City of Compton: December 2008

Happy Holidays everyone! Lots of blogging here

ENJOY!

Christmas Eve began with a dinner with Fred and Pru and Tony and Rob. We had our first Christmas Eve dinner at our house so we decided to do it our way. We went with a half Italian meal starting with Caprese Salad, then Ziti and added in Ham and mashed potatoes and corn for tradition sake. Mike did a wonderful job and I did a masterful job at peeling the potatoes. Tony made cannolis with chocolate chips and pineapple and we were all stuffed like pigs. We also went to a Christmas Eve service at our church which was also a first for our family. Grandma Pru went and Bella guilted uncle Toneeee into going because well she is just obsessed with him. She did remarkably well for her first time in the Sanctuary and it was a lovely service with lots of Music, Scripture and a laugh about Turnip Greens. Only at Russell Baptist.

We made cookies for Santa even though Bella still didn't want him to come but now the day after Christmas she has been asking to see him all day. Guess all the gifts changed her mind. We awoke at a respectable 7 a.m. and it took Bella almost an hour I think to get all of her gifts open, but she did it all herself! She got everything she wanted as always and we will be busy playing for months I'm sure.

Here's grouchy Rob although I think he wasn't so grouchy by this point

Mike post meal

Aren't we cute?!?

Bella and her matching doll dress from Aunt Tammy

Just the girls and Scrappy ;)

Papaw Fred assuming his position

Christmas morning. This was Bella's BIG gift but she just glazed over it. MOVING ON DADDY!

No sign of a recession here

Not sure what she was doing

Juno after everyone left and a full night and day of play sleeping in Bella's tent

Cinderella castle

Sarah and Juno all tuckered out. Tony and Rob brought all of their dogs so Juno and Sarah reconnected again and played like a bunch of maniacs. Juno is still lying on the floor all day today recovering.

We went to John and Kathy's for dinner later and this is Bella opening her "favorite Fancy Nancy" gift from Ethan. We had good fun and tons of food and enjoyed every last morsel of it until we stepped on the scales this morning.

Ethan and his gifts from Bella and Pru- Emma was sleeping

Good ole GG

Mike nicely shaved

HEather, Bella, Ethan, John, Jodi

Jodi, Dave, and Zoie Land

Teresa and Michael Lantanza- they are expecting a baby girl!

"Uncle Coey"

Mom and Son (Kathy and Danny)

So we have a bunch more picture on Mike's camera which he took the card to work today so I will upload those when he gets home tonight, maybe. Until then...

xoxo,

   5 months 58.4 lbs
   Twirling
   "Rollin on the floor mommy"

My mom and dad came up on Sunday to celebrate Christmas with us. We went to lunch and came back and opened presents. I was a little concerned that Bella would be rude as she has been telling me all season long that she didn't want any presents not even from Santa. She has been a little unpredictable lately so I just imagined her throwing something back in their faces. Not so. She tore open her presents like an old pro and I think it was done in minutes. She also tore open another present this morning that she wasn't supposed to but that's another story. It was so good to see you mom and dad! Love you and Merry Christmas!