Our first Christmas celebration was on December 19 with the Kinstetter family in Casco. Santa came and Alena recognized him, but she didn't want to sit on his lap. He did give her a cute little gift and she was eager to open it up. She got het own little princess cell phone and has been chit chatting on it ever since. It was so nice to get to see all of the family. We only see that side of the family about twice a year. It seems like each time we get together, there is a new member in the family. Sometimes it's a new boyfriend/girlfriend, and sometimes it's a new baby!
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Alena's godparents, Greg and Angie Hudy, sent her a sweet Christmas gift. I let her open it when it arrived. After ripping open the paper, she found a colorful book and immediately started "reading" it. One of her new favorites now!
Alena's godparents, Greg and Angie Hudy, sent her a sweet Christmas gift. I let her open it when it arrived. After ripping open the paper, she found a colorful book and immediately started "reading" it. One of her new favorites now!.
On Christmas Eve morning, we had our own little family Christmas. Alena woke up to find a large object near the Christmas tree, covered in blue paper. It took her less than a minute to open it and check out her new trike! She knew what to do with it, and figured out the built-in bell. She was tooling around the kitchen and living rooms all morning. She also opened up her other gift of a new fleece blanket that I (Apryl) made for her. She cozied up in it right away and even brought it along for a ride on her trike. We can't wait for spring and the opportunity for her to cruise around the neighborhood!
On Christmas Eve morning, we had our own little family Christmas. Alena woke up to find a large object near the Christmas tree, covered in blue paper. It took her less than a minute to open it and check out her new trike! She knew what to do with it, and figured out the built-in bell. She was tooling around the kitchen and living rooms all morning. She also opened up her other gift of a new fleece blanket that I (Apryl) made for her. She cozied up in it right away and even brought it along for a ride on her trike. We can't wait for spring and the opportunity for her to cruise around the neighborhood!.
Later in the day on Christmas Eve, we packed up and went over to Eric's parents house. This was our first Christmas with the newest Cerkas, Benjamin who is less than a month old! Such a sweet little boy! We had a wonderful meal of steaks and all kinds of super yummy sides. Everyone (except for Angie and I) had some of my father in law's tasty, home made wine. Of course, we all opened up our gifts, too. Alena got a play kitchen! Daddy finished putting it together just last night and she was instantly wowed! She plays pretend and makes us food to try. We are so thankful for the gifts that other family members gave to us and Alena! We feel so blessed!
Later in the day on Christmas Eve, we packed up and went over to Eric's parents house. This was our first Christmas with the newest Cerkas, Benjamin who is less than a month old! Such a sweet little boy! We had a wonderful meal of steaks and all kinds of super yummy sides. Everyone (except for Angie and I) had some of my father in law's tasty, home made wine. Of course, we all opened up our gifts, too. Alena got a play kitchen! Daddy finished putting it together just last night and she was instantly wowed! She plays pretend and makes us food to try. We are so thankful for the gifts that other family members gave to us and Alena! We feel so blessed!.
The cute little girls wanted to share a rocking chair :) They play like sisters and love each other so much...
The cute little girls wanted to share a rocking chair :) They play like sisters and love each other so much....
unless Alena starts to pull Aubrey's hair! The girls got a chance to go "swimming" in the pool of wrapping paper that was left over from all of the gifts. I had trouble loading the video, so this photo will have to do, at least for now! Like I said, they act like sisters in a cool way. Cozy cousins!
unless Alena starts to pull Aubrey's hair! The girls got a chance to go "swimming" in the pool of wrapping paper that was left over from all of the gifts. I had trouble loading the video, so this photo will have to do, at least for now! Like I said, they act like sisters in a cool way. Cozy cousins!.
In the evening on Christmas Eve, we drove up to Tomahawk. Alena was SO tired from not getting a good nap that day and was exhausted from all of the excitement and playing with Aubrey, but she didn't fall asleep until we were in Wausau (3/4 of the way there). She even started crying when Grandma Hawkins said hello to her.
In the evening on Christmas Eve, we drove up to Tomahawk. Alena was SO tired from not getting a good nap that day and was exhausted from all of the excitement and playing with Aubrey, but she didn't fall asleep until we were in Wausau (3/4 of the way there). She even started crying when Grandma Hawkins said hello to her. It was all worth it, though, because we were able to have a more relaxed Christmas Day! We didn't buy gifts for each other with the exception of a few gifts that Grandma bought for each of us. Grandma helped her to open up a gift of wooden instruments. Music is a big thing in my family, so we all try to encourage any musical talent that is in the genes. She likes to play with anything that makes noise, so it was a pretty cool gift for her!
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Her Grandpa Hawkins loves her so much and is so cute with her! It is still amusing to see such a big guy be melted by such a little girl! Here, he is helping Alena to open a gift that was for her baby brother.
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After going to church on Christmas morning, we prepared food and headed to Rhinelander for the DeNamur family Christmas. This gathering is pretty meaningful for me since it is the one gathering that I've been going to since I was a child. My parents divorced when I was in 6th grade or so, meaning that each Christmas thereafter was split. It was tough with parents fighting over time with my sisters and I, but I always fought to be able to go to the DeNamur Christmas. I hope that we are able to continue this tradition for my children!
After going to church on Christmas morning, we prepared food and headed to Rhinelander for the DeNamur family Christmas. This gathering is pretty meaningful for me since it is the one gathering that I've been going to since I was a child. My parents divorced when I was in 6th grade or so, meaning that each Christmas thereafter was split. It was tough with parents fighting over time with my sisters and I, but I always fought to be able to go to the DeNamur Christmas. I hope that we are able to continue this tradition for my children!Alena had a great time wandering around Uncle Steve & Aunt Mary's home. There was someone in pretty much every room that was open to her, so everyone helped to keep an eye on her. At one point, I found her sitting at the piano with my cousin (and god daughter) Olivia. So cute!!
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We're opening gifts here, and someone captured Alena's goofyness. She looked so adorable in her Christmas dress and pretty hairdo (courtesy of Auntie Avery).
We're opening gifts here, and someone captured Alena's goofyness. She looked so adorable in her Christmas dress and pretty hairdo (courtesy of Auntie Avery). .
The day after Christmas, we went to Grandpa Cance's house (my dad). She opened up this gift from Grandpa to find a cute little stuffed puppy that she quickly named "Al." We have no idea how she came up with that name. We don't know how she named her baby doll "Bud," either!
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The day after Christmas, we went to Grandpa Cance's house (my dad). She opened up this gift from Grandpa to find a cute little stuffed puppy that she quickly named "Al." We have no idea how she came up with that name. We don't know how she named her baby doll "Bud," either!.
Auntie Ashley and Auntie Avery took her out into the snow and made their own miniature sledding hill. It was great for Alena, of course, because it was a "ride," and she loves all rides. The outdoor outing ended when Alena's boots came off (as is typical for toddlers). We drove home on Monday the 27th after our long weekend. We have been doing lots of laundry and organizing in our house since then. Tomorrow we leave for Wausau for Avery's New Year's Day wedding! We love the holidays and are happy for Davey and Avery! We are also truly looking forward to the new year and being able to spend time at home as a family before Micro arrives!
Playing with the walkie talkie was a past time while cooped up in the cabin. Daddy didn't like it so much when he was in the woods with his radio was on and she pressed "call." 
Our attempt at a Thanksgiving photo...
Post-Thanksgiving lunch nap.
