Merry Christmas!!
Monday, December 27, 2004
A McDonnell Christmas
Here are the digital pictures from the McDonnell reunion. I'm sure I'll post my 35mm ones later when they're developed because they usually turn out better, (there's no delay when shooting.)
I think everyone had a great visit...
Evan called Caitlin "Aunt Cee cee" for no apparent reason. He particulary liked Molly, Matthew, and Uncle Brendan. His favorite Christmas gifts were his Fisher Price grill and his blocks. He also got a "Goodnight Moon" board game and some board puzzles and Leapfrog toys and other things. He will be very sad to see the neighborhood Christmas lights come down and the inflatable snowmen "melt" away. It had become a nightly routine to take him out on a short stroll to see them before bed and he thanked God for them in his prayers every night.
As for the McDonnells:
Kelly caught up on some reading...her very favorite pastime. Shannon brought a fun picture project that we had a lot of fun staying up late and working on. Caitlin, Ryan, and Brendan spent a few nights over here and we rented movies, (some good, others not so good,) and they were great sports at having to crash on the couch and wake up early with the kids. Grandma and Grandpa seemed happy just to have their whole bunch together again. Oh, and Kelly and I also made a three layer cake that almost turned tragic until she rescued it with her wonderful icing job. So while they did have a rough first night at a different hotel, (with a drunk woman trying to get into their rooms and a fire alarm going off and making them leave the building at four in the morning,) I think after that, everything fell into place pretty well and they all had a nice stay. I'm so glad Shaun got to see everyone and show them his children and home.
Hope all of you had a great Christmas, as well! We'd love to hear what you did, so email us soon!
Friday, December 24, 2004
Happy Christmas Eve!
Well I can't believe I'm still awake! I must be crazy.
The McDonnell Clan is all here safely. We've had a lot of fun already; shopping today, playing a board game together tonight. I don't know that Tim's ever lost a board game in his life...he's one of those people who knows ever answer to every Jeopardy question ever asked, but I can assure you he's going down tomorrow night!
I will post pictures of their visit later, when the visit has passed and the pictures all taken.
These pictures below are of Evan and Madalyn playing together, which they're just starting to do. I think I enjoy nothing more than watching them interact. There are also some pictures of Evan helping me make cookies for the neighbors. He helps dump all the ingredients, stir, and counts each cookie as it goes on the sheet. He did a very good job, is a great helper, and I love the company in the kitchen.
And isn't his haircut cute? He looks soooo old!! How does this happen so fast?! It's terrifying and exciting at once.
Madalyn is all smiles, (except when she's gnawing and fussing about her teeth coming in, though one hasn't poked through the surface just yet.) She doesn't quite know what to make of all the noise around the house and is a bit unsure of it all...though Evan has been doing laps and yelling since the moment they all arrived, just thrilled with all the excitement. He is particularly fond of Molly and Uncle Brendan, who he begs to take him in the backyard constantly.
So that's the latest...tomorrow we'll go to Mandarin Christian's candle-lit service and I'm gonna make Paula Deen's hot chocolate recipe, (my favorite cook on Food Network.) Just wanted to post a few pictures and wish you all a Happy Christmas Eve, and soon enough a Merry Christmas!
Thanks be to God for sending us His only Son!
