We had a lovely Christmas. Charlie came home on leave, surprising the younger kids who were so excited to see him. We hadn't seen him since he went to infantry school back in July. It was really so wonderful for me to have all my children with me for Christmas Eve Mass. By the time we were singing Joy to the World for the recessional hymn, I couldn't hold back the tears. My poor kids were all looking down the pew at me, wondering what was up. I just whispered "I'm pregnant" and they all nodded. That has been our running joke as I tear up over just about anything these days. Mass actually went well, considering we sat in the front pew with all of the children. Teresa sat on one end with Charlie and Alexis, instead of on my lap where she is on Sundays. It was a nice break and she was well behaved. Augustine sat with Court and me. He was pretty good. He sat on the kneeler and played in his little pretend world, but quietly enough no one but us noticed. The funniest moment was when I was praying after Communion and could hear him "shooting" people as they walked by us. I opened my eyes to see him shooting with his finger while cuddled up to Court. No one else would have noticed but it was funny!
Christmas day started early. Charlie and Alexis came over with Ella. We prayed and finished reading Tabitha's Travels and then opened presents. Court was the biggest kid of them all because he couldn't wait to open the big family present, an XBox 360 with Kinect. (Thank you, Granddad and Nana!) If you don't know what it is, google it. It is very cool and very fun! The rest of the morning and early afternoon centered mainly around the Kinect, but the kids kept busy with their new presents when it wasn't their turn on the game.
We spent the rest of the day with my parents and my brothers and their families. It gets a little chaotic as the family gets bigger every year, but it is always a nice time. Elizabeth got the game Taboo for Christmas, so we had fun dividing up into teams to play while we waited for others to arrive.
By the time we left, the snow had started. By the time we got home, the driveway was bad enough that the van was sliding down the top hill. A little scary, but Court managed it well, as usual. This did mean that we were snowed in the next day, missing Mass and Ella's first birthday party. But that did make for a relaxing day to recover and just enjoy the slower pace.
Charlie stayed for a week, and even spent time with us! I was so hoping to have the baby early so he could meet his biggest brother, but it wasn't to be.
The Christmas Hits List: ( a little movie heavy!)
The original Star Wars Trilogy on dvd, our old tapes were finally giving up
The Court Jester and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty with Danny Kaye
24 Season 8 for Mommy!
The American Girl movie Molly
Lots of little guy toys- a new train set, Hot Wheels tracks, Magneatos, Trio blocks, a dump truck
Lots of artsy things (what was I thinking?) paint for the younger girls, colored pencils, Delta Sand
Katherine got the coolest present, in my opinion (read:I want one too!), a Kindle. She loves classic literature and can download all kinds of free books on to the Kindle. Grandmommy got one too.
Lots of other great gifts, we are truly blessed. The best gifts of all are those of family and love. Here is a picture to sum it all up: