Family visits, Sickness and Christmas celebrations. They all go together!

We made it!  Our first Christmas back and we got it all done!  Even with a nasty cold that threatened our family Christmas on the 26th...we persevered!  December has been filled with many wonderful visits from family and friends.  This little house is so happy to be a home!  My old friend Cara made the trip from the Cape for a lovely day.  Mollie ventured the short distance from Jamaica Plain for a cool walk and a delicious slice of pizza from a shop down town. My godmother Sandra made the trip to Newton and joined my parents and sister along with Ellie for a nice brunch.  The Goodwin's brought their super-awesome girls over and the kids went bonkers-nuts around the house before we headed to get coffees and let them burn off some energy at the neighborhood playground.  Cate joined us for an overnight while her parents were busy signing papers for their new house!  Then Cathy and Tom arrived for Cate and we celebrated their big purchase with a yummy meatball dinner Scott made.  A few days later Fiona awoke with a NASTY cold...which we all had to some degree.  A full days rest and a perfectly healing chicken noodle soup brought us all back to life just in time for the holidays!  And what magnificent weather!  It was a white Christmas!  Sledding in a gentle cold and powdery snow made this Christmas the best I can remember.  The next day it was off to Gammy and Gampy's for more celebration.  Catching up with family friends was so great.  Those who have married...or added to their families in the last two years.  Time keeps marching on.

The gang is back together!

Before the big snow.  Cate and Ethan found the littlest patch!

Decorating their "ugly sweater" cookies.

Fiona, we said ugly...geesh!

She got the award for hardest hit by the yucky cold.

Before the kid hurricane!

Look at those faces!  No idea what is under the tree!

Risk!  He got what he asked for.

Watching the Christmas snow fall...

Fiona sewed this little guy for her brother.

Ethan spent his own money to get his sister what she asked for.

I worked on that scarf from California to MA!

With a little help from "Youtube" the "Risk" game was underway.

My beautiful baker made some award winning molasses cookies.

Sledding in Gammy and Gampy's front yard!!!

Here's to the NEW YEAR!!!!