Merry Christmas from the Reineke Family! I hope everybody had a wonderful holiday season full of family, food and fun!
We had a whirlwind of a Christmas this year! It started with a full house here in Oxford when John’s parent’s and sisters (with husbands, boyfriends, kids, and pets) came for the weekend before Christmas. Alex had a blast playing with his cousin Oliver! It was so fun hosting Christmas for the first time and it was great to see everybody especially because everybody is so spread out. John’s parents are in Mt. Vernon, OH, his sister, Julie, is in Pittsburgh and his oldest sister, Shalyn, is in Naples, FL.
It was great watching the boys play together! We can’t wait until we see them again!
After John’s family left, we had a few quiet days with just the three of us. On Christmas Eve, we attended “midnight” mass at 5:30 in the afternoon. It was a pretty packed service so we had to sit in the balcony, which actually worked out wonderful for Alex. He was able to get his caroling on without being too distracting to the other mass-goers =] After mass, we hit up Walmart for some last minute Christmas shopping and stocking stuffers! For the past two years we have been buying our stocking stuffers on Christmas Eve, maybe a new family tradition is forming?? Although, I will have to say, last year’s Target trip by far trumps the trip to Walmart. Target just has so much more to offer! Christmas Eve was very laid back when we got back from shopping. We were able to Skype with my family to open our D’Pulos family gift exchange gifts (a long time tradition for the D’Pulos/Cardy family) Then it was bath, bottle, bed for Alex! John and I started packing and getting ready to head up north for a few days!
Christmas morning was definitely different this year! It was the first time it was just our little family. Usually we wake up at my parents house and the festivities start. I must say, it was very relaxing being able to do our own thing in the morning! We spent most of the morning packing (since we had already opened all the gifts with John’s family) and cleaning so we could hit the road! Around lunch time, we hopped in the car and headed up to the big Reineke Family Christmas! It was great seeing everybody and being able to spend a little time with all of the relatives. After dinner and gift exchanges, it was back on the road for us! Next stop, Sarah and Jose’s house for the Cardy Family Christmas! Everybody was nice enough to hold gift opening until we got there, making it a late Christmas Night! We enjoyed gift opening and lots of yummy desserts with my family.
Oh! I could hardly believe my luck this Christmas! John got me a nail gun, John’s parent’s got me the building book I wanted and my parents got me a chop saw! How did I get so lucky??? I can’t wait to start building! First project, a workbench for the basement! I got a ton of stuff for the kitchen too, which I desperately needed! Alex was also spoiled by grandmas, grandpas, aunts and uncles Santa! He got his first walker, which he took to right away and new instruments, talking toys and of course, lots of adorable new outfits! John got new tri bars for his bike so he can more efficiently compete in triathlons! He also got a latte maker =] It was sort of the running joke for a few days that his wife got a chop saw and he got a coffee machine =]
Every year, Christmas is so much fun! It is by far my favorite holiday and there are still 4 more days of Christmas celebration! At least, that is when my decorations will come down!
We were able to spend about five days in Michigan with my family which was so much fun! Alex got to hang out with his cousin Parker who we welcomed just over a month ago! He is such a little sweetie! Alex isn’t too sure what to do with him yet, but he likes staring and trying to give him big baby kisses!
We are so in love with this little guy and were so honored when Sarah and Jose asked John and I to be Parker’s Godparents! We of course said yes =] Parker was baptized this past Sunday while we were still in Michigan. It went wonderful! He and Alex barely made a peep (although I did make a mistake in taking Alex’s applesauce away before he was done, resulting in a trip to the nearest hallway!) He can barely be blamed for crying, the man was hungry!
We had such a wonderful Christmas this year. We are so blessed to have such wonderful families to spend the holidays with.
