Christmas in Erie

What a great Christmas this year. It is just so fun to share it through the eyes of a new little one. :) Danika was more into the paper and boxes than she was most of the gifts at first. But once things came out of the boxes, she got right into it.

After returning from our Christmas celebrations in Ohio, we have had a different Christmas party almost every night here in Erie.

We got back on the 26th, and on the 27th we celebrated Christmas with Doug's Dad's side of the family. All the Bierer Christmas parties always involve....oh.....well let's call them "interesting" and "unique" Christmas gifts that have been personalized for each one of us. :) Grandpa never ceases to entertain. You can see Kristen and Dave showing off thier custom-made lawn ornaments. What fun! :)

Then the 28th was the "Andrews" side Christmas celebration at Grandma Berniece's. It was lots of fun to see all the little ones toddling everywhere. Last Christmas this side was unable to get together because out of the 6 cousins on this side, four were either pregnant or had JUST given birth. That means this year for Christmas, there were FOUR ONE YEAR OLDS running around. :) It was great! And Julie was having a blast, too. It was a little insane, but the best kind of insanity.

Last but not least, we had our own Christmas with Doug's parents and Kristen's family on New Year's day. It was just a great time to be together with family.

I confess, I'm probably the worst Aunt in the world....I find myself irresistably drawn to gifts that I would have loved as a child...and my mother would have hated. I always try to ask Kristen's permission before I give them...but even with permission, some gifts turn out to be a little more than any of us expect. That would be the case with the "make-up" gift I got for Julie this year. It was a special bag of make-up for little girls...and I think we were all under the false assumption that it would be more user friendly for children...you know....easy to wash off, light colored, etc. Well....not so much. My 4-year-old niece Julie LOVED her gift....and her mother LOVED scrubbing her face to get it off. I'm sorry Kristen...I really do love you!

Dana and Susan were in all thier glory with a whole pack of little red-headed grandaughters surrounding them. It was great just to be together.

Doug and his sister Kristen.

My shorty and her mama.

Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope it was a great season for everyone!