Christmas Eve

"Over the river and through the woods,
to Grandmother's house we go!"

We all love the annual family tradition of crossing two bridges and traveling down Jim and Sheila's unpaved, wooded country lane on our way to celebrate Christmas Eve with the Joyces. We arrived all aglow for mass, dinner and presents with the Joyce grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. We celebrated mass at St. Peter's where Peter's sister Catherine is buried and it was special to feel the whole family was together remembering Christ's birth and the gift of life He gave to all. Dinner was perfect, as always at Grandma's, and Grandpa won the Best Cookie Award with his Austrian Chocolate Balls. Young and old enjoyed the generous and thoughtful gifts (Pandora for all the girls) and there really is nothing like kids' eyes glowing in the fireflame and treelights as they open their new toys, even though Timmy already had Hungry Hippos! Sawyer was adorable (read "sleeping") for the most of the night and it was fun to see him join in the family fun for the first time. All cousins were home in their own beds in time for Santa, although it was a close call at our house. And we heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight, "Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good night!