Lunch with the Krazy Kousins

Alana was invited to join her Grandma Mary, Aunt Laurie Allen, Cousins Sandy Peterson & Kathy Hayden for a really fancy lunch at Lake Park Bistro. Melissa was only invited to be Alana's means of transportation. We started off at the condo for coffee and hot chocolate and headed out for the delicious lunch. Alana was wonderful for the nearly 3-hour lunch. She was not impressed that we were staying for dessert but survived things just fine. Thank you for including us in your tradition!!!

Alana and her bumpo

The Rest of Christmas

We started off Christmas Eve at Shawn's parents condo around 4pm.

Afterwards, we went over to Melissa's parents to open gifts with all the kids. They were estatic to see us because then they know it is PRESENT TIME! Better watch out for all those bows flying through the air!

Jenny had made this Santa in high school art class and

Daryl gave it away while cleaning out the basement.

On Christmas morning, Shawn, Melissa & Alana exchanged gifts at our house. Shawn got a Robin Yount signed baseball bat while Melissa got some bling for her ears. Alana got a few toys and a car seat.

Around noon we went over to Melissa's brother's house for Christmas with her Mom's side of the family.

Around 5pm, we left Jeff's house to travel back to Shawn's parents' condo to celebrate Christmas with his Dad's side of the family.

How the times have changed....

On December 23rd, the Maio family was gracious enough to host a mini Shorewood High School reunion. Ben Sattell was in town for the holidays along with his family, Flowers, Hawk & Moses. Also in attendance was Bilal & Usnije Hamden with their daughter SuSu; and, of course, Matt, Sarah & Genevieve Maio. I love the picture of the big boys and their children. Please notice that our daughter is sticking her tongue out at Ben and he sticks his back out at her. The things that he is teaching her...hmmm

Santa's girl

Christmas Part I of VI

My father's side of the family decided that it was too difficult for everybody to celebrate Christmas on Christmas, so we celebrated two weeks early this year. We had an excellent time visiting everybody. Santa's elves even stopped by to check on the kids and drop off candy canes, reindeer antlers. They were warned that Santa was still watching over them. Yikes!

The Popcorn Incident

We received a large tin of popcorn as a thank you for buying the new mini van. Once we've decided we have had our share, we thought the dogs were deserving of some. Despite the amount of coercing, they refused to eat directly out of the tin. As soon athe popcorn itself was on the floor, game on. Shawn even tried to show them how to do it.