What a wonderful Christmas!

I hope we've gotten some 'new readers' on our blog, since I put the URL into our Christmas letter this year! If you're new, welcome ... and please leave us some comments to let us know you're reading :)

Christmas was absolutely wonderful. We had my family over on Saturday the 23rd, and we did a "Yankee Swap" exchange. That was lots of fun. Of course the kids still got presents from everyone, but that is as it should be. I think the big hit of the day was the TMX Elmo doll that Auntie Vivian and Uncle Bruce gave to the girls ... Kenzie acts out all his moves, and it's hysterical! I took a short video clip and will be posting it as soon as I can get it uploaded. The girls also love the TJ Bearytales that Paul, Kristy, Eva, Holly, & Dave gave them ... they've listened to his stories several times.

We had a relaxing Christmas Eve ... gave the boys their birthday gifts and just enjoyed being together as a family. We went to Christmas Eve service at First Baptist in Wollaston, where Katie decided that she needed to have a full-blown case of bronchitis :( Seems every year one child has to be sick for Christmas. On Christmas morning we all opened our gifts ... Shawn surprised me with a gorgeous diamond bracelet, I had no clue! He also got me a Sony e-book reader, which I LOVE LOVE LOVE. I've already downloaded a bunch of books and have been reading it at every spare moment. The boys seemed to like all their gifts, and the girls were overwhelmed as usual. Later on Christmas Day we had Shawn's family with us. Our poor little living room has had more company over the past week than I think it's seen in the 3 1/2 years we've been there, LOL! It was great to have everyone together, though :)

Next up will be Mackenzie's birthday party on January 6th ... she'll be turning TWO on the 4th, can you imagine?? I have no idea what to get her for a gift ... she got more presents than any 2-year old could use for Christmas! Ah, well, I'm sure we'll manage to find something for her.

Merry Christmas!!

A Tribute to My Family

It was a bit strange to be "in" the parade instead of watching it this year! The Kiwanis Club of East Bridgewater made my entire family Grand Marshals of the parade and dedicated it to my dad. They hired a closed trolley for us to ride in, and in the trolley were: my Mom; my brother Bruce, his wife Vivian, their son Paul, his wife Kristy & 6-week old baby girl Eva Marie, their daughter Holly & her new hubby Dave Corbett (fresh and fully tanned from their honeymoon in Aruba); my brother Wayne, his wife Diane, Diane's dad Buzz, their daughter Heather, her hubby Garrett & 7 month old baby Jackson, & their son Jason; myself, my hubby Shawn, and our children James, Jacob, Katie, and Mackenzie. Yup, it was a full trolley :)