Can you believe we're all the way to December?

We started the month off with a........wedding!

Andy and Kailyn were married on a very snowy, December 5 at what most people told us was the best wedding, ever. We agree! Words just can't do it...so let me show you a ton of photos:

Michael was his brother's best man, Tony was an usher:

My beautiful niece, Katlyn, was the junior bridesmaid.

The whole family was there...although once again, we missed getting my brother in the photo. We'll get him next time!

The reception was tons of fun. The wedding planner out did herself, the hall was so beautiful, it looked like a winter wonderland. I think that the person that had the most fun was my 77 year old mother! She danced the night away, making sure she danced with all the cute guys...

Like my brother...


and Andy...
And Tony!


During the reception, the DJ announced that the Village People were going to perform for us, singing their hit song, YMCA. You can't believe the cheers they got when they came out:
I could barely stand up when I saw our sons, Andy, Tony and Michael, or the police man, the sailor and the Indian chief, along with Kailyn's brother, dancing! It was too funny!

While we were inside, dancing the night away, it was snowing outside...we were fortunate and all our friends and family members made it home safely.

Getting ready for Christmas is such fun for us! Tony and Morgan went down to Pittsburgh to skate at PPG's wintergarden:

The whole family got together to spend a day in Pittsburgh, exploring the strip district and having a fun lunch at the Cheesecake Factory.
Linda was confused by the whole holdiay thing...
But Bill caught on quickly. He even practiced sitting on Santa's lap. Mark didn't appreciate being a Santa substitute!
Also in December, Mark and I found a new church home! For Mark, it was instantaneous, he knew he was where he should be. For me....well...let's just say it took a little longer.

Andy kept playing with his tractor...with a few mishaps...
What can I say????

A kid that comes home to cuddle Bill can't be all that bad!


Growing up, Christmas was always such fun for us. The Christmas after my father died was so sad, I made up my mind that we would never have another sad Christmas again. We had family!

That's the year I we started hanging our stockings again for Christmas Eve at my mother's house. All year we pick up odds and ends to put in each other's stockings. Nothing cost more than $1 and most things are...well...

This year Tony found swimming rafts on clearance...


And everyone got tiaras (and clown noses)!
Recognize these guys?

The policeman:
The sailor:
And the Indian chief!
There is a lot of creative wrapping going on...
Those are drum sticks!

And lots of giggles and lots of reminiscing, lots of memories being made. It's our night to be silly!

Christmas eve has always been a special time for our family to be together. Christmas day, we all have our 'other families' and other traditions to keep us busy, but eventually, tired had happy, the kids all end up at our house to end the day. I try to get a photo of all of them together, this year is was (almost) successful.


Hey...isn't this fun? I LOVE Christmas. Come back tomorrow, we'll celebrate January!

Love,
Jan