Christmas was especially special this year! LA’s very first one, and she’s at that perfect age where everything is new, funny, and full of wonder. Family and tradition are what its all about!






Kissy face and Growly face


Not sure I ever told you this, but one of the first times I had her at our house on my own, I suddenly realized… “I have no toys.” Her mom and dad usually send a little bag, but since I’d picked her up from school that day, we didn’t have anything with us.
So I went downstairs to the playroom, which is basically a storage room right now and tried to dig up something she could play with. The only thing I could find was a size 7 or 8 soccer ball. So that’s what we played with, and she’s loved playing with balls ever since. Her parents even got her these new balls for Christmas.

Hmmm…where can I go with my new keys that LyLy & Pop got me?






I was feeling worse as the day went on, even with the antibiotic and the steroid shot from a couple of days earlier. Once the kids left, I finally gave in and laid down for a nap, something I don’t think I’ve ever done on Christmas Day. But I knew I needed the rest before heading over to the in‑laws’ for the rest of the evening.

This girl loves animals.

Drew’s cousins love LA. The little one standing in front of Drew is just a few months older than LA.

LA had our family’s homemade pasta for the first time and loved it!


Alex and his girlfriend opening gifts after dinner

Had to remember this…

Alex got Drew and Caitlyn a Survivor game, so they played it after all the main family festivities were done. I loved that the got their great Uncle Mike to join in on the fun.

And I don’t think I ever shared the ever so famous photo of Drew and fam with Aubie Claus! IFYKYK 🙂

By the end of the night, I just couldn’t help but feel so blessed. A day full of happiness, and such a sweet first Christmas for our girl.



