Amber and Tony arrived Friday evening filling our house with cousins and fun! It really feels like Christmas is coming when they arrive. With them, come more visits from my siblings, cousins and Opa/Kathleen. After celebrating Nev's birthday on Friday, we had a great couple days with the kids. Saturday morning Amber, Nia, Jacoby, Nev and I joined Marcus and Davida for a little swimming. The kids loved it and I was happy the water was nice and warm!
Then
it was a couple days of non-stop action and fun... a dance
party, legos all over, kid play upstairs, sports on at all times, plus a
little 'Say Yes to the Dress', blogging going on, a few errands,
Opa coffee visits, cousin visits, wrestling, soccer in the hallway, kid movie nights, board game time,
video games, and so much more!
Everyone loves Opa :)
Ab show-offs and comparisons by Cade and Jacoby! And, brothers wrestling... mostly friendly and a little fierce!
All the kids got measured :)
Davida and Marcus visited a couple time which is always a treat!
Cade and Roman ready for some shooting practice with Chad
Finally, Christmas Eve arrived. And, as is our tradition, we spent Christmas Eve at Opa and Kathleen's house with the Konyn bunch. Each
year the family grows, with the two newbies this year being nearly
one-year-olds Tucker and Davida! We all met up at noon at Opa and
Kathleen's house, prepped and enjoyed our traditional light dinner,
headed off to 5 o'clock mass at Newman Center, made it back for some
dessert and then kicked off presents. The day seemed to fly by, but
there was also lots of time to enjoy one another. A favorite moment
of the evening was when about 30 of us were cheering for Tucker as he
practiced balancing on his own. He was so excited and proud of
himself! Cutest thing! I can't wait until we can do that for Davida
too :) It was fun to see all the cousins enjoy each other, to watch our kids enjoy their gifts and my family and to spend time with my family. I
love that we can spend all day on Christmas Eve together!
Got to have a family picture each Christmas Eve. Thanks, Amber!
And one of Amber's adorable family too!
I had to include one of Jacoby and Nia. So. Darn. Cute!!
We had a lot to be thankful for that Kathleen was okay after being in a scary accident in the early afternoon when she went out to run a few errands before dinner. Kathleen was turning into James and Jenn's house when a car passed her just as she was turning in. Two totaled cars but thankfully everyone was okay. So scary!
Love my hubby!
These girls are growing up and looking so pretty!
It was so much fun to enjoy Tucker! Such a cutie pie!
We all loved Jenn's yummy soup!
And other yummy treats!
Love these group shots!
Finally time for presents!!
Tucker and Davida were really the stars of the evening! So sweet and fun and adorable!
Nev loved her gift from her cousins in Nicaragua
Nev wasn't feeling great all evening (she's been sick) so there were some struggles followed by pure joy :)
It was great to see Mary too! With our busy families, we don't get to see them enough!
Fun to see these three continue to enjoy each other; whether it's Christmas, a soccer tournament or a trip to the mall, they are truly the best of friends.
These four are peas in a pod. Will looks up to Cade and Pascal and Jacoby looks up to them all!
Mariah, Jevon and Matt
Opa and Kathleen spoiled all the grandkids including Frances!
A favorite gift from Opa to Nev
Athena and Elle were once again in charge of making sure Opa didn't open gifts before it was his turn!
Tucker getting a fun ride from his daddy in the middle of the action!
Pascal gets taller and more handsome all the time :)
The guys in charge of distributing the gifts! They always have fun a little away from the action as they organize the gifts...and I think making fun of us Konyns!
Uncle James being great with the kids as always
A favorite gift of Davids!
Fun pictures of Roman with just some of his sisters!
And, finally, the fun craziness of Christmas Eve at the Konyn's!
