A Snowy Christmas 2009

Definitely one of the least traditional Christmases in years past!

We left for Clinton last Wednesday evening ahead of some expecting wintry weather...and unfortunately it interfered with our yearly holiday plan of going to Eudora to be with Jason's extended family Thursday afternoon/evening. We chose not to risk blizzard conditions we were sure to face on our way home...a very good choice according to family members. We opted to attend Catholic Mass with family Christmas Eve at the Benson Center in Clinton instead and returned back to my parents house to get the kids all settled down for bed (ha!). As frustrating as it was trying to get the boys to sleep, it tickled Jason and I to see them so excited!

The adults opened our gifts Christmas Eve (and cuddled in our Snuggies courtesy of Katie) and we then sorted the rest of the children's loot in preparation for early Christmas morning. We were sad that Katie could not be with us this Christmas as she and Mark headed to St. Louis to be with his family this year. This was the first Christmas I have not spent with her and she was sorely missed...although we had her on Skype on the laptop Christmas morning so she could watch the kids open their gifts. God bless technology! Our littles were sleepy, but excited nonetheless, to see the snow on the ground Christmas morning...and to see what Santa and all the family brought them.

Due to the poor road conditions, many of our extended family could not be there for Christmas Dinner, so the group was small and intimate (My parents, Tommy & Nataliya, Jason and I, Grandpa Mac and Uncle Mahlon)...but by golly, I pealed and mashed all 15 lbs of potatoes anyway! (I like potatoes..must be the Irish in me).

So as non-traditional as this Christmas was...it was most certainly memorable. Jonathan and Nicholas constantly broke out in song with Jingle Bells and We Wish You a Merry Christmas (Kate did her best), we caught the boys playing "Santa's Sleigh" on the coffee table Christmas Eve, Nicholas couldn't get enough sugar cookies (neither could mommy), and of course, it was always LOUD!

We actually use these...everyday. :)