Christmas Eve w/ the Thomas Family

Christmas is special around here. It always conjures up many deeply cherished memories. For us, Christmas is a time to enjoy, and sometimes reconnect with family we haven't seen in quite a while. Some close by, some far flung, but all of whom we've spent far too little time just enjoying each others' company. This year was good. The Thomas family arrived en masse in the KC area with 12 kids. As usual, we spent Christmas Eve in Kearney and all 21 of us attended the 5:00 Christmas Mass before opening presents.

Noah fell asleep in the car on the way to church.............if only he'd have stayed asleep for the Mass.....

Noah enjoyed the singing and when it got quiet during prayer time, he did his part in livening things up again by breaking out in song - "I'm the map! I'm the map! I'm the MAAAPP!" Some of you will recognize that from Dora the Explorer. Skittles seemed to help entertain him for a few minutes, until he started asking for "keendy" over and over again when he wasn't getting them fast enough: "more candy, More Candy, MORE CANDY!!!" - Apparently he thought the louder he said it, the faster it would come, but instead it got him a trip to the back of the church where he played out his sugar high by laughing hysterically at nothing. The priest noted that, judging by the sound of some of the audience, that there were several future members of the choir in the audience this evening.

The house was small, but filled with love, as all 21 of us piled in to eat dinner (in shifts), and open presents. Noah enjoyed seeing his cousins and was wired from start to finish. We left late, and he stayed awake almost until 10:30.

Zeke & Lulu
The first shift eating dinner

Opening some presents
More present time
Noah kicking bubbles