Christmas '08

In what's becoming an unfortunate habit, I once again misplaced my charger for my camera the minute we unloaded the car at my 'rents. So I could only squeeze a few pictures out of the battery before it fizzled out. Hopefully, my dad took enough throughout the 10 days we were in the DC area (shuttling between University Towers and the Flynn's house) so we'll have plenty of images of Eamon's first Christmas. Despite the lack of photos documenting our time at home, we had a GREAT time! It was so nice to see all of the family and friends, to eat delicious food, and to enjoy the wonderful weather we had for at least three of the days we were there. Eamon, too, seemed to love seeing both sets of grandparents, his aunts, great aunts, great uncles, and extended cousins (I eventually labeled all of the back-and-forth we were doing "Eamon's World Tour" since we pretty much had a stop every day or night). We saw nearly everyone who happened to be in town, only missing Mark's aunts and uncles on his mom's side due to some unfortunate timing. Oh well, it's not like we won't be back down anytime soon!

Thanks to everyone for all of the many wonderful gifts we received and to our gracious hosts and hostesses for making this a very memorable holiday!

MSM vs Georgetown

It feels like forever ago, but on our first day down in DC, we went to the Verizon Center to see the Mount play Georgetown. A bunch of us--12 in all--went and had a great time. Georgetown played poorly, making it a more exciting game for us Mount fans. Eamon really liked all of the lights and noise of the Verizon Center--looks like we have a basketball fan on our hands! After, we hit up Fado for some quick bites.

A little holiday cheer...

Happy Holidays from the world's cutest Santa!

Out of a magazine...

Back in October, we traveled to Chicago for the wedding of Pat (Mark's cousin) and Mary. Their professional pictures are online now and are absolutely beautiful. If anyone is planning an event or wedding near Chicago, you should hire their photographer! He did such a fab job.

I especially like this shot of the happy couple...it could easily hold a page in The Knot magazine...

Happy Four Months!

Eamon is four months old today! He is currently celebrating by snoozing away in his bouncy chair. For all of the various things the little guy's been up to lately, check out my blog dedicated to all things E.

(Oh--this is one of his "formal" Christmas photos taken last week...it's kind of a funny pose, and yes, he does have some high-wats on, but I had to get it...just look at that face!!)

Cookie Day at Rose Lane

In what's becoming a very fun holiday tradition, we gathered together in New Paltz on Saturday for Cookie Day. Bubba came from CT, the 'rents from MD, and the four sisters, two husbands, and two babies from the city (and it's close outer-reaches, AKA Hoboken). Rose Lane was the perfect setting (just as perfect as the Bernardis abode, where we met last year) and we had a very fun time baking, sampling, singing, laughing, and just enjoying the beautiful scenery in and around the house.

As always, Bec and John were the consummate hosts, making sure we all had a comfy, cozy place to rest our heads and plenty to eat and drink. I'm seriously thinking about moving in to the apartment over their garage--I've had the best nights sleep there! (And thankfully, so did little E.)

Here are lots of pics from the weekend.

Oh Christmas Tree...

Here are some before, during, and after shots of our Christmas tree. We opted for a smaller size after last year's debacle of getting our too-big and totally dead tree down the three flights of stairs--I'm still haunted by the sight of so many needles littering the hallways, steps, and just about every inch of the apartment! What a nightmare...

BTW...

As you can see in the Santa pic below, most of Eamon's pants are high waters! Poor guy. He's not even 4 months old and has already grown out of his 3-6 months pants. The tops fit just fine, but, as Karl pointed out today, his bottoms are "like shorts" on him. Or at least Capri's. I'm still dressing him in the smaller size because he has too many cute clothes (thanks, Aleta!!) and I really want him to wear them all. But this kid is growing like a weed! It's hard to keep up.

Getting Spirited!

With Christmas just around the corner, my holiday spirit is kicking into high gear. Usually, I'm a bit sluggish with the whole present buying-decorating-feeling festive thing, but this year I'm trying not to wait until the last minute. It definitely helps to have Eamon around; even though he has no clue why I'm forcing a Santa hat on his head or sitting him in a strange old man's lap, he's giving me that extra motivation to start the celebration!

All of this festivity has not come without some exasperation on my part, however. I tend to get distracted when I'm running around with Eamon and have managed to do some pretty stupid things lately...some may call it a case of "Mommy Brain." In the past week, I've locked us out of the apartment (with a screaming, hungry Eamon, no less) and lost (then found, miraculously) prints of E's professional pictures I had to spend a good five hours at the lovely Paramus Park mall in order to receive. By some stroke(s) of dumb luck, all turned out fine--thanks to Mark's cat-burgling skills (ask him about them next time you see him) and an unknown good Samaritan at the mall (who turned in my photos after finding them, gulp, in the mall's parking lot. They'd been run over, but were completely salvageable!).

I guess all of the stress and stupidity is just part of the package during the holidays. But then I take one look at this adorable pic of E and Santa, and dealing with the crazies at a Jersey mall seems totally worth it. (BTW, the real pics I lost--then found--will be making their way to a Christmas card near you soon).

Sam's standing! Will walking be next? All signs (and shoes!) point to YES!

More Thanksgiving

Finally got around to posting my paltry collection of Thanksgiving pics. I did manage to get some cute ones of the kids, though. Like these of Sophie and Lucy on the tractor and in the leaves--wasn't it just yesterday that Sissy, me, and the rest of the cousins were getting hauled around in the wagon by Grandpop and diving into leaf piles ourselves? The girls are so cute--as are all of the little ones. Check out the one of Sam STANDING! His legs are ready for walking! And I love the pic of Jeanie, Philip, and Eamon. PTC III certainly knows how to pose!