Over the river and through the woods...

We packed up and headed to Lima for more Christmas fun! Brayden couldn't wait to visit with his grandma and grandpa Dee in Lima...it's been a couple weeks since he saw them last and couldn't wait to show them how big he is getting!

We got to Lima on Friday night and had dinner with Mike's parents and his brother Tim. Later that night Mike's sister Sheila and our nephew Nicholas came over to visit too. We just hung out for the evening because we knew that the fun was just beginning.

The next day we got ready for The Mangiracino-Collier family to arrive from North Carolina! We couldn't wait to visit with Tom, Mo, Catie and Keegan (we definitly missed Grady...but we'll see him at the beach this summer). We met up with them at Sheila and Gary's and Tim and his gang came over too. We played for a while then went home to get ready for the next day...to celebrate Christmas again!

The next day we went back to Sheila and Gary's for a Christmas Brunch...it was delicious. After brunch we had the kids open their gifts...of course Brayden was spoiled! He loves playing and watching his family. His uncle Tom took some great pictures...I'll add those as soon as I get them from him.

After a very busy weekend we headed home and we're now getting ready to celebrate Brayden's baptism.

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas! We know right now Christmas is still much more exciting for us than for him. So as soon as we woke up we headed down stairs with the camera and showed Brayden what Santa had left for him...a red wagon. He looks so tiny in the wagon.

As you can see...Brecken enjoys Christmas too! After opening all of our presents we ate breakfast...another tradition is for me to make a breakfast casserole...it was delicious. Then we got ready for the day and went to Christmas Day Mass to celebrate. After church we headed over to my mom's house for more Christmas Day fun.

Brayden was happy to celebrate with our family...his g.g. is in town from Tampa and my uncles came over too to celebrate with my mom, Brad, Danny and Jonathan. After we opened all of our gifts we then ate a wonderful meal and just hung out all day. We had a great time and we are very thanful to have such a wonderful family.

Christmas Eve

Traditions. I grew up with many Christmas Eve traditions and over the years Michael has enjoyed them as well. We are so grateful to share our traditions and bring out new traditions as well with Brayden. Each year growing up we always go to Aunt Louise's house to celebrate with my extended family...so this year we baked Mike's mom's delicioius white chocolate cheesecake and took it over. So there was enough to go around Mike, my grandma and I baked two and packed up Brayden to go. Aunt Louise couldn't wait to get her hands on Brayden...as soon as he came through the door she greeted him with a giant hug.

Brayden was so tired from all the excitement of watching his family talk, laugh and play that he fell right to sleep on the way home. He woke up just in time to carry out a very fun tradition of opening one present from under the tree.

He then helped me write a letter and set out cookies for Santa too. Off to bed before Santa visits...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

We've been having a ton of fun getting ready for Christmas this year. These past few weeks have been filled with a lot of Christmas spirit. We have our house decorated inside and out. We listen to Christmas music everynight. Colleen came over for our annual Christmas cookie baking...and of course tasting. This year we made sugar and chocolate chip cookies and some oreo truffles with chocolate frosting. I never got a picture since we ate them so fast...:)

Michael and I also took Brayden for his first visit with Santa Claus. We mentioned to Santa the request for a wagon...so we'll just wait and see. The cookie plate and stockings are ready for his visit too. We decided to not send Christmas cards this year...we sort of got a bit behind...but we have received so many great cards from our family and friends. We also received a very special letter from Santa...who has Brayden on the Nice List.

Mike and I went to his annual work Christmas party and my mom came to visit with Brayden. She brought over his Saint Nicholas gift...a Christmas Bib and threw in a present of her own too...she couldn't resist the adorable "Santa's Helper" pajamas...who could blame her?

Here are some of the pictures she took with him trying on the pj's...

I still can't believe Christmas is just over a week away...we still have lots of great things to do and see! Check back soon for more of our Christmas fun.

Getting so big

We love First Watch for Sunday breakfast. We've probably been there a dozen times just since Brayden has been born (yeah in his 4 short months he's a regular). This morning we tried something a little different...no it wasn't their daily special but a new seat. Brayden got to try out a big boy high chair for the first time. I know this may not seem like such an accomplishment to some but to us it is a milestone...and just validates to us even more how much he has changed in just 4 months. He loved his new point of view. He couldn't get enough of being able to people watch as everyone came in the door. And of course I took some pictures to remember the occassion...I swear his first words just might be...no more pictures...sorry little man...this is just part of the deal.

Let it snow...Let it snow...Let it snow!!

We woke up this cold Saturday morning to a wonderful sight...it snowed! We took Brayden over to the window to get a front row seat to see the snow flakes fall and collect on our back deck. Brecken was happy to look out side too and to watch from inside the warm house. The snow flakes came down pretty fast. However, we didn't get that much snow here in southern Ohio but enough to really feel the chill and excitement of Christmas. Here are some really cute pictures of the two of them enjoying the sights of winter.

A Visit From St. Nick

Last night just before bed Brayden put out his boots in hopes of getting a visit from St. Nick. To Brayden's delight...he came and brought a couple of goodies. In the morning we looked and found that St. Nick left him a new star teether-that vibrates on his gums to help him with teething and a pair of socks with a doggie and snowflakes on them. He giggled when we told him that the socks look like they have Brecken on them dancing in the snow!

Getting ready for Christmas!

Each year just after Thanksgiving we dust off the boxes in the basement marked with 'Christmas Decorations' on them and bring them up from the basement...this year was no different but with a bit more excitement in the air. We were able to get all the decorations up on the inside while Brayden was napping. Michael is waiting on the rain to stop and the roof to dry off a bit before putting the finishing touches on the outside lights. When he woke up we brought him downstairs to show him the beautiful lights and tree. He actually seemed to be impressed...he just stares and stares at the lights on the tree...tonight he talked to the tree for a good 5 minutes...kinda funny...he seemed to let the tree know, that he approves of his visit and can't wait for santa to put some presents underneath. This week we are expecting a visit from St. Nick and Brayden will be giving his Christmas wish list to him then. We hope he wants a big red wagon...especially since I made Michael stand outside in the cold to get into Target on Black Friday just to pick up said red wagon!