Christmas 2009

Christmas at our house was completely perfect this year. We had family members and some close family friends over for tamales on Christmas Eve. This is the only picture I have from that evening, but I love it. On the left is my second cousin, Graham. He is a talented musician (studied at Berklee College of Music and has played with Robert Francis and other big names). Campbell recently started piano lessons, and the two of them were at the piano discussing major and minor scales and other aspects of music theory.

This is from Christmas morning. The main gift for the kids from Santa was a trunk full of classic games (Sorry, Monopoly, Jenga, Trouble, Yahtzee, etc.). It has been a great gift. We have had many family game nights since then. And the kids have enjoyed playing board games with each other, as well.

One of Helene's favorite gifts was her American Girl Just Like Me doll, whom she named Samantha Annika Bradley. Samantha has hair and eyes that match Helene's, and the two of them received matching outfits, as well. Helene has never been much of a doll person, but she loves Samantha. She puts Sam to bed with her at night and sends her to "school" (a corner of her room) each morning.

Everyone's favorite Christmas gift was Bell, Chad & Courtney's new daughter, born on December 18. They were able to join us for a couple of nights beginning on Christmas Eve, and it was so peaceful to have a newborn in the house.

Later in the holiday, we all went up to Northfork. We had a fun time sledding up on the Meadow.

The holiday was full of family, friends, and fun. All in all, just perfect.