No greater gift....

Than family.... and amazing how different Xmas is once you have children of your own. As we drove away from my parent's house today, Jon and I both commented that this was the best Xmas we have ever had. We are really, really blessed and very fortunate to have the family we have! This was the type of Xmas you remember for years and years to come and I hope the kids get to experience many, many more just like this one.

.....Our very first Xmas with Lylah and Brady's first to understand giving and receiving, Santa and Baby Jesus. A Xmas full of family from grandmama and grandbob to Grandma Barb and Papa, from Cousin Dave to our good friends Bobby and Suzie from TN. and Bill and Grace, our Italian friend. And the guest of honor....great Grampy....the only great grandparent that Brady and Lylah will be fortunate enough to meet....bittersweet.....I miss my grandparents....Grampy's jokes and huge heart, Nana's card games and gentle way, Grandmama's cooking and fiery spirit and Grandaddy's organ music and quiet manner.

They all would have enjoyed this week.....a collection of memories from Brady's singing performance for 13 people to his respectful manner at Xmas Mass. We watched Xmas Vacation and ate Grandmama's famous burritos, made sugar cookies and played Pizza shop. Lylah practiced her dance moves and tried to pull herself up on anything and everything. We had good laughs over games of UNO and another fabulous Xmas meal to remember at Grandmama's house. And yes, Santa did pay a visit.....

Lylah wasn't enamored with Brady's new walking dino.....
but she was especially fond (as was I ) of the new pink truck! Now we are home, unpacked and resting.....and the house is strangely quiet.......