Christmas 2013, Part 1

Christmas, Part 1 - CHRISTMAS EVE

Celebrating Christmas has always been one of the most special and magical times of the year for me.  

And now, with the addition of our two little girls, and getting to experience it through their eyes, it's that much more special and remarkable!  

After celebrating a beautiful family mass at St. Joan of Arc, we headed to Mom and Dad's to celebrate Christmas with the Sahms, Hinards, and Grandma Reva (which we've been doing for the last 16 years).  

Here are the pics we got from Christmas Eve: 

With Grandma (Hi) and Grandpa (Paw Pop)!  

Notice whose kids aren't looking at the camera.  

FRAMER!  Although Junie is missing a gold shoe.  At least her shrug is a hit! 

Cousin love

Grandma loving.

One of the most special parts of Christmas at Mom and Dad's (other than the shrimp dinner and dancing), is Dad's Nativity Scene that he sets up outside.  

This year, for the first time, he had the kids bring baby Jesus out to place in the manger.

It was the sweetest thing:

Then, back inside:

AJ tried to start the dancing early...

Junie found a boyfriend.

More cousin loving!

And the stockings were hung...

We tried for some more pictures before dinner:

I'll take the lumberjack.

Which didn't really go so well...

Time to EAT (Mom's shrimp dinner is a running tradition in her family for over 100 years, so we make it a BIG deal)! 

*I didn't get any pics of the table or food because June was squawking to eat before she wasted away to nothing… ;)

Yes, aunt Lizzie LOOKS young enough to be her mother!!!

Kids' Table

Paw Paw lovin

Gifts from aunt Lizzie!

And pretty pleased about it.

And NOW, for the grand finale… 

Bum Bum Bum… 

Dancing in the family room:  

Finally says this one

Moves for days...

Follow the leader grandma

Just a quick break to watch some juggling...

And that's a Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) from our family to yours!

Addie, Zeke, Great Grandma Reva, Ari, Teagan (June M.I.S. - Missing In Slumber)

HO! HO! HO! Merry Christmas! 

5 FAVES - Christmas "Classics"

I use the term "classics" loosely as I dish out my favorite Christmas themed flicks…

Joining Hallie for some Five Favorites with a week left until Christmas!!!

Even though there are A LOT of great Christmas movies, here are MY Top 5 favorite Christmas Movies, probably of all time; and they are tough to dispute if I do say so myself! ;)

Counting down from 5 to 1:

5.) Christmas Vacation.
This was the funniest movie to me growing up, probably because it was a little too close to home.
Yep, we pretty much grew up with Clark Griswold.
For example, I specifically remember years of being outside in the cold for hours on end, just to find the  one bulb that made the rest of the lights go out…
What great memories!

Bill Sahm = Clark Griswold

4.) Elf.

This is a classic to me because really no one else could be a more convincing adult elf… it's Will Farrell  at his best!!!  It's such a feel good movie for lots of ages!
And all the shots of NYC make me oh so happy.

How can anyone resist this face.

3.) While You Were Sleeping.

This is a sweet romantic comedy about finding love and family, but centered around Christmas time. And who doesn't love Sandra Bullock???

2.) White Christmas.

Sisters, Sisters. - There are so many great music numbers in this movie!

And COSTUMES! Check out Janet's "White Christmas" inspired looks she just posted! 

And Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney have to be two of the greatest people to watch on the big screen, (and Bing, too, of course)!

I also love it because my dad's dad made them watch it growing up!

1.) And numero uno - It's a Wonderful Life.

Best.Movie.Ever.

Non-Christmas or Christmas.Period.

Enough Said. :)

This has recently become Bill's favorite too ;) - see below! 

And now, over to William Paul Williams' top 5 faves (we surprisingly have a couple of the same ;) -

5.) Same as mine.

4.) Charlie Brown Christmas.

3.) How The Grinch Stole Christmas.

2.) A Christmas Carol.

1.) Same as mine. :)

Any others to dispute???!!!  

I just hope to see one of these this Christmas season!  

With a fire and hot chocolate in hand of course! 

Feliz Navidad, Amigos!

Christmastime in Michigan

We got back Sunday night from our December trip/Christmastime in Michigan with Bill's family and the girls just had such a great time.  

We did the first couple of days with Grandpa and Grandma Williams and the last couple of days with Nana.  It was so relaxing and nice to visit, and of course so fun to watch the girls have a blast!

At Grandma and Grandpa's house, we celebrated Christmas in the evening with a fabulous dinner, but first, Addie had to chase after this good looking thing:

Snowy, or NOWY without the S as AJ says

And then she had to play on the dragon:

And thought it'd be fun to make it a little more interesting:

Safe!

Then it was time to celebrate!

And put on some dresses:

Showing off some teefers!

The pouffiest tule dress around, a great hand me down!

I call the paper, says June! 

Helping Junie

Now to open hers!

Grandma Peg with the cute tutus for the girls! 

Here are your cherries for your Manhattan, Grandpa.

Dinner time:

Check this out AJ - prime rib!

Then we hung out and played the next day:

And of course couldn't go long without putting on the tutus for awhile all day:

Thank you for a wonderful time, Grandpa and Grandma! 

And then onto Nana's:

Where the Disney characters who live there were waiting to be hugged - 

You get the idea...

Then it was morning - time to open presents, which Addie didn't even notice under the tree because she needed to give some hugs:

Thinking about it

Rocking the owl hat from Nana's trip to Ireland.

And a few minutes out in the snow:

Bath Time!

Thank you, Nana, for a wonderful time! 

And that's a Michigan trip WRAP-UP (from a snap happy mom):

Happy almost Christmas!