Christmas 2009

My sister, Teresa (the oldest), has been cyber-stalking me to post a new blog. Behold some pictures from Christmas 2009.

This first picture is of the nativity set my sisters gave me for my birthday. It's beautiful and the most fancy nativity I've ever owned. I loved looking at it over the holidays and just recently put it away. I added the tree in the back which was purchased at Barrier's liquidation sale last month.

My sisters and I have a gift ball that we pass around each Christmas. This Christmas Teresa had the gift ball and was responsible for purchasing gifts for us (we include mom in this tradition, too, she just doesn't ever have to buy presents). We went to Teresa's house and she served us yummy tea in her pretty Christmas cups and we snacked on breads that she'd baked. My favorite is her almond poppyseed bread. This year she got us Christmas ornaments that are ceramic boxes shaped like Hershey's Kisses that were also filled with Kisses. Don't have a picture of them since I've already stowed the decorations, but it's really cute. Mine is red. Mom and Jenny got green. Next year Jenny will have the ball.

My oldest nephew, Andrew, was in charge of passing out presents.

Zach peering in as Grandma opens one of her presents. That lunch box he's holding was something I played with as a kid - a vintage toy if you will.

Caden (with his mom, Rachel) opening his present from me: Toy Story pajamas and a Tupperware pitcher and four cups for his play kitchen at home.

Terri, Zach and Mark opening gifts. I had Mark's name and gave him a rear-view mirror for their Rhino and the second Diners, Drive-ins and Dives cookbook. He's a big fan of the show.

Teresa with one of the Santa heads she got. Anissa, Kyle and Victoria are also tearing into their presents.

Katie, Frank, Jenny, Fred, Jessica and Cody were around the corner. This was the first Christmas since my mom and dad's house remodel was finished. It was nice to have enough room for everybody. The only drawback is not being able to see everybody at once.

My nephew, Christopher, with his nephew, Caden.

My mom's birthday is Christmas Eve. We always get her the prettiest birthday cakes. This one tasted as good as it looks. Caden and Zach (as did the rest of us) dug into some cake after opening presents.











Zach got a wagon from grandma Sherrie and grandpa. He liked it when we took turns pulling him through the house. He and Caden both got in and took rides, too. This shot also highlights the new flooring my parents got in their kitchen and dining room right before Thanksgiving. It's one of the final steps in their renovation process. The only thing left to do is finish up the trim and paint touch-ups.

My sisters, Jenny and Teresa, on Christmas Day during our card-playing extravaganza.

Two of my nephews, Jeffrey and Christopher, during my worst game of rummy ever on Christmas Day.