in bed for the night.

All in all it was a blast... But I could sure use a vacation :)

Mom and Dad (or Oma and Opa) with the newest addition - Ethan

My oldest brother Jim with his family - Jenny, Aiden and Ethan


My brother Mike with his family - Dawn-Marie and Lucas

Joseph and I


Aiden with Mom (Jenny) trying to build his roller coaster

Joseph building roller coaster after Mom gave up!

Oma and Opa playing with the Lincoln Logs - both older boys kept knocking it down!

Lucas holding his little cousin Ethan

Ethan playing like a big boy with his new toys.


Lucas using his imagination as he storms the castle!

Merry Christmas everyone!