Christmas!

Hope everyone's holidays were as fun as ours was! Although this was technically the girls' third Christmas, this was the first year that they really got to experience the holiday. They were very excited about Santa Claus and all their presents. We walked the girls down Christmas morning, right to their presents, skipping breakfast. They loved their stockings stuffed with goodies, and all the presents that were now around the tree waiting to be opened. As one might imagine, the girls really cleaned up and scored big time this Christmas. They've been playing with all their new toys non-stop! It was really fun for Kris and I to experience Christmas with the girls like this, and we can't wait to do it all over again next year!

Stepping back a day... on Christmas Eve, it has been a Marino family tradition for many many many years to get everyone together for lots of food and fun. We headed to Grammy and Papa's house first for a little bit, before heading over to Auntie Ellie and Uncle Larry's place for the big party. Every year, one of Kris' cousins dresses up as Santa and gives out presents to all the kids that go. Last year was nice, but this year the girls are older and know what's going on, so we couldn't wait for Santa. All in all, it went great, and Karina especially was very thrilled to see Santa. The girls enjoyed their gifts, and had a great time playing with all the other kids.

The next day, on Christmas, we of course went through the gift opening as described above, but after that we fed the girls some breakfast and then headed over to Grammy and Papa's to spend the day with them. Uncle Dave and Auntie Leah were there during for a few hours as well, before having to leave to spend some time with Leah's family. The girls got to open even more presents, and had lots of fun playing with their various new toys there. It was a long day for the girls, as they went without a nap, but they did great!

Later that night, after we got home from Grammy and Papa's, my brother arrived. He drove up from NY. He had flown in from CA earlier in the week. We hadn't seen Niral since August since he lives out west. Niral was with us from that night all the way til this morning. It was really great seeing him and hanging out with him for the whole weekend. Saturday morning, we opened all the gifts that he and Auntie Liz brought for the girls. The girls had a great time with Uncle Niral. Unfortunately, Auntie Liz couldn't come to visit (she was with her family) and neither could Dada (he had to work). Dada, of course, did send over gifts with Uncle Niral. We missed both of them...


Well, that's about it for now. It was a long but fantastic four days of fun and excitement. It went by all too fast, but that's how it goes when you're having fun. Have a great new year everyone, and catch you in 2010!

[Week 108 Photos]
[Christmas Eve Photos]
[Christmas Day Photos]