Christmas (Part 2)

Sometimes I wish that it was Christmas all year long.  But then you ask, would it be as special if it was here every day?

The Wednesday before Christmas we made a trip into Boston to skate at City Hall Plaza and hang out at Quincy Market.  Just before that, my dad took Calleigh, Aubree, and Camden to his radio studio to record the program for Christmas morning. Sadly, this may be the last year that they get to do this as the program is low on funding. Very sad because this had become an annual tradition and of course, 51(?) other weeks of the year, he broadcasts a great show too (titled "In Times Like These").

Love that little Winnie dimple.

I got to walk around with these two going into all the little shops while the rest skated and Camille did some solo shopping.  Love them!

Just a girl who loves her Papa.

Quincy Market has a tree that they do a light show on and play music every 30 minutes.

I love walking through here during Christmas.  I should have stolen Shawn's pictures because it's 10 times more beautiful than this.

This is Camille's picture I believe.

Also Camille's picture.  

 Thursday was our day to hit the Pops.  We were feeling a little bit sad because our dear friend Bob Anderson, who was with us every Christmas and in particular loves the Boston Pops, passed away last January.  We knew he would have loved this show this year.  I know I loved it because they did "White Christmas" as part of the encore. When you hear those first strains start to play, it is a little bit of heaven on earth.

Camille and her photography while we wait for our table at the Cheesecake Factory.

It really does look like she's reading to him.

You have to kill time somehow waiting for your food.

The walk to Symphony Hall from the Prudential Center/Cheesecake Factory.

Time to get your sillies out before things get serious. 

Our view from the last row of the second balcony.  Exactly where we like to be.  For the record, Colby napped through about 80% of the show.

Waiting for Papa to pick us up afterwards. Brrr!!

Friday was a big day.  It was Duncan and my 15th wedding anniversary! How did we celebrate? By Christmas shopping, of course.  Actually, it was a pretty big deal because we got to go out sans kids.  I made several stops and my anticipation was mounting as I thought about eventually getting to Target and having my Mountain Dew (I only have one on Friday's.  This is how I keep myself in check).  Ahhhh!  Strolling through Target, shopping by myself as I sip a lovely beverage.  I couldn't wait.  I could almost taste it on my lips.  At last, I arrive and go to the counter and pay for my cup and walk over to the machine and find.....THIS!!

D-E-V-E-S-T-A-T-I-N-G

What in the world??? Please tell me this isn't a thing at all Target's now??!! I had to go back to the counter and get a refund.  Except the lady there couldn't do one.  I finally suggested I get a bottle since they were virtually the same price but I'd need to keep the cup because of course, I can't drink it without ice.  But then she couldn't give the cup because it was part of inventory and would throw things off.  She didn't know what to do so in the end, she just gave it all to me.  Bless her.  But I'm still disturbed about the whole thing.

I did manage to pull my self together and enjoy the rest of the day with this stud.  He's only gotten better with age.

Sabbath we spent the majority of the day at the Cape seeing many of our loved ones we would have seen at Newport had it happened this year.  Jonathan and Marcela along with Zasha and Luccia were visiting from Texas and it was great to see them since it doesn't happen too often.  It was especially meaningful because Jonathan sang "O Holy Night" at church which he sang at our wedding, now 15 years and one day before. I get goosebumps every time.  David and Yully also surprised us all with the announcement that they're expecting another baby.  I mean, we weren't necessarily surprised they were expecting but we were indeed surprised that they announced it and she isn't due until July 23.  Either way, very exciting.  I think there is only one arrow left in the Latimer quiver after this which is Ricky and Ana's second which would make 24.  It would be so cool to get to 25 if only we could convince someone to go for it.  Rad and Jen?? If I weren't so old, perhaps I'd go for it myself.

Attempting to get a cousin picture before church started. 

Attempting another one. Missing: Mia, Bode, Tyson, Westin, Caleb, Kaitlyn, Landon

The Brace cousins sang "One King" for special music.  At least, I think that's the name of it. 

A big gathering at Uncle Charlie and Aunt Lori's house afterwards for lunch and fellowship.  

Marcela and Jonathan (David's brother for those not familiar) 

This is a very special lady and I think this is a terrific picture of her. 

Kelly and Shannon.   

Aunt Sherrie and Aunt Lori 

Shawn and Chad Nosek (it was cool because we got to see extended cousins too.  This is my mom's cousin's son. ) 

Rad and I.  The youngest and the oldest cousin picture that I like to do sometimes.  Come on...do I like 9 years older??

From the Cape, we made our way to the Garden where 19 of us attended the Boston Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls basketball game.  It was the first time I've ever been to a Celtics game in Boston.  Hard to believe at my ripe old age!  We had a terrific time and the Celtics, who are having a superb year, annihilated them.

Even Bre came! 

I love this picture with Brady's hand resting on Aubree.

It's hard to see but we got on the Jumbotron three times! The kids had so much fun dancing around trying to get on there.  

Sunday morning we had some last minute shopping to do, it being Christmas Eve and all, and then it was time to watch the Patriots and Bills game.  My mom and dad went to the game courtesy of tickets from a friend of mine.  I thought we were all going to go to but it didn't work out in the end and as it was, it was a busy day anyway.  They got home around 5:30 and then it was time for the Christmas Eve festivities to begin!

Kids working on some ice cream cone Christmas trees. 

Note to self: This activity is yummy but also messy. 

Christmas caroling around the neighborhood.  We even had two neighbors join us this year after we stopped at their house to sing.

Some kid games. You had to throw mini marshmallows at "Santa's beard." We actually only did a few adult games this year because everyone was tired and didn't have a lot of energy.  Or, in some cases, were sick.  There is Aunt Lori in the background who would be diagnosed the next day with the flu.

Bre, hanging out with Daddy on Christmas Eve.

After a one year hiatus, our Christmas card contest was back in business, much to my delight.  I love this tradition. You, too, can be part of this tradition if you would send a Christmas card to my parents next year.  Fame and fortune (maybe) could be yours!

Our winner as voted by the eight adults members of the Brace family. It was not the one I had voted for but it was a worthy card, nonetheless.  Turns out it was sent by Kelly who was our scorekeeper!

I did a better job this year with all my shopping and wrapping ahead of time but there was still some left on Christmas Eve.  I think when all was said and done, it was my dad and I who shut the place down as we closed the night with the movie, "It Happened on Fifth Ave." 

Christmas morning we awoke to snow falling.  It doesn't get much better than that!!

Annoyingly, it's not letting me caption any of those pictures but I guess they're pretty self explanatory.   Calleigh's big gift this year was a Kindle (she loves to read like her mother) and the Patriots sweatshirt she is wearing. Aubree got a new camera for the Nature Hunters to take photos of nature.  Colby was the only kid who stayed outside to help Papa with shoveling snow.

For once, nobody left on Christmas Day.  But alas, it all came to a close the next day with each of the three Brace children and their families departing for yonder.  We were the last to leave with our 7:00 pm flight home.  

It was a wonderful, wonderful Christmas and all I can say is, only 340 days until we do it all again.  

Have a Happy Sabbath!