Christmas 2010

Christmas morning sunrise...just like the other days, but there is something magical in the air.  Four and five are awesome ages when it comes to the excitement of Christmas.  The anticipation, the joy in their smiles, and seeing the belief in their eyes - that innocent belief and excitement is my favorite part of Christmas!

Murphy was the first one to dig into his presents...smart dog.  Found his under the pile of presents and then quietly sat protecting his frisbee for the rest of the morning.  Smack in the middle of all the chaos!

Christmas morning.  Those jammies stayed on allllllll day long.

Emma explaining to Neeny that Santa and the Elves don't make Zhu Zhu pets.  Santa actually buys them at Target.

Its awesome when Santa brings what was on the list...maybe it will be incentive for more continuous good behavior this year??  A mom can hope...

Neeny was the bow receptacle - which is very New York/Maine these days!

Emma asked for a present for Beppo...and he got it!!!  He must have been good this year too!!!

It was an extra large prince costume for dress up.  However, she also noted a bit later with a disappointed look on her face that he only brought the top and not the whole outfit.

Johnny got Big Daddy a present from Memphis (the musical).  Big Daddy definitely got Big Love.  

More Memphis!  I felt bad that Neeny knew what her present was going to be...but now its ready to be hung up on the wall and hopefully she remembers our fun NYC fling whenever she sees it!

My present under the tree from Maddy...

Emma - ready for a nap with her new pillow pet before we even ate breakfast! 

The deliciousness that began "breakfast" - Neeny's peppermint biscotti.  And, I'm having one right now with my coffee!  We'll be back to clean eating shortly... 

Cleaning up after round one...according to Beppo, this was a Christmas miracle.  Hence, the photo of me actually vacuuming.  

Neeny and Papa - cup number 1.  I love having them at our house...I'm very lucky.  Not many people would even think about saying that about their in-laws!

Maddy playing with her Zhu Zhu pet.  The kissing was ok. Its when she decided to put it in her hair and I thought I was going to have to shave her head on Christmas that Santa began to rethink his shopping...

Everyone loves Christmas!

 Still sleepy...even after biscotti!

And some didn't stop to take a breath the whole day...

Uncle Sean showed up with the most amazing apple cake.  Fortunately, or unfortunately, most of the leftovers stayed here.  I think my waistline is transforming into this round shape thanks to this beauty...

The girls practicing their driving skills with Mario Kart on the Wii...I wonder how long it will be until we break a window or teeth with one of these controllers... 

Neeny showing the girls a move or two in Just Dance 2. 

My little man arrived later in the afternoon and Auntie RaRa was able to get some good snuggle time.  That was the greatest present...

Now - on to healthy eating.  For Christmas dinner, Beppo made a standing rib roast and garlic mashed potatoes...and I made the vegetables and grains.  Up first - Eating Well's Butternut & Barley Pilaf.  

So tasty!

Then, because our 4 year old loves brussels sprouts (what?!?!), I made  Eating Well's Brussels Sprouts with Chestnuts and Sage.  

 Once everyone got to their places at the table...12 adults and 3 kids...

Mary Beth and Desmond got ready to dig in...

Everyone paused for a photo...

Even the girls...although, putting the cornbread down was not an option...

It was a fantastic day.  Filled with love and gratitude...joy and excitement...good food, laughter, and true appreciation for what really matters.  Even Maddy took a break from asking where the next present was to say that its not the presents that really matter.  Its that we're all together and love each other.  Pretty intense for a 5 year old.  I'm not sure if it was a ploy to get the next gift...but at least we got to sit for a split second and have a real Christmas moment.

To those who are in our hearts and in our minds, but not near us this Christmas - know that you're loved and missed. I wish you all the love, peace and true happiness in the world...And to see you soon!!!

Uncle Brian sums it up nicely...Peace Out.   

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night. 

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

...and Mary Beth's Annual Christmas Eve party was a blast as always...

The best family Christmas photo we've taken...

Me and Mary Beth - the big sister I never had...

 Mary Beth looks like a million bucks! She's doing an amazing job eating healthy and working out - I'm so proud of all she's done!!!  She is going to have to start guest blogging because I have been slacking on the recipes part!!!

Mama Maria - Happy Holidays!

My in-laws - Kathy and Steve.  Kathy looks like she is totally getting away with something, besides being awesome, and Steve is giving me the  "don't you dare put this in that blog" look :)  But seriously - they are the life of the party and its not the same when they're stuck in Maine!  On that note, we missed Auntie Shannon this year who is on call in VT.  However, watch out New Years...the Party will definitely be in the house!!!

Little Patsy, I mean, McKayla arriving in her fancy duds!  Look at that smile!!

"So then, Auntie, he laid his finger aside of his nose..." 

The hostess with the mostess.  MB made an amazing snowball martini.  Liquid dessert.  If all snow tasted like that, I'd be caught more often with my tongue hanging out catching snowflakes! Come to think of it...that may have been what Kathy was getting away with!!

Jessica getting into the spirit of the season...the greatest girl in the world.  

Desmond ran and ran and ran...and then threw himself on the floor gigging.  Ahhhh, if that's all it took!

Bridget and Nonna watching the kiddos play...trying to stay out of the line of fire.

Little Miss Emma eating in the fancy chair.  So prim and proper that one...

Every year, this is the perfect way to celebrate!  Family and friends gather, kids are kids, sharing food, drink and friendship.  And, we track Santa so we know when to get home and into bed.  We live about 7 minutes away, and like clockwork - luckily, the girls are asleep before we even get halfway home!

Next up, Christmas Day, and the food (OH the FOOD) we ate!

Cousins' Christmas Night

Christmas seems to be more magical with little ones around.  My cousin and I and our spouses have decided that its more important to spend time together than do the whole gift thing.  The kids get so much already, and love the time together...so we've done away with the exchange, and instead come up with an activity.  

This year, it was cookie decorating and dinner out with the grandparents.  

Coleen brought some wax accessories to get the afternoon started in the right mood!

Maddy & Emma, McKayla (my cousin Tim's daughter who is 3 weeks older than Emma) and Desmond (my most adorable nephew) all put their sugar skills to work and decorated gingerbread men (thanks to the baking skills of the Framingham Baking Company!

What?  So I'm eating the candy...the cookie doesn't need it!!!

Check out the candy coloring on those teeth!!

Seriously, the most beautiful boy on earth.  Seriously.

Ahhh, gingerbread men all sugared up!

 My cousin Tim and his wife, Coleen.

Sibling love - Auntie Bridget and Uncle Sean.  Am I a lucky sister, or what???

 The cousins...

Dinner...the poor people at the Chateau in Westboro...

After the bread, there was no time for photos...kid chasing, about 30 trips to the bathroom, and some sort of musical chair-like game...the parents slept well that night!!!

Great times, great traditions.  I like that we keep it all about family and time together.  Isn't that what its all about?  

Merry Christmas!