Christmas Part One of Two

Well, I've been trying to make an effort to not be on the computer as much and as you can see I've been succeeding, ha!  I want to still blog but I have been having a hard time fitting it in to my schedule.  So once again I am a couple weeks behind... oh well.  At the beginning of the month Dominic finally got his much anticipated puppy and all the kids love him of course.  I went over there to take pictures for Patty's Christmas cards and the kids just love playing with him.  He is a Boston terrier/pug mix and so rolly polly and cute! His name is Sanka.

Ricky was not as excited as I was to meet him :P

Here are some of the pictures I took for her... I think they turned out pretty nice, Dominic is getting to be so big!

I think this it the one she picked for her cards:

he just loves his puppy :)

Christmas eve we went over to Ricky's parents house for brunch in the morning and to have our Christmas celebration with them. Rochelle, Patty and Dexter's niece, was able to join us this year and it was nice to have her with us again.

Brunch has become a sort of tradition for us now.  Everything is so delicious so we decided to do it every year.  We have stuffed french toast, egg casserole, bacon wrapped sausages, fruit and dip, mocha punch, and other stuff that I'm forgetting now.  It's so good though... did I mention that it's good? It's really, really good :P

After we ate Rochelle read the Christmas story for us before gift opening.

Joanna really liked Rochelle.

Listening intently:

After the story we opened gifts.  The girls got some very cute dresses and Katy loved her new stuffed animals.

After gifts we went home to lay the girls down for naps and then I went back and played games with Patty and Dominic.  I love playing board and card games but no one ever plays with me so it's nice when I get the chance :)
The next day was Sunday and Christmas.  We opened presents in the morning and then went for a hike up at Blue Mountain.  It was cold but really nice.  I love going for that traditional Christmas day hike.  I think Ricky knows how much it means to me and is nice enough to put up with it :)
Joanna was actually in to walking this time so we let Katy ride in the stroller a little and give my back a break.

Like my new hat Ricky got me for Christmas?

Bribed her with gum for a nice picture :P

my sweet boy...

at the overlook, what a view!

I was disappointed I didn't get Katy's head in this pic, ah well

Joanna having fun riding on the way back:

I love that smile

Katy got worn out, I love this, ha!

here's a short video of Joanna opening her present in the morning.  We got her one of those dogs that bark and wag their tails and stuff.  She had really wanted one and her reaction is too funny.  If you are wondering about the dress, yes that is leopard print with pink trim, Ricky's mother was kind enough to give it to us for Christmas... it's going to be a play dress :)

Christmas part II is coming soon, I plomise :P