It's a Wonderful Life: Christmas 2009

Christmas was a lot of fun this year. As usual we went over to James and Ann's house on Christmas Eve. We had simple but delicicious dinner and some drinks. It was very good, as usual, to see the family together. It was Will's first Christmas, so of course he is in the bulk of the pictures.

Will with his Grandma Colleen:

Will with his Great Aunt Tammy:

Will and Aunt Caitlin (aka ME!):

Will with Grandpa Ray:

Will with Uncle Matt:

At one point in the night, James gave his godchildren their Christmas Gifts. Grace (Heather and Mandy's daughter) got a princess skirt and wand. Grace sported the skirt, while Brooke (her sister) took over the wand duties. Brooke proceeded to turn everyone into different animals. The funniest one was Matt who she turned into a horse. We made him play along and actually had Brooke ride him:

Grace looking beautiful in her princess skirt:

Brooke with Grace's Wand:

Brooke riding Matt "the horse" (Matt looks so thrilled!):

Nathaniel is also James's Godchild and he received a really cool Cardinals sweatshirt and jeans. Of course he couldn't wait to put it on and show it off. I tried to get a picture of him with Conor, but Conor was playing "doctor" with him at the time and trying to give him a "shot." Needless to say, Nathaniel wouldn't go near Conor:

After a few hours as James and Ann's house, we headed to St. Simon for mass at 7:00 and from there headed over to my Mom and Dad's house to exchange gifts. Nathaniel asked Ann if he could sit with her. Apparently the last time he saw her was when she was in the hospital with Will and he was very worried about her. He was glad to see that she was doing ok:

Cute picture of Mom and James:

And of course one of MY baby, Sunny (Matt put the bow on him):

On Christmas Day, we spent most of the day with Matt's family at his mom and dad's house. Much as Will was the focal point of the Christmas with my side of the family, Alyssa was the main focus of Matt's side of the family. Here is one picture of her with her mom, Debbie. She got a PONY!

One of me with Alyssa:

Alyssa with her Grandpa Rick:

Gerry and Me with Grandpa Herm (Grandpa turned 90 this year!):

And of course the oldest and youngest, Alyssa and Grandpa Herm:

After Rick and Gerry's house, we headed over to Aunt Pat's house. Back in the day, this side of the family used to stay out really late on holidays. Well, not anymore. There were only a few people left when we got there. We stayed for a little bit anyway with the people (and birds) that were left:

Me with "Blue Boy":

My Godfather, Uncle Johnny:

Aunt Pat:

Cousin Charlie:

Cousin Jimmy:

Aunt Patty's Dog, Hailey:

It was a really nice Christmas! Oh, and as promised, here's one of our Christmas Tree with the star actually standing up:

Today's Wonderfuls: