Merry Christmas 2011!
Carter got a few big ticket items including a Melissa & Doug kitchen and
Little Tykes grill from Santa and a table and chairs set from Hattie and Poppy!
I was SO sick when I woke up on Christmas morning so after our yummy breakfast and opening a few presents I conked out until the evening :( It was definitely not how I wanted to spend my day but I’m glad we were together with family and C was still able to enjoy his presents and all their attention. My favorite gift this year was a video monitor and a new lens for my camera and favorite gift to give was the “Hattie’s Little Caddy” and “Poppy’s Little Putter” footprint art. Santa was very generous to us this year and I am so thankful for the time spent with family and all our many blessings!
Hattie and Her Boys!
After church on Saturday we headed back to my parents house for dinner and presents! The little boys were so adorable in their coordinating smocked outfits that we attempted a photo shoot of them. C wanted nothing to do with sitting on the table so baby Nathan got most of the attention but of course we didn’t stop until we got one of them together! Linc got to work building Carter’s kitchen and grill and a few other gifts were built. Usually we do family gifts on Christmas Eve but everyone was too tired so after opening jammies we all headed to sleep excited for Santa to come and see all our treasures!
We ended the night with some sweet snuggles and The Night Before Christmas!
We spent Christmas Eve day packing and getting ready to spend the weekend at my parent’s house. Since both of my sisters were staying there, Linc and I decided it would make more sense for us to crash too since otherwise we’d be driving back and forth for hours on end! Hattie bought Carter some new trains and he got to break in his new play mat and tracks before getting ready for church. We decided to try Johns Creek United Methodist this year and it was such a special service because Carter slept on my lap the whole time! Afterward we drove back to the family compound and prepared our delicious traditional Christmas Eve feast! More on that tomorrow :)
The mantle is full with our growing family!
For the second year in a row we joined the Gordon family for Chrismukkah! This year Hanukkah fell during the same week as Christmas so we went to their house to light the menorah and learn more about how their family celebrates this time of year. Last year we had a Mexican fiesta and this time around we had pizza! We already decided that next year will be Chinese ;) Shari led us in the blessings and the lighting of the Shamus before enjoying our food. The boys ate a little and then colored us some pretty pictures! Then we had even more playtime and exchanged gifts. This is such a fun family tradition and I’m glad our boys will grow up alongside each other, learning about other religions and sharing in the joy of the season. Thanks for hosting this year Gordons! Next year will be VERY different!
The Gordons- Spencer, Shari, Bill The Hamiltons- Lincoln, Carter, Kelly
Running off dessert!
My Aunt Cindy and Uncle Greg recently moved back to Georgia after a brief stint in Philadelphia. They lived here for eighteen years and were relocated for my uncle’s job. Thankfully they are back and settled in a neighborhood not too far away from us. In keeping with the holiday spirit they hosted a yummy dinner for all of us at their new house! Uncle Greg made his own Caesar salad dressing and Aunt Cindy made our favorite tortellini soup. Carter had fun playing with all of cousin Rob and Steve’s old trains and the rest of us relaxed and watched football. Baby Nathan stood for the first time that night too! Our goal of the night was to take as many pictures of the Trotta clan as possible because they tend not to get any family pictures. I think we succeeded and we will have a bunch for the family calendar next year ;)
The evenings leading up to Christmas were spent with family and friends and lots of delicious food!! We hosted a family dinner one of the nights and I cooked a Creamy Cajun Pasta dish that friend Krissy had introduced me to previously at her ornament exchange. It was even better than I had remembered and so much fun to prepare! Everyone gathered in our dining room and even the babies joined in on our meal. It was so nice to host my extended family and it was a great way to kick off a week of Christmas celebrations!
Luke 2:15-20 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
May peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through!
I love looking back at our past Christmas cards. I know I sent out a card the year we got married but can’t remember which website or account I used to create it. I can picture it in my head- multiple wedding pictures and something about toasting to the New Year…anyone have a copy?? Here’s a look at our past four years and a glimpse into how much our little family has changed over time! Tomorrow’s post has our current card but I didn’t want to spoil it by sharing today too. I hope everyone is having a great Christmas Eve and spending time with those you love. Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
Our second married Christmas- 2008
Pregnant with Baby Hami- 2009
Carter’s First Christmas- 2010
My little sister Alex just bought her first condo and the other weekend she hosted a cookie swap/ Housewarming Party! Everyone (ok, almost everyone) baked a dozen or so of their favorite cookies and got to fill a bag at the end with all sorts of delicious treats. Lincoln made the very last of “Carter’s Cookies” from the mason jars we had left over from the birthday party and thankfully they were still a hit! Our good friends the Harveys were there as well as my Aunt Cindy and some of Alex’s coworkers and friends. She has done a great job decorating and putting her new place together (I’m sure that’s in large part due to our mom hehehe) and it’s so neat to see her in her own place. Even though she’s my little sister and the baby of the family, I guess she really is growing up!
Carter, Hattie, Alex, me, and Aunt Cindy
Both Harvey sisters in law are pregnant and due in a few weeks!
Megan is having her first baby (a girl- Noah) and Robyn is having a boy (Reiss)!
Grace wanted to give C a hug goodbye but ended up strangling him a bit! hahaha
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