Christmas at our house (and with my mom)

Do you remember, as a kid, the excitement leading up to Christmas? The lights on the houses, seeing your breath in the cold air and going to pick the perfect Christmas tree, the fresh pine smell filling the house? And how about the fun of watching your father (or husband in my case) struggle with the tree stand to get the tree at the perfect angle? Well, we don't have any of that. Nope. We have a fake tree. Although I must admit it's beautiful - 9 feet and pre-lit (yes, the pre-lit part is great) and I can't tell you how many people actually have to touch it to realize it's not real - it's just not the same without the smell of fresh sap in the house.

Here are the boys putting the tree together, literally:




Opening presents from Jan, my cousin out in Massachusetts. Every year she sends a Patriots jersey (or shirt in this case). The kids love them.






One of Brian's gifts from Santa - a gaming chair, with speakers.


Brandon got his ski lift tickets - pretty much the only thing he really wanted this year.


And Brian's only request this year - an XBOX 360 - this one came from mom and dad and grandma and grandpa.



Grandma realized after the picture was taken that she didn't have "her face" on. Who cares, right? And I want to take this opportunity to fill everyone in (so many of you ask) and let you know that she's doing great. She's in a remission and her once-a-month chemo treatment is keeping her going. Given her initial prognosis, we couldn't have asked for anything more.



Grandpa never knows what to expect from us.