Christmas 2014

We had a very nice Christmas this year and were very thankful everyone was able to be here. Brian had the week off which was really nice for him to spend time with the kids. For the last two years he's planned a building project to do with the kids the week he's off. They plan it all out, make trip to Home Depot and of course get out the big table saw and make a huge mess (that's the best part!) This year their building project was racing cars, last year was the manger which became front and center as part of our Christmas decorations. I had a short week and only had to work Tuesday and Christmas Eve until 1:30. It was nice to get off early and not have to rush off to church. Steve and Steph came Tuesday night and Becki and Dallas drove up Christmas Eve. We went to 4:30 mass and discovered they started a new tradition of inviting the kids up to the altar where Father Paperini reads the story of the Poinsetta and how it came to be the Christmas flower. Pretty cool story! The kids choir performed, which was beautiful to listen to. Nothing like kids singing Chrismas music to warm your heart! After church we headed back to the house to open pjs and get the kids settled with Gram and Gramps while Brian and I went to the Selby's for dinner with Mom and Dad. It's great to be a part of the Selby tradition and catch up with everyone else that goes every year. I've been going since I was a kid, so I love that Brian enjoys going as much as I do. We were hoping to meet Marie's new baby girl Greta, but they spend time with her husband's family Christmas Eve, so we'll have to wait for another time. Christmas morning everyone came over in their pajamas and we had a nice breakfast and opened gifts. It was a little different this year since cinnamon rolls weren't on the menu, but Brian made up for it with a delicious frittata. Some year he'll take on the challenge of making gluten free cinnamon rolls, just wasn't this year. Of course we stayed in our pajamas until we had to get ready to go to Grammy and Grandpa's for dinner. Over there we met Bonnie, Al, Adam and Lucas, Dan, Mindy and her 3 kids. It was a full house, just how it should be for the holidays!