Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Santa's Fourth and Final Stop

We left Maryland on Saturday morning and had a nice drive all the way back to NC. Danny really is a pretty good little traveler.


We quickly stopped by our place to unload the car and decompress for a few minutes and then rallied for "Christmas Eve" #4 at my mom's condo. She had an excellent spread of food and drinks per usual and it was just so great to see she, Ali, Colin, Jerry and Dieter again! After a much needed night in our own beds, we had our final "Christmas day" on Sunday with another round of fun gift-giving and delicious eats. We even took a short intermission to hit up an oyster roast at the North End pier! Unfortunately, Danny's cold and teething was at an all time worst, but at least he had his Nana and Auntie Ali to make him feel better!

Future Mr. and Mrs. G
Forgetting about his molars for a min :)
Nana reading to the sickie 
Jerry and Mom (and mom's chin boo boo)
Doing the crab
So helpful
Modeling his new shirt from Ali and Dieter
Morning mimosas - I'm tired, not drunk ;)
Looking sick in Daddy's Skins hat 
Could be sisters
New shoes!
Nana and Danny as matching hipsters
Pier Oyster Roast
So unbelievably thankful for our families and how much time and effort all our parents put into making Christmas so special for us. Christmas 2013, all four of them, were so wonderful! Here comes 2014 - Happy New Year!

Now what to do with all these new toys?!?!?


Santa's Third Stop

Sorry for the delay - I'm still recuperating from all the celebrating! So "Santa's Third Stop" was Riva, MD to see Grandma Martha and Grandpa Ron. We got there Tuesday, Dec. 24th in the evening and all got a good nights rest so we could wake up Wednesday morning and open presents! And then Wednesday night we went over to Ron's sister, Rita's house for a wonderful family dinner. Thursday we went to Lewnes' Steakhouse in Annapolis and Friday was the annual Shouse family get together at Martha and Ron's house. Other than the slight damper of a cold/cough and two molars making their debut for Danny, it was such a fun-filled visit! As always, thank you Martha and Ron for showering us with so much love!

Totally "gets" opening presents
Happy boy
Helping Ron with his putt
The ole smell my feet game...
...always entertaining.
Peek-a-boo through his new tunnel
First basket
Ron's niece and nephew entertaining Danny at Rita's 
Not feeling so well :(
Lewnes' meal BEFORE
Lewnes' meal AFTER
The Colliers
Goofing around with his great grandma
With cousin Amy and her future hubby
Ron and his beautiful and sweet daughter, Erin

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Santa's Second Stop

We arrived in Woodbine, MD at Dan & Marisol's on Sunday evening for our second Christmas. Kelly, Spencer, Connor, Joey and Will were there too which was so fun for all of us. Monday night we had the extended family celebration with grab bag game - this year the theme was crazy socks - and then Tuesday did Christmas morning with just the family. We were all spoiled beyond belief. Danny got some really great stuff! Marisol was a wonderful host per usual. Other than missing Kevin and Stef, it was a fabulous second Christmas!

Poppa and Lita have lots of old toys for their boys
Loves him some stairs
iPhones, iPhones, everywhere
Joey entertaining the boys
Connor with his dad's Fantasy Football trophy! Great job Spencer!
Handsome/beautiful siblings
Future Mrs. Jenn O'Connor, Kelly & Kelsey 
Katie & Camden (8 mo), Kaylie & Danny (19 mo), Kelly & Connor (27 mo)
Sweet Camden
Opening a present from Jamie and Jen 
Squeaky clean boys on Xmas Eve
Loves to cheese it up
Jenn in Wonder Woman socks
Sporting his first pair of big boy underwear
iPad!