Christmas Connolley Style

Ahhhh, Christmas.  The holidays are always filled with hustle and bustle, too many places to be in too short of time and more turkey dinners than you can shake a stick at... but each crazy second is worth it.  This year we woke at our own house to find Santa had been here.  Sam's mind was blown that he "dranka da milk"!  He has brought the magic back to Christmas and I know each year will be more and more enjoyable.  I just love the look on his face.
We opened gifts and loaded up to head to Central Alberta.  Our first stop was at my Mom's house for family, stockings and gifts.  We went out to Shaun's parents' place to a beautiful turkey dinner and to sleep for the night.  In the morning we got back on the road to head out to Kane Acres, my family Boxing Day tradition.  The usual chaos included tons of tinsel, mountains of presents, Gift of Giving, huge turkey dinner, Christmas charlie horses and so much more.  Lots of laughs.  It's always good for my soul to see my extended family... everyone in good health, my cousins grown into amazing adults, the Grandparents full of life and laughter... my favorite tradition.  We drove back to the Connolley's for another night's sleep so that we could wake up there to celebrate with them for a day.  We waited for Kaili to arrive and then went out tobogganing, quick visit from my parents and brother, then gifts and supper with the Connolley family.  
We are blessed with a bunch of truly good people in our families.  With every year I realize how lucky we are to have these people in our lives and no matter how much time passes between visits I know they still love us and will be people that I'm proud to be associated with.  Christmas is time for family... from our quiet livingroom with just the three of us to the craziness of the Kane Christmas and all other gatherings in between... love love love this time of year.

A very excited little Sam!

Stocking... chocolate pez... might have been more for Mom than Sam...

Super handsome sweater Daddy picked out!

Unwrapping gifts is HARD work!

New wooded marble maze set... good idea.  Having Mom help set it up... bad idea.  Luckily this photo does not demonstrate the amount of rage I was filled with trying to make it with a very 'helpful' two year old.

Very proud maze builder.  "We did it!"

In Rimbey we gave baby Serry her Christmas gift... her very first Cabbage Patch.  Love at first sight!

Christmas Cousins.

"That's a big big one"

Best seat in the house.

One of the many many ways the antlers and nose were wore.  He's a real performer!

Brie's fam at Gramma's house.

Kiddos hard at play with Charlie's cars.

My Mom and Trev's kids/grandkids.
Don't worry, I asked Shaun if he secretly hated my family but he reassured me that he was just caught between smiles!!!

Boys riding their tractors

Sam with his Granny and Big Bob... we love you!

SLEDDING!!!  None of my photos capture how steep and huge this hill is.  It's the first year Sam successfully rode down. Unfortunately we didn't go too many times because the quad broke and it's a LONG walk up!

Country boy

Here we go!

Sam was so happy to have a day playing with cousin Kaili.  Two peas in a pod!

Love.

Sam resting before our drive home on the pillow Kaili sewed for him.

A million new and wonderful Christmas memories.  Makes me excited to do it all again, but I think I'm good to wait a year!