We Wish You a Merry Christmas...

Since we spent our Christmas in numerous places, I've split it into both Christmas Eve & Christmas Day...

Christmas Eve:

Christmas Eve was a pretty quiet, peaceful day. Dad & I began the day by kneading & baking two batches of homemade, Polish bread - YUM!! After breakfast, we let the girls open their presents from Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie Anna, Aunt Barb & Uncle Max, & Uncle Mark & Aunt Mindy. They got a ton of presents & loved every one!! Jillian was definitely more into unwrapping gifts this year than last! The looks on her face were priceless!

Then, after naptime, we all got ready for Christmas Eve Mass. We went to 4 p.m. Mass, which was the children's Mass. We met my Mom, Aunt Linda, Poppy, Nana, Jen, Jason, & Haley at church & shared in the Mass together as a family. It was wonderful to be surrounded by family once again for such a beautiful holiday! After Mass, we headed to Coici's house (Coici means "aunt" in Polish - she is my Dad's sister) for a yummy dinner & more family time with my Dad's side of the family. The girls loved exploring Coici's house & playing with Dunkin & Angel, their 2 Golden Retrievers. They also loved tagging along after my cousins, Sean & Megan. After we ate dinner, Coici showered the girls with fun presents! She also gave Craig & I scratch off MD State Lottery tickets & I won $50!!! Craig won $7. It was a great, relaxing evening!! Thank you, Coici & Uncle Johnny for a yummy dinner, great company, & wonderful presents! We love you!!

The yummy bread cooling - it smelled AMAZING!!

Jillian excited over opening her presents!

Kylie loved her sweater from Aunt Barb & Uncle Max!

All the wonderful gifts the girls received from Florida & New Mexico - THANK YOU so much!! We love & miss you all SO much!!

Jillian, Kylie, & Haley on the altar steps after Christmas Eve Mass.

Dad relaxing in the recliner before dinner.

Dad stirring the delicious BBQ that Coici made for dinner - YUM!!

The family hanging out - love the bunny ears Craig's putting on my brother :)

Kylie & Jillian petting Angel - they LOVED the dogs!

Jillian hanging out with Megan & checking out the cool snow globe.

Jillian feeding Dunkin his food.

Jillian & Sean - he was helping to clean her up after she spit out a Peppermint Patty she didn't like.

Kylie chillin' on the couch with Uncle Johnny.

The tree after Santa left...two little girls were very good this year!

Christmas Day:

Bright & early at around 7 a.m., Kylie woke us up by saying "Good Morning, Mom & Dad! It's Christmas!" She patiently waited until 7:30 & then we all came downstairs to see what Santa left under the tree! Their faces were priceless!! They were genuinely surprised & excited when they saw all the gifts!! They opened up their stockings to see all the little goodies Santa put in there before heading over to the bigger gifts. Kylie tore through hers so fast! Jillian took a little longer to open each one. We thought we would be there until New Year's! :)

Once the girls were finished opening up their presents from both Santa & Dziadzi, it was our turn! Dziadzi went first & loved his Ravens ornament, new PJs, & dress shirt, plus all his new goodies in his stocking. Craig went next & loved his new Ravens jersey, jeans, & polo shirt! I went last & got a beautiful pair of gold hoop earrings, two books, & a bath & body set! We were all spoiled this year!!

The girls on Christmas morning.

Kylie opening her new "I Spy" game.

Jillian carefully opening her presents.

Kylie & her new magnetic paper dolls.

Jillian on her new Princess bus - She LOVED it!!

Dziadzi opening his new PJs.

Craig & his new Baltimore Ravens jersey - #20 Ed Reed!

After we were all finished opening presents & eating a delicious breakfast of Polish sausage & homemade bread, we got ready to head over to my brother's house for exchanging of presents with him, Jen, & my Mom. Once again, the girls were SPOILED!! They both got new outfits, a few DVDs, & plenty of new toys. Mom-Mom even got them their very own portable DVD player so they can watch movies anywhere in the house, including our room! They also had a great time playing with my brother's dog, Sushi!

Wrapping paper frenzy at Uncle Matt's.

Jillian dancing to her Brobby doll from "Yo! Gabba, Gabba!"

Jillian completely thrilled with her new Christmas board book!

Kylie checking out her new Ponyville Amusement Park!

Kylie holding up her new Princess Tea Set.

From my brother's house we headed to my Mom & Aunt Linda's house for our last stop on the Christmas Day activities. There we met up with Aunt Linda, Nancy, Poppy, Nana, Jennifer, Jason, Haley, Matt, Jen, & a surprise visit from my cousins, Shani & Truman!! We had dinner & then opened presents. The girls could not wait to open their presents! Jillian had fallen asleep, so she actually got to open hers all by herself when she finally woke up. The highlight for Kylie was receiving her very own Mystery Machine & complete set of figures of Scooby-Doo & the entire Mystery, Inc. gang from Aunt Nancy! Her response was "This is the best present EVER!".

Haley & Kylie anxiously waiting to open their presents!

Kylie & her "best present EVER!"

A new Princess purse set from Aunt Jen, Uncle Jason, & Haley!

Jillian opening her presents after he nap with Mom-Mom's help.

What a wonderful day!! This Christmas made us realize how truly blessed we are & what is most important in life. It's not how much money you have or how many material things you can afford - it's about love, friends, family, each other. We are so grateful to everyone for making this a Christmas to remember! We love you all! From our home to yours, we pray your Christmas was as memorable & blessed as ours! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!