Happy New Year, everyone! Another Christmas has come and gone and it was a great one! Even though Christmas is always so busy, I can't complain because I feel so blessed to be able to have all of our families so close so that we can spend time with everyone, even it it is just for a little while. We bounce around for 3 days from one family gathering to the next but it is always great to be able to see everyone! Now that Anneliese is almost 3 (only a week and a half until the big day), she really gets Christmas and loves it almost as much as her mommy does, I think. It was so much fun watching all of the Christmas movies that I love with her and hearing her ask for them over and over again. I bet we watched Charlie Brown Christmas and The Grinch 20 times each at our house and for those that know me, I loved that! And, I think, she was almost as sad as I was while we were taking down the Christmas decorations. She kept saying, "Aww, mommy, where's the tree?" or "Aww, the Christmas lights aren't on anymore. Put them back on." She and I will have to count down together until next year.
Anyway, here's our Christmas '08 in pictures.
1st visit with Santa in Hallettsville (unfortunately, I failed to get pictures of our 2nd visit but she did very well then too).

Checking out the loot from St. Nick.

Hanging out with her best bud "Jackaboo" at their school Christmas program.

Christmas #1 at our house on Christmas Eve morning.


Christmas #2 with Brandon's family on Christmas Eve night. Can you say "trouble?"


Christmas #3 with mom and dad at their house Christmas morning.




Christmas #4 with the Noska side of the family on Christmas day. We don't have many pictures from this one (to my defense Brandon is in charge of pictures at this one). Sorry about the blurry pic.

And finally, Christmas #5 with the Henkes. I didn't take many pictures at this one either because we were all too busy playing games and having a good time! I managed one picture that wasn't blurry (what's up with that?).

Christmas #6 was with Mom-boo and Uncle Ronnie and Aunt Sharon but I failed to take any pictures. Oops.
Trying out a couple of new toys.


And, I'll leave you with a few family shots that a friend of ours took. He also took the pic for our Christmas card - he's very good!




May all of you have a happy and healthy 2009!
Love, The Noskas