Holiday Recap...

I hardly know where to begin, it's been so long since I've updated!  We traveled home to Maryland for Christmas.  Although we spent a little over a week at "home," I always have a hard time leaving.

Chris, James, and Grandpa went to a Redskins/ Cowboys football game the day after we arrived.  James was beyond excited to go to his first NFL game!  Too bad the Skins lost 23/24.  The guys said it was an awesome game though!

That evening, I met up with my two college roommates for dinner.  Chrissie, Alison, and I became best friends within just a few weeks of meeting each other at James Madison and have remained great friends after all these years.  We've made it our goal to find a weekend soon to meet up since, unfortunately, too much time usually passes between our visits.

On Monday, Mom treated us all to see the ICE! exhibit at the National Gaylord Hotel at the National Harbor.

We see youuuu!

Did I mention Megan and Tocco were in town from
San Francisco?  It was so nice to all be together again!

The "T'was the Night Before Christmas" exhibit was made entirely out of ice.  It was amazing how detailed and perfect-looking the ice sculptures were.

And because everything was made of ice, the rooms hovered around 8 degrees.  BRRRR!

Like our fancy blue jackets?

Santa and his reindeer… all out of ICE!

Hypothermia may be setting in at this point.

The boys loved this ice slide!

A final nativity scene was beautiful.

On Tuesday we celebrated Christmas Eve at the Midberrys!  We all had a great night.

Grandpa and Pete in the "man cave"

Cami (in from LA!) and Chris 

Pete and Ita making appetizers

The boys and their new
mustache lollipops!  ha ha.

And on Wednesday, Santa Claus came of course!!!

The craziness begins with opening stockings.

James has been asking for Air Jordans for
months and was so happy Santa brought them!

Sweet Henry was thrilled to open
the "dog house" that was on his wish list. He's
toted those dogs around ever since.

Pete loved his "shark fort" and quickly proceeded
to drag it into the kitchen and throw all of his
stocking gifts inside.  "I'm done opening presents" he said
and had a great time hiding out with his new goods!

Although the boys genuinely seemed to love everything Santa/ Gigi/ Aunt Megan and Uncle T brought Christmas morning, the absolute HIT (for James at least!) was the XBox Grammie Jackie sent!

Was he excited or what??!  Thank you, Jackie!!!

Around 2pm on Christmas day, about 40 relatives came over for dinner.  We have quite a crew… and this is without several families!  

Uncle Larry, cousin Eric, Keith, Chris, cousin Dave
having some manly discussion.

Keegan, Liam, Henry being silly.

Sam and James-- cousins and thick as thieves!
They are inseparable when together.

Margo, Reese, Grace

Anthony

Andrea, Morgan, Ericka, Megan
Jon, Mark, Debbie, Mom, Laura

Sheila, Tocco, Sam, James, Aunt Barbara

A lovely holiday musical performed by
Peter, Henry, Grace, Anthony, Liam and Margo.

After dinner, Santa always comes back with little gifts for the kids.
This year it was none other than… Chris.  ;)

Our family
Christmas, 2013

With Auntie M & Uncle T

On Friday evening, Chris and I were able to get away for a night.  We went back downtown to the National Harbor and had a great time.  It was nice to be able to get away, just the two of us, since he leaves Sunday for an entire month of training (and then deploys in Feb).

Last but not least, on our way back to NC we were able to swing by and see our dear friends, the Campions, for lunch and a visit.  It was so very nice to see them again!

Connor, James
Pete, Henry
Clark and Claire

Me and Allison

I really don't think we could have packed any more into our week at home!  Thank you to everyone for making our week so very special.  I especially want to thank my mom for her constant generosity-- for all of the gifts, meals out, the ICE! tickets, near-constant trips to the grocery store for fridge refills, and "extras" that she packs into every trip we make home.  We are so very grateful.

Who can believe it's already Jan 1st???  Happy New Year!