It's about time for a Christmas post!

Yes, I know I'm late, but I'm sure you expected blog-tardiness by now. But now that I'm officially an adult and in my 30's, I will try to be more consistent with these. Scout's honor! Anyways, a lot to cover in this blog with Christmas and Kami's fourth birthday, so on with it!

Christmas was good to us this year. We spent Christmas Eve with my family and I made clam chowder. It's our tradition (along with crab on New Year's Eve), and I've tried to keep true to those, even with my mom being gone. The clam chowder might be different (heck, it might be different every year), but we still get together and break bread (sourdough) and enjoy our growing family. We then spent the night at my dad's house and had our traditional Christmas morning breakfast of Dutch oven surprise (thanks to my dad, the early riser) and monkey bread. After opening presents and cleaning up, we played a little Kinect Sports (where Garrett TKO'd me in boxing) and ate a fantastic roast, courtesy of Nick and his smoker. Our family of four did our own Christmas day on the 26th where Santa brought Kami a bike and Brooklyn and zebra ride-on thing, because Santa couldn't think of what Brooklyn wanted for Christmas. Plus, she screamed when she sat on his lap, so he might not have gotten any good ideas. We then had Kami's birthday a few days later and went to Chuck E Cheese and let her play whatever game she wanted to, then off to my dad's house for pizza and a Spongebob ice cream cake.

The holidays were nice and peaceful and we all got to enjoy some time off. It was a time of reflection and thanksgiving (even if it's a month late) for us. We are grateful for our family and friends who bring joy to our hearts. We are grateful for our two beautiful girls, who make us smile (and sometimes grimace). We are grateful for each other and even though we've been together over a decade, we still love each other and make each other laugh, even if it's in the stupid things (Garrett...). Although I sometimes lose sight of these when life gets hectic and work bogs me down, it's always nice to have these in the back of my mind and for me to realize that I've got it pretty good and have been blessed with so much. We hope that the holidays were a blessing to you and yours and here's to 2011!

Not really sure what to do with this...

Aren't they cute?

Jonah checking everything out.

The story behind the popcorn popper (which is actually Jonah's gift): last year, Nick and Patsy got Kami a Snow White cleaning set, and the broom plays an awful, annoying song. Brooklyn has now found that button, and we hear that song a million times a day. Yes, we could take the batteries out, but that requires effort. So this year was payback, and we knew the of the perfect toy. I hope that this popcorn popper bring years of noise to Nick and Patsy's ears. And that, my friends, is the true meaning of Christmas.

Kami was pretty excited about her new unicorn pillow pet!

Being oh so gentle.

Brooklyn needed Grandpa's help with this one. She's such a Grandpa's girl, and Grandpa loves it!

Reading her new colors book.

Jonah did a fantastic job opening presents!

Opening some new puzzles from Grandpa.

Uncle Nick enjoys using duct tape. Luckily, Kami was available to help.

She also wanted to help Uncle Nick.

I love how Brooklyn has wormed her way into Aunt Patsy's lap and Jonah's trying to keep her away from his toy.

Grandpa helping Kami with one of her new puzzles.

Grandpa should have been a professional.

Hanging out in the TV cabinet.

Kami modeling her new backpack and hairstyle. Hair compliments of Grandpa.

Quite the haul this year.

I was trying to get a picture of these two in front of their Santa gifts, but Brooklyn obviously wasn't playing.

Brooklyn really wasn't interested in opening her presents, but Kami was happy to help. Kami opened every single present this year. Probably not going to get away with that after this.

What do you have in there?

Checking out her new pillow pet.

This $2 lizard stole the show this year (except for the bike). Even Brooklyn tried stealing it a few times. We should have just gotten ten of those things.

Pretty happy about her princess art set from Grandma and Papa. We've hauled this thing around with us quite a bit and Kami will sit there and draw or paint for about an hour. It's fantastic!

Helping mama.

Making a break for the candy!

She's got the chocolate, and she's outta here!

Opening their Santa gifts.

Proud owner of a new bike!

I think she keeps waiting for this thing to move on its own.

Brooklyn trying to adjust her sister's training wheels.

Tons of fun with her Polly Pockets.

Our budding artist.

Having fun in her new swing, which we've actually had for about two years now, but finally put up.

Goofy girl.

And this is why we call her our monster baby. Love the bed head!

Kami the "famingo" and dada the "memo fish."

Brooklyn trying to feed dada's hat.

Brooklyn enjoying some birthday pizza and breadsticks.

She's really focusing on something.

Taking her aggression out on sharks.

Driving her car.

Not so happy about this ride.

On her race horse.

Dada and Kami dancing like crazy!

Still a little short for some of the games, but she sure did try.

Quite the birthday stash!

Pretty excited about her birthday shoes! Mom was pretty excited that they were $0.86 at Target!

Kami calling her pumas under the Christmas tree.

Goggles in the bathtub seems like an obvious choice.

This kid loves chocolate!

Kami got a necklace that had magnets on it. She was pretty excited about it!

Brooklyn blowing on her eggs to cool them down.

Mmm...cupcake...

She was really excited to have her hair curled.

Brooklyn coloring with Grandpa.

Apparently turning four is exhausting.

The birthday girl all decked out in party gear.

The birthday girl and her birthday pizza.

Doesn't he look cute in the hat?

Jonah really liked the Barbie scooter.

Pretty excited about her Spongebob ice cream cake.

Kami putting the candles in her cake.