Happy Birthday Tim!

My brother Tim's birthday is December 27th - right after Christmas! Janet, his wife, had everyone come to Dellwood indoor soccer club for some much needed activity. We played a competitive game of indoor soccer as only Wilson's know how to do. We don't care if you are only 6 years old, we will knock you down for the ball! It was fun & my legs feel great from sprinting for 1 1/2 hours! Happy Birthday Tim - I love you! Tim & Josephine on Christmas Eve - all the kids love him, probably because he is always acting like a kid!

Christas Day

We spend Christmas Day with the Carollo's. The plan is for us to host it every year, but Becky (Pete's sister) volunteered since she was not doing Christmas Eve. I happily conceded and was so glad to not stress about it!! We could relax in the morning & open gifts, eat a yummy breakfast & just hang out until 1pm. We had a great time visiting with Denny & Judy & Rob & Heather & their kids. Amanda, Jason & Charlet live in Florida now & couldn't come up for Christmas - we missed seeing them but hopefully we will see them in March.

Santa brought a basketball hoop for the girls and a dry erase board with lots of pens for the downstairs play area. Of course, it has not stopped raining so we haven't put it up yet. They love writing on the board too, especially Anna & Jo. Good job Santa!

Rob & Heather's kids: Evan & Amelia! Evan looks exactly like Rob & Amelia looks just like Heather. We tried to get them all together, but it just would not work. Next family gathering....

Heather & I hanging out - I wish we could see each other more. We decided to figure out a summer gathering at the park this year. Twice a year is not enough!

Christmas Eve Excitement

I love Christmas Eve so much - the beautiful Mass, the anticipation, the excitement, dressing up, visiting with family, the calm after the kids go to bed & it is just me & Pete sitting in the dark with the tree lit up.

We spend Christmas Eve night with my family at Greg, Kay & Jacob's house (my brother, sister-in-law & nephew). We go to Mass at St. John Bosco (their parish) & then head over for food & drink & presents. Since we have so many nieces & nephews, we pick names & open those presents on Christmas Eve. We try to keep it secret about which names we picked, but my sister Joanie just can't wait to figure them out!! She has always been that way - has to know!! Rosie received a paper doll making craft, Anna received a Build a Bear & Jo opened the most adorable sleeping bag. I have to post that picture of her in the sleeping bag!

We feasted on ham & turkey with so many yummy sides - we are always hungry & eat till we are stuffed. We also had a few glasses of wine waiting for Tim & Janet to arrive which made for an even crazier evening. My sisters will laugh at me because I always leave my glass half full!!My mom & dad opened our gift since we won't see them on Christmas Day. They loved the calendar with pictures from 2009 & the Fox tickets were a huge hit.

Rosie, Caty & Anna playing downstairs - they had to change into their comfy clothes, of course!

I put Jo's PJs on her before we left, and she also decided to show off her Santa hat!

Here's my cutie with her Christmas Eve outfit - a little too big now that I see this picture. She's so darn small!! She loved jumping on the little trampoline & gave me her typical silly smile.

I almost forgot to mention the best part of the evening - Mary's fun game for the family. My sister, Mary, is so creative & always thinking of something different to do on Christmas Eve. She found 18 pictures & hid one person on each picture. We had to try & guess who it was & then she had gag gifts wrapped up & it was a kind of "rob your neighbor" if you got the answer correct. What a blast - we all wanted the gifts until we opened them. It was hysterical - great job Mary - so fun!!!

Meeting Santa

If this doesn't make you laugh, nothing will! We went to see Santa at Frontenac Mall on Christmas Eve (during the day), and Jo would wave to him & nod that she was going to sit on his lap..... yeah right!

Waiting to see Santa - everyone is so happy & excited!!! I had my camera on the wrong setting & was so mad at myself. Still had to show this picture because of Jo's big ole smile!!!

Christmas Parties

Friday, Saturday & Sunday were full of parties for us! We started off with Anna & Rosie's school parties. Tammy & I are the room mothers, and we hit a home run this year with making Gingerbread houses.

Rosie's party - she was playing a game but it was all boys in her group! Doesn't look like they were concentrating too much on the game!

Saturday night, Pete & I went to the Lang (old high school friend) party. I have to say that I tend to be a homebody and usual miss this party. It's always a good night for me to wrap gifts, etc. but my sisters gave me so much trouble about not coming that I felt I had to go or ruin my reputation. Ha Ha! It was very fun, and Mary & Bob Lang ask for contributions to Marygrove. Basically, the party adopted five kids who are from abused homes. Mary is a teacher & her school includes Marygrove, so the kids are near & dear to her heart. If you live in Florissant, you know about Marygrove & my family (mostly my Mom & Dad) are huge helpers at Marygrove. It was fun to see everyone & be with my sisters & Pete!

Sunday was my 1st Annual Cookie Exchange with friends from St. MM. I had a whole bunch of fun drinks & food plus we exchanged cookies. We had a GREAT time sampling them! Thank you to all my new friends at St. MM. Pete & I have made some friends at this little school which will last a lifetime.

Christmas Program

Thursday night was the Christmas program at St. Mary Magdalen. We purchased front row seats at the Annual Auction, so we had a great view of the whole show. I did have to leave at one point with Josephine as she decided to scream out in the middle of the show. All part of being a mommy though - missing important parts of your other kid's show! Too funny!

Jo was screaming about being in this picture - she doesn't look too happy here but she loves getting her picture taken! Rosie got her hair straightened by our friend down the street. She loved it, but it sure made her look a lot older to me. Anna is always her smiley self!

Little Women

Another wonderful outing with my sisters & Mom on Saturday afternoon. We saw the musical, Little Women, at The Roberts Orpheum Theatre in St. Louis. It was soooooo good!!! Rosie, Caty, Alison, and Anna were awesome & really liked the musical. My sisters & I just love the book, and now the cousins can't wait to read it as well. I took pics on my camera phone because I ran out of the house without my camera. I hope to download them tomorrow & post them later. Thanks Mom for the tickets, a wonderful lunch & a great time! Thanks Mary & Joanie for a great time together as well. I always enjoy being with both of you.