The days preceeding Christmas...

Aunt Joan and Scott treated my sister's family and mine to a nice lunch and marvelous conversation at the Fantail on Sunday, December 21st. Of course it had to be the coldest day yet this winter (after all it was the first true day of winter), and the roads were treacherous. Joan and Scott still braved the environment and made the trek up to see us. We drove the two blocks as well and enjoyed a wonderful afternoon of catching up and opening a few gifts. Joan has always been so good to us and continues to be so as we get older. It's nice to have her so much closer these years, although with schedules we still don't get to see enough of each other. Still it's nice to know she is so close if we ever do need her.

Olivia all dolled up to go meet Aunt Joan and Scott for lunch at Fantail in the freezing cold below zero weather.

Care Bear books! What could be greater?

Sprinkling out the reindeer food for Rudolph and his friends on Christmas Eve before we left for church.

All smiles at Grandma and Grandpa McNeil's house Christmas Eve night after a good dinner and waiting to open one gift early!

Andy, Olivia and I did the usual Christmas Eve service with my dad and Patty, and then dinner at their house. After we opened our annual one gift early (always pajamas), it was a nice relaxing evening filled with anticipation for our little 3 year old. This is the first year I think she's really gotten the concept of Santa coming and been so anxious for the next day. She was a lot of fun this year! In the past we have also tried to manage midnight mass, but with Olivia it is too late of a night.