Christmas North

Before we could even put away the presents from Christmas Day, Noah and I packed up and headed up to Northeast Ohio to celebrate the season with my mom's family. We meet up at my Uncle Tom's house for brunch—my favorite—and exchange gifts and merriment over steaming cups of hot coffee.

Mom reads a story with McCamey & Alex.

This is the adorable little Tommy.... not to be confused with his dad, Tommy, or Tommy's dad, Tom. 

Rylan loves to be in his mama's arms. 

Trish & Gram D. get a coveted spot at the dining room table.

Auntie Peg begins present distribution for the fourth generation. They always go first, of course. The first, second and third generations settle for a spirited white elephant exchange with good gifts instead of gags!

The traditional stair picture. I can remember when I jostled for the seat at the top with my cousins. It hardly seems possible that I'm too old to pose now.

 

Even though we don't hit the stairs anymore, we do like to gather round the Polaroid for a snapshot. 

 

Back at my mom & dad's house, Noah got some coveted one-on-one time with his Wisconsin cousins. Here he is with Evan, whom he idolizes. Evs, of course, is just a tad bit too old and sophisticated—at 6—to hang much with his little cousin. The whole thing just makes me chuckle.

And Brendan is so old—at 9—he thinks Noah is cute and indulges him in some wrestling as well as sharing Papa's cool chair.

The Doucette gang, plus Noah.

 

Rylan, Camey, Jeff & Emily stopped over to visit too, until our little man spiked a 102+ fever. Ah, gotta love the constant germ battle of babies/toddlers/preschoolers. 

What a fabulous 2010 Christmas!