What A Way To End The Year

It was such fun to have all my lovely children around me during this blessed Christmas holiday!

And these are the moments:

*Picking up Maryn from the airport---and a big juicy hug---finally!
*Decorated the cookies and put on final Christmas touches.
*Clayton and Brinna coming in----lots of hugs and gaiety!
*First night of caroling----got lost in Hudson----and boy, was it cold---but we love to do this tradition----so great to harmonize with my kids.
*Fun day for last minute shopping, wrapping, and another night of caroling---this time we got more done and I heard the comment, "Why do we have to go to so many people?" And, "Couldn't we just go to the houses that give us something?" Uh, huh----they are kids.....
*Spent the next day doing last minute shopping and wrapping, got the house all cleaned, the rolls out, the soup made, things set out for guests.
*Some great friends over for Christmas Eve. Both families are moving in 2010----so sad.
*Fun carols, Texas and Cajun Night Before Christmas, Chimes played, and finishing up with the Nativity Scene.
*Christmas jammies from Mrs. Claus----fun to take crazy pictures.
*Up at 7:30 a.m.----finding Santa had come! Still great----as we all become small children again!
*Pictures all around---a couple of disappointed remarks---but that's what Christmas is all about, right?
*Blueberry muffins, omelets and hot chocolate----these are our traditional Christmas breakfast fare.
*Time to open presents----more pictures----a bit of a spat between me and the hubby. (long story...sigh)
*Time for the hubby and the kids to play games, put together mechanical toys, as I go to.......bed.........for a long winters nap. Aaaaaahhhhhh.....
*Get up, still in Christmas jammies, put in the ham----Clayton had put out more rolls----good. Cook the potatoes, sweet potatoes and corn. Go take a shower, and change.
*A Christmas feast. An amazing time with people you love the most....the best.
*Brinna leaves to visit friends----sorry to see her go.
*Dinner is done---we bring out the "Black Adder" DVD collection from Santa----to the family----and start watching.
*Next day---general cleanup for me----well, yeah----I'm still a Mom----and kids and hubby go to the mall. I wouldn't take a step out there the day after Christmas---no sirr--eee!
*Go to a movie with my oldest kids----"Nine"---not the best musical, but it makes me happy---and I ADORE Daniel Day Lewis!
*Sunday----our church Christmas program. (we were snowed out the Sunday before) I am a bit stressed as I am the choir director and wrote the program, but things go well.....ahhh, a sigh of relief from me.....
*We go home, have a delicious dinner----Pad Thai----home-made by Clayton, my chef. Delish!
*Brinna comes back and we prepare for one of our favorite things to do-----TAKE OUR FAMILY PICTURES! Ahhh---remember last year? (They were technically posted the beginning of this year---but who's counting?)
*Go to the Mill Building---where my theatre is---my hubby, Bret, gets his things set up---and we do what we do best---be hams!
Want to hire a great photographer? BBSNAPS.NET---(of course, you have to be in the New England area)

It began pretty normally....

...then we mixed it up a bit.

Yep, we got just a bit more absurd.

Everyone in their own world---uh, huh---that's my family!

Got the kids looking adorable....

....right before we let them go wild!

A big jump!

We took time to take a few of Bret and I---taken by my young son, Aydan.

Individual shots:
Beautiful Brinna.

Handsome Clayton.

My little minx, Maryn.

My little cutie guy, Aydan.


(Of course, we are missing part of the family, as my daughter, Hailey, her hubby Ben, and my G-babies live across the country----be sure to visit them HERE)



What a way to end the year.....with my favorite people in all the world.


HAPPY NEW YEAR!