I will start with the early morning, when some of us went to Midnight Mass and some stayed home (because they went that evening) and helped Santa arrange all of the presents. After church is a time to sit down on the couch by the tree and drink Godiva liqueur and talk with whomever stayed up late enough. I normally get pictures, but I was so worn out, I went straight to bed.
The next morning, the little ones were up by 6:30am. Since it is tradition for everyone to be awake and present when the opening of gifts commence, they had to wait a little bit. I'm pretty sure Tim (my brother), Paul, and I were the last to wake up at 8:30, so the kids were allowed to open their stockings while they waited. It took us about 3.5 hrs to open all of the presents because we go one at a time and in order from youngest to oldest. Here are some of the pictures from that morning!
BIG Family :D
Papa and Brynach-Joe
My wonderful, loving, amazing parents.
Paul and Brynach-Joe
Brother in-law, Colin.
Little Miss (niece)
Noah (nephew)
Little Miss and Mommy
Tea time with Uncle Paul!
After all the fun in the morning, we had a very nice rest of the day. We played games, went on walks, took naps, and just hung out. It was a good day :) Here are more pictures from the rest of Christmas!
Little Miss snuggling up with Uncle Tim. She had a routine this Christmas. Every evening around 4, you could find her sleeping on this couch or on the lap of someone. So cute!
Cousins, Tiger and Brynach-Joe
Bearded sons with their father/father in-law. This past year, after the wedding, my father dawned a new look... a beard. He has always been clean shaven so it was so new for everyone and it has been a topic for discussion ever since seeing him.
I think she looks like a Who out of Dr. Suess.
Siblings, Little Miss and Tiger
Monopoly! Auntie Katy, Beth, and Ethan.
Nutmeg and Brynach-Joe
Eddie and Uncle Paul, the explorers.
Making a fire with Grandpa!
The fabulous Katy!
So excited to make a fire!
TV time/ nap time (this was around 4pm).
Story time with Grandpa!
Story time with Grandma! Brynach-Joe loves to be read to.
Little Miss with Auntie Katy
Story time with Mama
Knitting time!
Guess what time it is :P
Another family dinner
Sisters, Erin and Katy
Sisters
Playing with Grandpa
Story time with Auntie Mary
All of the grandkids with their Grandma and Grandpa! (4 girls, 5 boys... so far)
(From left to right) Noah, Ethan, Gemma, Auntie Katy
Smiley Brynach-Joe!
The Fam! (minus Tim and Paul)
Grandpa and Little Miss playing.
Movie and popcorn!
Little family (minus Little Miss)
The two youngest cousins with their movie theater popcorn.
Banjo player
Happy family!
Sisters, Gemma and Mae
Grandpa and his Little Miss
The happy couple!
Another family dinner!
Sisters, Katy and Shannon
Sisters and their mama (minus Erin)
I have no idea what they were looking at, but it was a great shot!
Story time with Uncle Tim and Kelly
Kelly and Tim
It was a wonderful Christmas with the family. Kelly, my brother's girlfriend and one of my best friends, came on the 28th and spent a lot of time with us. It was so great to have everyone in Colorado for Christmas and I am looking forward to next year when 2 new littles ones will, hopefully, be there! My sister, Shannon, is expecting her third child, due in July, so it'll be great to see the whole family back together again with the new additions :) There is so much in store for us this year!! <3
