Gabriel's First Christmas - 2011

Merry Christmas to all!  We couldn't have asked for a better Christmas.  It was wonderful spending time with family and spoiling the new additions.  Christmas Eve was spent at The Snyder's where we enjoyed a feast of roasted duck.  Grandma came over Christmas morning to open gifts with us.  Santa brought Gabriel a hand crafted Radio Flyer wagon (Santa provided the wagon, Dad and Uncle Al built the wooden slats, complete with Gabriel's name and the year).  Then we all headed to Grandma's house for more gift opening, board games, and another feast.  After dinner, we took the boys to look at Christmas lights in a local neighborhood.  The highlight for Gabriel was riding in the wagon.  He would stand up, holding on with one hand and just wave and wave with the other hand.  It was truly a joyous celebration of Jesus' birthday..

Matthew and Gabriel's first Christmas.

The are almost the same weight.  Gabriel is 7 months older.

Christmas morning.

Opening gifts at Grandma's house.



Baby Matthew and Tierney



The Snyders

My back started hurting so I hopped in.  Benjamin said "Caca out."



The boys look drunk.  =p



Happy Birthday Jesus!

Freeze Face

Grandma is feeding Gabriel ice chips while I'm driving around in New Smyrna Beach. 

Halloween! (a.k.a. - Day to Torture Your Baby)

We went to Auntie Melissa's and Uncle Edmund's house for Halloween.  Again, this is one of those times where the pictures speak for themselves.  We did get in a little trick or treating before the rain started.  Gabriel was dressed as Donkey, Benjamin as Puss N' Boots, and Matthew as Shrek.  Uncle Andrew was a Monster.  And some of the other kiddies in attendance were Batman, a Cars character, and a princess.  Uncle Edmund made us all chili.  Melissa made the desserts.  Gabriel screamed the whole way home. 

Wait for it.

Wait for it...

Wait....

And he's off!

We're cruel.

Where ya goin' Donkey?

After trick or treating, we again tried for a much more casual group shot in the nursery.  You can see how that went too...

Poor Matthew

Gabriel is trying to eat him. 

Halloween Celebration at the Library

Let's just say it wasn't Gabriel's favorite activity.  While I was working, Grandma was kind enough to take the baby to a Halloween Celebration with Benjamin and the rest of The Snyders.  I think the pictures say it all.

Benjamin's face is priceless....

Kissing Cousins getting intimate.  =P

Makin' Friends

Gabriel went shopping with Grandma. Obviously she is aware of the importance of socializing the baby at this age.

We Are Family

Aunt Susan was in town from Atlanta this past weekend.  It was a nice excuse to ignore the house work (what little is left after the hired help leaves =D.....) and get in some R & R.  And catching up, of course.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Who needs a tan? 

Melissa only has a couple more weeks to go!  Doesn't she look AWESOME?

Dinner at Our Deck Down Under

Some thing never change.

Wittle Gabriel is waving.

Happy Birthday Brother!

Hi Daddy!