Four Christmases: Christmas #2

The Williams/Freeman, Davie/Gooch, Hamlin/Aldrich Christmas Party

For nearly 30 years we've continued on this tradition of having an annual Christmas party with all these families. Our families are growing at a rapid rate, it seems, but that doesn't stop us!

I loved it this year because Harper was really able to "join in on the party." Last year she was just a few weeks old. Look at this sweet little curly headed angel. I love her to pieces.

I love seeing all the kids together. It's crazy that Nicole, Jenna and myself all have babies of our own. They are growing up and pretty soon, will find out just how special this party really is. There's a lot of tradition and fellowship that comes along with this party.



So angelic, Audrey!

A tradition Nicole, Jenna and I started last year was getting the kids matching Christmas pj's and after we ate, and before presents, putting them in their pj's. I love this!

Harper and I had to get our annual "cheek to cheek" picture taken together! Love, love, love her!!

It was so sweet to capture this. Right behind Austin is Jenna's senior picture. Since Austin was holding him, Drake was right on eye level with the picture. He pointed to it, with the biggest smile on his face and said, "Mama!" Love this little guy!

Here is the kids in their pj's. I did a side by side comparison just to see how much they've grown since last year. It's amazing! I also love that last year, none of them were smiling. They looked like miniature Ebeneezer Scrooges! Little Harper wasn't even in the picture last year...she was too tiny!



2011

2010

The kids had so much fun playing together and I loved lining them up in their pj's and taking their picture. The next few pictures show the hilarious series of events between Drake and AB. Cracks. Me. Up.



AB has no idea what's coming to her!

Booty in the face!



She's so over it, now!



Their expressions here are PRICELESS!

Sweet kisses from Harper!

Baby booties!

We couldn't forget to take pictures with Mimi, Bebe and Nana!

And pictures with the Mommies!

Don't forget about Landree! Everyone had their hand on my belly, welcoming our newest member to the families!

There was no mistletoe, but the night ended with a kiss!

Don't take it personal, Drake. She wipes off every one's kisses!

Really, Drake. I promise. She does it with everyone, don't be so surprised!

Until next year...Merry Christmas to your family, from ALL of ours!

Four Christmases - Aldrich Family Style: Christmas #1

The Hamlin Family Christmas

Yes, we really did have a season of Four Christmases. No, not all in one day or weekend and not all nearly as dysfunctional as the movie, but we did have a month full of four different Christmas celebrations.

The first Christmas was with my Dad's side of the family: my cousins, aunt and grandmother. As a child, Christmas with this side of the family was the most memorable. Every Christmas morning after opening presents and seeing what Santa brought, we would head over to my cousin's house for Christmas day. My cousin and I would open our gifts and then spend the rest of the day in her room playing and comparing with what we got. So. Much. Fun.

I regret that Christmas day isn't spent with my cousins anymore. Since we're all married and our spouses have families, too, we now have to designate a Saturday to do our Christmas. I can't complain. I still feel like a kid when we're all together.

Unfortunately, my lazy, pregnant butt didn't move from the one spot where I was sitting and opening my gifts. So, the pictures are limited to what was in my line of vision...yes, most of that being my child.

This Christmas AB really got it down with the present opening. She was ready to rip into those gifts and see what was inside. I enjoyed her opening gifts more than myself opening this year, I think!

Carter - the oldest of the second cousins. He's a pro at this present opening thing!

My cousin, Amanda, got her, her very own baby bed. I was so pleased with it! She found it in Canton and her husband painted it for AB. I love, love, love it - I think it was a hit with AB, too!

We were dogsitting this weekend, and I couldn't resist putting Piper in it. She was just the right size!

Oh, every once and a while you get a smile out of Bubba! There's one...due to the really cool hat he's wearing (sarcasm!).

Love the pictures of sweet Stetson and Austin. They were buddies this year. I think it made Austin's day.

Yeah, by the end of this first Christmas celebration, we were all pretty worn out! Look out! There's much more to come!