Christmas 2010

I grew up in Central Illinois.

My Grandparents lived in Maryland and Missouri.

The closest relatives were five hours away.

Therefore, we celebrated Christmas on Christmas Day.

We would get presents from our Grandparents in the mail and opened them on Christmas morning.

The idea of having more than one Christmas in new to me.

I sorta like it :)

Here is a summary of our Three Christmas's in 2010!

Christmas #1:  The Ascencio Christmas

Tommy organized the Ascencio Christmas this year and hosted it at our house on the 23rd.  

Sean and Monica invited us to their house on Christmas Day, but since we don't get out of pajama's on Christmas, we invited them to our house on the 23rd instead.  So, Grandma & Grandpa, Aunts & Uncle's and cousins gathered to exchange presents and share food.

Grandpa found a new wine he liked and Uncle Johnny caught a nap on the couch wrapped up in his battery operated string of Christmas lights!  It was a great time!

 Abby was given a Tinkerbell outfit and snow boots.

 Here's a snapshot of Grandma & Grandpa and their favorite 2-year olds.

 Take a look at Tommy NOT helping clean up.

Tommy and Sean became close friends when Sean finished our basement.  So close that they call each other to coordinate their outfits.  Cute, huh?

Christmas #2:  Christmas at Home

We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at home as a family.  We went to 4PM mass on Christmas Eve.  We arrived almost 30 minutes early and luckily grabbed a spot of carpet to sit on in the back of church.  While the boys were getting the car after church, Abby found the priest and walked up with her hand stretched out to shake his hand.  She has seen Daddy do this and now she does it after each mass.  The priest always stops to shake her hand and then she says 'Peace' (as in the sign of peace). 

Here's a picture of Abby & George dressed up after Church.  They didn't get to open the presents they are holding until the next day, but it's the only thing that kept them still long enough for a picture.

 Before bed, Abby opened the last door on the Advent Calendar.  It contained a Hershey's Kiss and Baby Je Je (Baby Jesus).  She knew exactly where Baby Jesus belonged in the nativity scene.  Then we set out cookies and milk for Santa!

 Christmas morning the kids woke up at the same time around 8AM.  (Bless them!)

Abby was sitting in her bed and when Daddy walked in her room she said "Ho, Ho, Ho?" (that was her way of asking if Santa came).  She went to the family room and was delighted to see he had brought her a baby, just what she had requested!

 Here is Abby taking her baby for a ride on the new fun Radio Flyer Flyer 500.  George wasn't so sure about this toy at first, but it is January 4th and he has already mastered it and can do it all by himself (he's not even 14 months old yet!!)

 George enjoyed a candy cane Grandma and Grandpa taped to one of his presents. (For those of you wondering... Yes, Daddy was downstairs at the time.)

 On Christmas evening, George had a tough time staying awake waiting for Grandma and Grandpa to stop by.  However, he did and as soon as they pulled out of the driveway he was looking for his bed.

Christmas #3:  The Werries Christmas

The day after Christmas we packed up and left for Illinois.  We made great time, arrived a little early and stressed out Aunt Karen.  But, that's okay, what are sisters for?

Aunt Loretta, Uncle Rich, Aunt Jen and Baby Alex were there already.

Abby immediately became BFF's with Hannah and Elisabeth and in LOVE with Isaac.  When we left the girls were exhausted and Isaac was relieved to have a 2 year old stop climbing all over him.  

 Hannah shared her gingerbread house kit with Abby.  Abby was very excited to be a big girl and 'help'.

 Abby LOVES baby Alex.  

She could sit and hold her all day.  

In fact, when Alex's Daddy came to get her when she got fussy Abby told him "No!".  When he asked Abby if she could handle it, she didn't hesitate to say "Uh huh".

Aunt Karen not only hosted all of us at her house, she also took care of Abby and George ALOT.  She rocked George to sleep when he needed it...

and bundled Abby up and took her sledding (while mom watched from the window from inside the nice warm house!).  Aunt Karen sat Abby on the sled and pulled her up the hill numerous times... she is up for Aunt of the Year.

We were able to watch Isaac and Dean play a father-son basketball game one night of our visit.  Abby was Isaac's personal cheerleader and Elisabeth provided the pom poms.  "Go Eye Ick" (That's what it sounds like when Abby tries to say 'Go Isaac'.).

And, as tradition goes... before we leave the Werries family, Tommy gets a picture of him with all the kids.  Hannah was at basketball practice and George was already in the car, so here it is...

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We are sorry to see the holiday's end.  

Mostly because we (Tommy) have to take down the tree now.

However, we are looking forward to next year.

We are very blessed to have our health and such wonderful family and friends to share our life with.

Until next post,

The Ascencio's