Merry Christmas (rounds 2, 3 & 4)

ROUND 2- Nana & Papi's

Jonah less than thrilled about his car seat.

After we celebrated Christmas as a family at home it was time to head over to Nana & Papi's (Todd's parents), then to Teta & Gido's (my parents) homes and finally to the Migally's to visit with more family. We loaded up the kids and the presents and began our journeys around town. It's typically a really long day for us and the kids but thankfully we only have to do it once a year. By about the 3rd or 4th stop, I think I'm more pooped than the kids but we have to make everyone happy and so we make our rounds.

When we arrived to Nana & Papi's we exchanged gifts with Todd's parents, siblings and their spouses. It was a lot of fun and as tradition has it, each year a few gag gifts seem to make their way into the mix. This year we bought Todd's little brother, Scott, a 6 can belt holster (for beers of course). We thought that he would get great use out of it tailgating at the Bengals games. Scott really liked it and it seemed to fit him well. I assume that this item will get a lot of use during football season. Here's to hoping that the Bengals don't suck next year so they can actually go to the games and tailgate.



Scott showing off his tailgating skills.

Todd received a gag gift from his parents; the butt bank. When you put coins in the crack, it farts! Needless to say Papi had a handful of pennies on hand ready to demonstrate. We got quite a laugh out of it and now the butt bank proudly sits in the bathroom in the man cave (aka the basement).Why is it that men love potty humor?

Todd proudly displaying the butt bank.

One of Stella's favorite presents was the Toy Story collection book she received. Stella loves to read, a trait that I am very happy about and she also loves the movie Toy Story. We've watched all 3 Toy Story movies more times than I care to share. She even dressed up as Buzz Lightyear for Halloween one year.

Toy Story is cool.

ROUND 3- Teta & Gido's

Next we were off to Teta & Gido's house. On the way over, Stella says from the backseat "I sure hope Teta goes overboard this year." I find it hysterical that my 7 year old knows that her grandmother tends to buy way too many presents! It seems that Teta has set a precedent and of course Teta didn't disappoint and instead of a few meaningful presents as we had previously discussed she gave Toys R' Us a run for their money and spoiled the kids rotten! Let's just say that the entire trunk of our Tahoe was filled to the brim with presents. We were joking that we may need to upgrade to a suburban just to accommodate Teta's foolishness at Christmas.




Stella opening her personalized lap desk




Sophie and her reindeer pen.



This year before we opened presents we gave Stella and Sophie a little pep talk. We explained to them that if they tear through opening their presents like they've done in years past (because of their excitement) then they would be done opening in 5 minutes and wouldn't enjoy it and become bored while the rest of us opened our presents. They took our advice in stride and the first 3-5 presents they opened they took their time and even took turns opening. Well that didn't last very long because before you knew it there was paper everywhere and absolute chaos ensued. Well at least they tried and made a valiant effort. Right? We tried to keep their big gift until the end. They each received a Nintendo DS from Teta and Gido. Sophie as been wanting one for months and Stella's screen was broken on hers so she needed a new one. Of course when they opened it they both went nuts!



Jonah slept amidst the chaos.




Amazingly enough, Jonah somehow slept through the girls excitement and chaos. I am sure that this will be the ONLY year that he sleeps through opening presents. Thankfully the girls graciously volunteered to open Jonah's presents for him and even more chaos ensued. Jonah may have only been a tad over 3 months old at Christmas but  he got just as spoiled as Stella and Sophie. I haven't even begun to figure out where I am going to put all of the kids new stuff.

This is just Jonah's pile of loot!



The highlight of the day was Mike receiving one of his most favorite presents ever! Mike loves Iron Man and even has an Iron Man tattoo on his arm. Thus when he opened his Iron Man toy from Teta and Gido he was so ecstatic.  Yes Teta and Gido even buy toys for the big kids too!

Me likey Iron Man!

After all of the present were opened, all of the wrapping paper was picked up and the girls began to take inventory of all of their new gifts: here is what we found.... Yes that's both Todd and Mike passed out on the couch. Life is so rough, right? What I love the most is that Mike passed out with all of his presents still on his lap. It must have something to do with all of the wonderful food Teta prepared combined with all of the excitement and fatigue that comes from opening all of their gifts.



Rough life!



Later on in the evening Stella, Sarah and Sophie were all playing with their new electronic toys. Santa, in combination with Teta and Gido really spoiled the kids this year. Santa was especially crazy for getting the 2 crazies (aka Stella and Sophie) i-pods!

Techies!

Sophie showing off her new i-pod and earphones.

Finally, once Jonah woke up, I changed him into one of his many new "My First Christmas" outfits compliments of who else- TETA!

Of course the girls wanted in on the action too! I love how much they both adore Jonah. You would never know that Sophie is just his cousin. She loves him as if he was her own little brother. Jonah is one lucky little man, he has 2 wonderful sisters that will always watch over him and love him.

They just love and adore him!

Photo shoot time with Teta and Gido....

We love Teta and Gido!

We love our grandchildren!

Gido with his little buddy Jonah!

ROUND 4- The Migally's

Before the day was over we had to stop over to see my cousins that were in town for the holidays. Growing up we were so lucky to have so many cousins that lived close by. It was a ton of fun and we have memories that last a lifetime. However, now that all of us are grown and some of us are married we all don't live in the same city anymore. Between, New York, Chicago, Washington DC, Egypt and Dubai all of us have roots in different cities and its the holidays or celebrations (i.e. weddings) that bring us all back together. It was really nice to stop by and see everyone before everyone headed back to their homes.

Nada and Jonah!

Fred (aka Farida) and Jonah!

Christmas is such a wonderful time of year. We are blessed to have so many friends and family to share it with! Here's to many more holiday and more wonderful memories!