Monday, January 10, 2011

Christmas and New Year's Eve

It was wonderful this year to be able to have Christmas with all of my kids, even though we celebrated a few days after Christmas when all of the family could be here.  Al and I had Christmas with Amber, Dana and my two granddaughters on Christmas day, and then my other kids arrived on the 29th.  In a span of four days we managed to celebrate another Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year's Eve, and an early 1st birthday party for Clara, since the whole family was in town. Lots of cooking, playing with the kids, telling stories, laughing, playing games, and we even popped out a home movie for some memories of the past.
 
 This was our first night together over at Amber and Dana's house.  I don't know what Zach is doing, but I can always count on them making me laugh. :-)))

Here's me with all of my kids...Amber, Zach and Alisa.
My grandson Mason, just looking at the tree.  I thought it was so cute!
 Zach and Mason

 Clara and Aiyana on Christmas morning.  Every little girl has a tutu these days and my granddaughters are no exception!
 What work it was trying to get a picture of all three of my grandkids at the same time...without one or the other trying to run off  (especially Aiyana, who dislikes having her picture taken now), start crying, or turning their head the second the camera snaps!  Clara got the wagon for her birthday, and it was a new fun thing for all of the kids to play in, so I grabbed my camera....hoping for that perfect shot.  It took at least a dozen unsuccessful attempts until finally my daughter-in-law had an idea.  She started singing the song Tomorrow from the movie 'Annie'...which Aiyana is in LOVE with.  Look at her face!  She just sat there and smiled and smiled, and nana finally got the shot!

 All dressed up and ready for New Year's Eve!  I think this is the first time since my kids were little that I spent New Year's Eve with them.  Amber got a babysitter for the little ones and we all went out to the Talking Stick Resort and Casino in Scottsdale for dinner and a band in the grand ballroom.  We rented a big van so all eight of us could ride together...that was a fun ride!  
 Me and Al!
 The whole gang from left to right, Joey, Alisa, me, Al, Mary, Zach, Amber and Dana.  The food was absolutely wonderful, the band was talented, but played old music. Blah
 Me, Al and Itsy


2 comments:

Amber said...

I love your pictures, mom. I'll have to snag that one of the kids looking at the camera.

tbsomeday said...

great pictures!
looks like a great time!

beautiful family

i love mason looking up at the tree too

and that last one of you and al is great!