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!

Gobble Gobble

I think I'm finally starting to awake from my turkey/stuffing/vomit casserole/pecan pie coma.  I actually only took one nap today so I take that as a positive sign.  Yesterday included multiple.  And while I was totally against buying into the hype of Black Friday shopping, I must come clean and admit that I met Melissa at CVS...maybe not your typical BF destination but we found some great buys.  And I stopped at ACE Hardware, but only for a very special gift for Gabriel.

My family had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I hope yours did too.  Here are some photos.

They were playing pool.

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. 

Introducing...

My newest, most handsome nephew (under the age of 2), Matthew James Snyder...born October 15 somewhere between 9:20 and 9:30.  It's hard to say exactly because he was born in a Dodge parked outside of the hosptial.  9lbs and 3oz of loveable, kissable, beautiful baby.  I'm currently drafting plans on how I can get him away from his parents and bring him to my house.  Congrats to the Snyders.  For more on the Dodge birth, go here.

I think we're a match...

He could pass for my son...

Love these guys.  So happy.