Christmas with the Paci's!

The Paci cousins...FINALLY all together!!!

So, our biggest Christmas surprise was that Tio's sister, Christy, traveled home from Florida! We weren't expecting to see her for the holidays, but they made the 15 hour trip and arrived in Centerville at 5am on Christmas Eve. We were SO excited to see her, that we decided to drive to Centerville one day early, too! Having everyone together was so special! The kids LOVE seeing their cousins Ella & Ibby, along with their big cousins Ali, Haley, and David. I am so glad when they have the opportunity to spend time together, I know they will always look back and remember how much FUN they had when they were with their cousins!Claire & David hula hoop obstacle course!

Ready for PRESENTS!

The whole crew with Grandma & Grandpap!

Haley & Ella

Trying to sled ride in the tiny bit of snow that fell in Centerville!

Christmas Eve!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas (aside from the fact that we don't have any snow!) What we DO have is a turkey dinner, lots of holiday treats, and presents...YES presents!

The Paci's are all decked out for Christmas Eve! First, 5:00 mass where Emma was chosen to carry the baby Jesus up to the alter...quite an honor! After we got home, it's on to opening the annual "new pj's" present.

And since tomorrow is such a big day, the plan is to go to bed EARLY...wouldn't want to disrupt Santa's visit by being awake too late!

HO HO HO! Merry Christmas, Paci Punks!!!

Christmas with the Carlson's!

Spending Christmas together can be difficult for my family since we all live so far apart, so this year we decided to meet Stacy half-way in Ohio to celebrate. Mom & Dad made the 9 hour trip to be there too, so we were all together for the first time in a while!

The weather was a little iffy...lake effect snow had dumped over 2 feet at the resort the previous week, and another big storm was expected, but we all made it safely to Punderson Manor Lodge. The kids were thrilled to have snow to play with, and the lodge had a sled riding hill that was VERY fast and fun!

The kids had plenty to do...when they weren't sledding, they were swimming in the pool at the lodge. But best of all, they could just hang out together. It makes me so happy to see my kids play with their cousins. Even though they only see each other twice a year, they love to be together so much! Joey idolizes his big cousins Nick & Drew, and Claire & Ethan were joined at the hip all weekend.

The lodge was the perfect location for a cozy winter get away; it was filled with fireplaces, turrets, nooks & crannies to escape to to play a game or read a book. It was the perfect place to gather and be together! I know the kids will cherish the memories we made for years to come!

Over 2 feet of snow!

Emma & Drew lounging by the fire.

Stacy & Nick

Granny & Pappy got an iPod for Christmas!

The Crazy Carlson Cousins!!!

Finding the PERFECT Christmas Tree...

The annual hunt begins...how will we find the perfect tree!?!

Is this one the perfect one!?!

YES!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Celebrating Thanksgiving at Grandma & Grandpap's house!

Spending time with our family & enjoying an amazing feast!!!

We have so much to be thankful for!!!!

Zip-Line!

Check out these crazy cousins!

They have just discovered that Aunt Dina has a zip-line...yes!...a REAL zip-line in her backyard!

Who better to introduce our kids to the joys of a zip-line than cousin David?!? Giggles....smiles...shrieks of delight...it was not possible for three kids to have more fun!

This was the highlight of our last visit to Centerville....how did it escape our attention that Aunt Dina had such a gem hidden in her backyard?

After hours of entertainment, I was able to drag them away from the zip-line. And I know that all three of them are hatching a plan of how we could recreate this little bit of Centerville back home in Greencastle!

Greencastle Christmas Parade

Aren't these the cutest little penguins you've ever seen! Emma's Brownie troop participated in the Christmas parade, and of course, that means Claire gets to participate, too! What a great way to put us in the spirit of the holiday season!