Our First Christmas 2008

In all the years since I have been born, we have always spent Christmas day with my Dad's family (when I met Todd we shared that day with his family as well) and Christmas Eve with my mom's family. It was a rare occasion that we hosted Christmas at our house.  Well, this year we had that chance and it was a blast!  With this being Shannon's first Christmas we wanted to be able to celebrate and relax without needing to rush home for her bedtime, so my family came to our house a couple days after Christmas. We all really don't mind celebrating on another day and it kind of extends the celebrating as well!  You may be asking yourself "didn't she already see her parents and brother like 10 times already this week?" and the answer is "yes". However, those times are usually with extended family and doesn't allow us really savor and enjoy the special time with my immediate family.

We enjoyed a delicious traditional meal of honey roast, double baked potatoes, broccoli casserole, and various other small sides. We opted out of baking and purchased the most delicious bakery goods from a bakery that prides itself on flavor and presentation. Although our house is small (cozy i like to say) we made it work and now have precious memories of Shannon's (and our) first Christmas.

The hit of the evening was the Radio Flyer wagon packed with all the bells and whistles from Grandma and Grandpa.It includes a sun shade, cup holders, fold down surface for a "table", and an attached cargo trailer to carry along extra treats and toys! As soon as we wheeled it out, Shannon was all over it! She isn't what you'd call a sweet, calm little girl. Sweet yes, calm no way.  Watching her climb and crawl in a red sweater dress with white fur at the trim, is a picture we will never forget!

Thank You Aunt Wendy!

From the day we asked our sister in law Wendy to be Shannon's godmother, we knew we made a perfect choice!  She has been more loving, sweet, and interested in Shannon's life than we could have ever imagined. For Christmas she went above and beyond what it means to be a Godmother.  

For many years Wendy had been collecting ornaments of various Disney characters.  As a gift, Shannon was given all of those ornaments to put on her own tree someday (or our tree should she choose to do so).  They were packaged in an adorable ornament container along with another empty container for future ornaments Wendy will give her each Christmas.  When Wendy explained the gift she was crying, I was crying and I even think most others had a tear in their eye as well.  In addition, she decorated a play table and chair with Shannon's name and cute

 decorations.  It will be a perfect place for Shannon to enjoy snacks, color, and play!

Thank you Aunt Wendy- words can not describe your thoughtfulness!

"F" Family Christmas

Christmas with Todd's family was once again filled with fun and traditions. Grandma Jan works so hard to make the day just perfect. From the beautifully decorated table and tree to the scrumptious dinner and bazillion desserts, it couldn't be more perfect.  Jan has a way of making everything so cozy and comfortable. I'd like to think I'm good at some of those things as we create memories and traditions for Shannon. I will openly admit however, that Todd will have to be in charge of the food part. I think because he grew up with a mom who was such a good cook, he developed the love of and skill for cooking!

Shannon with her cousins, Alex, Adam, Christy and Mark. Please ignore (we'll now you will look if you haven't noticed already) Mark's unchristmas like attire!

Adam is just the best big cousin! He loves to hang out and play with Shannon and she returns and welcomes the attention! 

So typical Shannon, staring at new things and people like they have 2 heads! It had been a while since she had seen Aunt Lisa and couldn't take her eyes off her!

This was Shannon's second outfit of the night (hat included). The first one got a little damp if you know what I mean. We got caught up in all the excitement and change in routine of the day that we forgot a diaper change! Oops!   She loved the giant bow and was finally starting to figure out how all the present opening worked!

Monaco Christmas contd.

Shannon enjoying a very fancy gift of a water bottle. It kept her occupied while we opened gifts.

Uncle Tommy asked if he could feed Shannon. She didn't quite know what to make of him!

Somewhat interested in a opening Aunt Anita's gift. 

Hanging out with Daddy before dinner enjoying all the new sights and sounds of Aunt Anita's busy kitchen.

So again, I think we enjoyed the first (more to come) Christmas celebration and  gift giving more than Shannon. I'm guessing next year she will be more involved! 

For some reason this blogging system only let's me upload 5 pictures at a time. So, as you can see, I have to publish multiple posts for one day to get it all in. I'm sure there is a way to do it but I haven't figured it out. 

Monaco Christmas

Shannon and grandpa playing in the mirror.

Uncle Tommy showing off the Cubs barbeque apron we bought for him.

Uncle Mike and Jen.

Shannon spent the first half of the evening playing in Aunt Anita's and Uncle Tommy's coffee table. A you can see it had a glass top and Shannon couldn't get enough of it! Does she ever sit still you ask.... not too often.

Even though no one in the family is any longer named Monaco exactly, I still call it that. Since the beginning of time (my time) we have always celebrated Christmas Eve with my mom's side of the family. Over the past few years that has varied on the actual day, as it did this year when we got together the Sunday before Christmas. 

Anita made lasagna, pasta, and homemade meatballs using my grandma's recipe. We don't have that very often any more so tasting all the food brings back many years of memories of dinners, holidays, and birthday celebrations at my grandparent's house.  It's days and moments like these that I miss them the most and wish they could meet Shannon for just one day. They would love her more than we do!  My grandma could sew anything and would have made Shannon her very first Christmas dress. I guess I'll have to teach Shannon all about her great grandparents through memories, stories, and pictures. We hope to create everlasting memories for Shannon as well so that she can someday feel the same about her family. 

New Surprises

Shannon received her first Christmas gifts this week!  My good friend Deb gave Shannon an adorable navy sweater with ruffles around the cuffs and a perfect hat to match!  Deb is very much like me so when she asked me what Shannon could use and my reply was "something simple and practical" she was more than happy to do that.  The navy sweater will get so much use and the material is versatile for now and for spring or cool summer nights!

Nancy, Shannon's wonderful day care provider, bought her a color book for babies and a cute pig toy that shakes and vibrates when his nose is pushed.  Shannon gets a kick out of biting his nose and watching him go!

She wasn't quite sure what to make of it all.  In general she is not tentative about too many things. But this time it was funny to see her keep her hands back (as she does when she is not sure of something new) as I guided her in opening gifts.   She gave this cute smile when she figured out there was something inside. After that, the box and wrapping were much more fun to play and make noise with.

Shannon seems to like hats and..... doesn't she look cute!

She was glad tissue was part of the gift!

On The Move

Getting comfortable letting go and turning around. 

She loves boxes!

Hi Shannon!

4 Total

2 More teeth have arrived. Aren't they cute?