Christmas...and the month of December!

For simplicity I am going to throw the whole month of December into one post.  My kids (and the entire free world, basically) think that the entire month of December is Christmas anyway, so it works!

Our month started with Brian making his second sacrament!  He was a tad bit nervous about his First Reconciliation, but he survived it.  He did an AWESOME job learning his Act of Contrition and he looked so handsome in his shirt and tie.  I couldn't have been more proud! 

Once again Breakfast with Santa and the Reds was an awesome event!  Mom's rep offered to let all of us come, which was really, really nice.  Santa pics with all THREE Aydt grand-babies...yay!!

Brian won a medal at his first Lego Team Competition! 

 Santa visited Lilah's preschool!  Last year she and I both had the flu so we were excited to get to participate this year!

Brian participated in two Christmas performances this year.  He was in the choir at his school performance.  (He is STILL singing the songs!)  He was also a shepherd in the St. Pat's Christmas Eve skit.  He had one line, but had to punt for a shepherd who didn't show so in the end he had two lines!  Lilah was a sheep and Patrick was the baby Jesus.  I have no good pictures of either.  We WAY under estimated the crowd at the school performance and were too far back to get anything good.  Plus poor Brian was slightly (okay A LOT) overwhelmed and it wasn't his best showing.  Since I'm in charge of the St. Pat's performance I never get to take pictures.  Shawn tried, and I think Teri may have some....but for now, no pics!

And then it was Christmas!  Dinner out with the family, a frenzy of paper and presents and visit with Nanny.  We were all exhausted. 

We had a low key New Year's Eve...ice cream with the Klaene's and a movie at home.  We FOUND OUR HOUSE on New Year's Day (cleaned and cleaned and cleaned) and tomorrow, we all head back to school/work.  Here's hoping for a 2016 with only good surprises!

Cape Trip

We made a quick trip to Cape to visit family at the beginning of Christmas break.  It's always a tiring adventure, but we had a good time.  The kids ROCKED the car rides which was a huge blessing!  Archie had fallen a couple of month ago and ended up with a broken hip so she's in a rehab center.  My aunt Beth is staying with her there and they've hired some nurses to sub in especially at night.  With her inability to remember that her hip is broken, she pretty much needs someone right there with her at all times. 

I was worried about how this trip would go sans Dad for the first time.  I'm not going to lie, it was super emotional for me, but I'm glad to have another first over with.  The kids always have fun playing with cousins they rarely see.  I don't blame them!  I love seeing my cousins that I never get to see too! 

Mom summoned a bunch of old friends to Shemwell's which is the barbecue place in Cairo where my parents grew up and it was fun to see everyone.  My favorite friend, of course, was John the Greek.  He was my grandfather's best friend and I used to go out to meet him for "coffee with the boys" with my grandad.  This meant I drank a cup of "coffee" that consisted of 1/20th coffee and 19/20th milk LOL!  I love John and the memories we share. 

Brian is always a little shy around older people....Nanny...Archie, but he did his best to be friendly with Archie.  I was really proud of him.  Lilah charmed her, as she does most people. 

Here are some more pics with the family...

Snuggling with Andrew.

Fun with the Moreland twins!

Making a gingerbread house with Taylor.

Harassing Matt...

Visiting with Chloe and Aunt Beth.

Snuggling with Sarah.

A bedtime story with Mike.

Also of note, we ate at Lambert's in Sikeston where they throw rolls at/to you.  It was so fun!  We will definitely be returning!!