Christmas 2008

Christmas was once again just WONDERFUL! There is nothing like the magic of Christmas through a child's eyes and we are blessed to have four sets of beautiful eyes that have made our holiday more wonderful than ever. We celebrated Christmas with Lauren, Paul and Charlotte a few days early because the Smiths were lucky to have them spend Christmas Day with them in PA. Our early celebration was great and it just made the festivities of the holiday stretch out a little more by starting a few days early. Charlotte was thrilled with all the fun things that she got for her kitchen. She can now cook for us with her new stainless steel pans and serve us our dinner with her lovely dinnerware set! She loved her Cinderella DVD and her ballerina outfit as well as all of her other fun toys.
Christmas Eve started out as usual, 4 p.m. Mass at St. Joseph's Church in Needham. We lucked out because Fr. McGann wasn't as long winded as usual and Mass was just a bit over an hour long. That still is a long time for four little excited kids to sit still so we all made trips to the "cry room", the "ramp", and chatted with anyone that would chat with the kids!
Then it was back to Nana LueLue and Papa Tiger's house for fish and homemade pizza. We all ate way too much but that is part of the holiday. Nolan couldn't believe all the Thomas the Train toys that he got! He was one happy little guy. He sang Jingle Bells for everyone and really seemed to get the idea of what was going on. Camille was thrilled with all of her Calico Critters Families and furnishings. Lou was happy that his sister got them too because they both enjoy playing with them. Louis was just great and he loved everything! He got books, and Lincoln logs and a pop up fire station among many other fun things.
The next day we were at Andrea and David's for a wonderful Christmas Day. As always Andrea's house looked so beautiful and Christmasie. The tree was gorgeous. The kids were so excited. A Calico Critters Doll House arrived via Santa so Camille was so, so happy. Louis was all about Star Wars! Big Nana got to see the new house for the first time and she loved being with all of us for such a wonderful day. She did just great and seems to be adjusting more and more to her new surroundings.
Papa and Nana loved having all our children and grandchildren around us for such a happy, holy holiday. We have to remember what this holiday is about, not Santa and the toys but about having family with us and celebrating the birth of our Savior.
We hope that all our friends and family enjoyed their holidays as much as we did.