Well, my parents and my brother and sister-in-law left earlier this afternoon after our fun weekend together.  So, here I am, in a house that is much too quiet, smiling at the memories we made.

They arrived on Saturday evening and the fun started right away.  After we went out to dinner we came back here and exchanged our gifts with Matt and Ellie.  We spent the rest of the evening talking and laughing.

Rich’s employer gave him a turkey for Christmas- a 12 pound turkey.  It seemed a little silly to make a 12 pound turkey on Christmas day for just the three of us.  So, we saved it and had it for dinner this Sunday.  I have no idea how to cook a turkey, so my mom did it- and it was delicious.  The fun was when we were preparing it.  The turkey had a mind of it’s own.

Tom, as we reffered to the turkey, did not want to lay down in the roaster pan.  And so- here is Tom dancing and waving to all of you.   

After he was cooked, there was even more fun.  We could not get Tom out of the roaster pan.  It took three of us to get him out and about seventy-four spatulas.  I didn’t get a picture of this happening because I was one of the ones trying to get Tom out of the roasting pan.  I think Ellie got a picture, so if she sends it to me, I will share it with you.  (Could you please send me that picture, Ellie?)

After our lovely turkey dinner, Rich got his new Wii set up and the there was much fun to be had with that. 

Ellie works on her bowling game.

Rich tries for a strike.

Later on we played some games.  As you can see, Ellie and Matt are very excited to play Fact or Crap.

On Monday we had to do a bit of shopping, so here is Hailey all ready to go- modeling her new hat from Aunt Ellie and Uncle Matt.

 Of course, there was more Wii to be played.  Here Matt and Rich enjoy a few rounds of boxing.

 Ellie and Rich had been planning to box each other since Ellie’s arrival on Saturday evening.  It was so much fun to watch. 

 Later on we played some Pictionary, which was also a lot of fun.  (By the way- lest any rumors get started- those are all sparkling juice containers.)

We had lots of fun and lots of laughs at our New Years Eve party.  We missed my brother Mike not being able to be here because of work.  We were able to ring in the New Year with him on the phone though.  After our games, some more laughs and cleaning up all of the food (which probably could have fed more than double the number of people we had here) we crashed into bed. 

This morning Matt made us some yummy pancakes for breakfast. 

My dad took a little snooze on the couch while he waited for breakfast.

By the way, not only did Matt make breakfast- he cleaned up my kitchen afterwards while I layed on the couch and possibly took a little nap.  Thanks Matt!!!  After breakfast there was more Wii playing, more talking, more laughing, more fun and of course, more eating as well. 

Then it was time to say goodbye

Unlce Matt and Aunt Ellie give Hailey a hug goodbye.

I had a great time having everyone here this weekend.  I really was very sad to see them all leave.  I hope they all had as much fun as I did. 

How was your Christmas? 

Our Christmas did not go exactly as we had planned.  We had planned to spend the weekend before Christmas with our family who lives out of town.  But, since Hailey had been sick we decided it would be better if we did not go.  I was feeling down about not getting to see any of our family for Christmas.  Then on Saturday morning my mom called and said that she, my dad and my brother Mike had decided they would come see us since we couldn’t go to see them.  I was so excited that they decided to come.  So, I spent the morning rushing around getting things ready.

They arrived on Saturday evening.  After we went out to dinner we came back here and had our Christmas together.

Hailey enjoyed “helping” to put the presents under the tree.

We had a wonderful time with my parents and my brother.  They left on Sunday evening to head back home and even though it was a short visit, I was so excited they came.

Did I mention that I was so excited that they came? 

Christmas Eve was a pretty quiet day.  I finished up my shopping and wrapping.  That night we gave Hailey her Christmas Eve present.

Hailey was quite excited about her gift (a new pair of pajamas).

On Christmas morning we all slept in until about 8am.  When we came out to the living room Hailey was excited to see all of the presents under the tree.  She liked opening her gifts, but mostly….

 ….she just wanted to carry around this bag of dog treats.

Rich made us a yummy breakfast after we finished opening our gifts.  We spent the rest of the morning playing with Hailey’s new toys.  

When Hailey was taking her nap I was feeling a bit sad.  It was so quiet that it didn’t really seem like Christmas.  While I did want to be home on Christmas day, rather than traveling around, it just seemed too quiet.  It was the first year I didn’t get to see my parents and brothers on Christmas so I was feeling a bit sad about that.  We also did not get to see Brooke on Christmas this year and without her here it just wasn’t the same.  So, while it really was a nice Christmas this year, it was also different and that made me feel a little sad.

Anyhoo- enough with the sadness.  This weekend my parents and my brother Matt and his wife Ellie will be coming here and staying until New Years day.  So, I am so excited about that!  I can’t wait for them to get here.

Oh- and I can’t believe I almost forgot to tell you what Rich got me for Christmas.  Apparently he was a bit tired of me using his laptop all of the time, so he got me my very own! 

When I opened it I said, “I am so excited that I have my own laptop.”

Rich responded, “So am I.”

And, with my laptop there were a bunch of papers and when I asked Rich what all the papers were for, he said, “So that you can send in for the rebate.”

Oh well. 

All in all- we had a nice Christmas.  How was yours?

Merry Christmas to all of my family and friends! I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!