The Christmas Recap

The Christmas Holidays passed quickly for us this year. Rob was out of vacation time, I am trying to preserve my vacation for maternity leave, and we are a bit strapped for cash. Christmas typically finds us with the full week between Christmas and New Years to spend with our families in two different states. It was hard to let go of this tradition. I suppose that it's just another step in the direction of our changing life and the flexibility that will be necessary as we learn to negotiate the holidays as a 2+ family. There will be joy in that after the baby is born but with her in the tummy it just plain stunk to not be with EVERYONE.

We drove to Rochester two days before Christmas and spent time with my immediate and extended family. Christmas Eve was extra special this year as our Rochester friends and family gathered to celebrate the coming baby with a baby shower. It was super cool for me as it isn't often that I get to see my high school buds (all of whom are still my greatest friends) all in one place. My cousin took a bunch of pictures. I have not yet received them but will be sure to let you know when they are up. There were some incredibly cute outfits unwrapped! The baby will be the best dressed baby on the block. Far nicer looking than Rob and I could ever aspire to! We were also lucky to get some much need funding for baby's car seat (it will have a leopard print cover!!) Thank you to everyone who was there. After the night was over Rob kept marvelling at all the love he felt that night. We are incredibly lucky.

The day after Christmas we drove back to Boston in order to get to work the next day. This is when we typically would hop a plane to Nashville to spend the rest of the week with Rob's family in Kentucky. Somehow, passing the phone around the family on Christmas Eve wasn't quite the same. We're hoping that we can get back out there this summer to show off the newest family member - the 12th grandchild! A dozen grandchildren - 6 boys, 6 girls! We all know how pleased Pop is at this prospect! The most fun is that this addition will be 16 years younger than the youngest grandchild. You know what that means?! Lots of babysitters!!

Rob and I were able to get our Christmas packages out to his family in time for them to reach Kentucky before Christmas. That was a minor miracle. Each year we try to include a homemade gifty. This year it was jars of peppermint cocoa. Here are some pictures of the assembly process and of the labels we made to adorn the jar...







Don't worry - those Candy Canes didn't go into YOUR jar. ;) Can you see how messy I got?! I was covered in Cocoa.

We had some mix left over and I must say - that is some yummy cocoa!!

Next post...(I owe one because I missed yesterday)...

How Rob broke the Christmas Rule AGAIN!

(All Christmas Photos can be seen here)