A Very Brandi Christmas

Merry Christmas!

Christmas week started off a little rocky when Lainey got hit with an intense case of the stomach flu. She was super sick Monday afternoon into Tuesday morning, but then was back to sunshine and smiles. I had a mild case of it on Wednesday, and Mark had the same as me on Christmas day. Nick so far has remained unscathed. Unfortunately, we brought the joy to the extended Brandi family and Mark's brother, Matt, got hit Saturday morning and Amelia that night.  I've been afraid to check in to see if anyone else has been struck down. Talk about the seasoning of giving!

We took the kids for photos with Santa on Christmas Eve morning. I think Santa checked-out a little early this season--he didn't say one word to the kids and barely smiled for the photo. In fact, out of the five they took, he was frowning in three and not looking at the camera in another. His lack of cheer wasn't lost on the kiddos. Lainey played along (at the bribe of an ice cream), but Nick was like, "who is this joker and why do I have to pretend he's Santa?" 

Gee, Santa. Way to bring the Christmas Spirit--No milk and cookies for you!

But, other than a little vomit, and a curmudgeonly Santa, all was merry and bright this Christmas! It's always nice to have time with family and everyone remained healthy for Frank's famous Christmas Eve dinner of homemade manicotti and brigole, served alongside Lonnie's breaded chicken. I live for this meal every year! The kids loved being with their cousins and the adults enjoyed them being old enough to play without constant supervision. Look at these two little angels below...

Cousins

Christmas morning went by in a flurry of wrapping paper. Santa made good on Lainey's cupcake and cake request again this year, and the kids were good about sharing with everyone. Favorite gifts of the morning were a Barbie with her Unicorn for Lainey, and Hulk pajamas and fists for Nick. I thought for a minute we were going to have to take him to Christmas dinner at Rebecca's house in the PJs. Mark starting feeling the icks shortly after we opened presents, so spent much of the day in bed, but he did make it over to Rebecca's with the rest of us where we had a traditional Christmas dinner with all the trimmings and celebrated Amelia's 9th birthday and Oliver's 7th birthday.

Cupcakes for breakfast again...perhaps another tradition has been born.

SMASH!!!

And, just like that, it was Saturday and time to head back to Chicago. We have Christmas Round II this weekend with my family. Chris and Sean arrive on New Year's Eve, and Dad and Sharon come New Year's Day...as a newly married couple (they'll tie the knot on NYE)!!! So, there will be lots more celebrating to come this holiday season...