MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

The day began with our traditional opening of the stockings. We all pile onto my parents bed as we have since my brother and I were children and we open the presents in the stockings.

From here we went downstairs... I love this photo of 9 month old Alex looking around the new wall! This used to be a totally closed wall -- let alone the addition of the hallway sky light! My father has done so much work on the house since I saw it last! Mom convinced him to wait on installing the new staircase until after the holidays... Just in case it wasn't done in time and we couldn't get to the top floor! The living room (some day dining room) is so much more comfortable with this added light.

And raced to see what Santa brought! Look -- the cup of milk, cookies and carrots - GONE!
And a lovely note left in their place!

Then we all had a bite to eat (even though I know it was REALLY hard not to just go open more presents...but nobody likes a hungry crabby-crab on Christmas!)

And then... it was gift opening time!!!

Some highlights...
*Alana and her pop-together jewelry set.
*Giving my Dad what was done of his cabled vest so far...of course I had to reclaim it to bring it with me so that I can finish it!
* Mom getting her serger from Dad.
* AC getting her lathe from Keith.
* Alex getting the beautiful bunting that Mom (Nana) knit for him.

After all of the gifts were opened, and before we went to our neighbors for Christmas dinner. (A wonderful spread as always!! Thanks!)

It was fun to watch Alana and OB (my Dad) make some fun things with her new pop-together jewelry set.

As the day ended... there was snow.

SNOW!! Let's see what it looks like tomorrow!

GO!

I was up and out in good time and began the 5 hour drive to Massachusetts through the pea soup fog, very excited to be picking up my niece for our first bit of special time together, just she and I.
I was surprised to see that the Mass Turnpike only had one person working in a toll booth, leaving the rest automated...which meant a 30+ minute wait at the tolls to pick up a ticket. Odd for a holiday weekend I'd think. Gladly, that was my only snag on the way up.

After a quick lunch, my brother put Alana's car seat in my Pontiac G6 (not a car I'd reccomend to buy) and we were OFF to Nana and OB's (my childhood home) in the mountains of New Hampsire.

As we were loading up, my niece looked at me while holding her pink Disney Princess Laptop and told me, "While we're driving I must do some work. I have a lot to finish before we arrive and my customers are DEPENDING upon me!"

Yes, she's 3.5 years old going on 30... I looked at my brother as he looked up hearing her version of parroting something he's likely said to her a number of times before. She's so smart.

We stopped and picked up pizzas /salad for dinner to share with Nana and OB, and made the 2 hour drive with only a little chatting before she fell sound asleep...I guess her customers will have to wait for her to finish some other time.

After our lovely meal, we all decorated the tree together.
Very fun. My neice is SUCH a good helper! Have I said how smart she is? Wow!
The things that come out of her mouth continue to astound me. She speaks with wisdom of someone much older.

Finally it was bedtime, but since her Mom and Dad hadn't quite arrived, she wore one of my Tshirts to bed. If that's not cute I don't know what is!
What a lovely way to start the holiday.
Come on Snow!!!