OH XMAS TREE OH XMAS TREE

I don't know why we don't have picks of us decorating the tree but here are some pics of the final product. We call this our Hanumas bush. It's all blue and silver for 2 reasons. It's a xmas tree that also celebrates hanukah and it's also our Penn State tree. Here is Braxton visiting Brian and Sally Spiwak (our next door neighbors)

TERRI AND GLEN VISITED

Cousin Terri and her new hunka hunka came to visit. We really like Glen. He showed us how to set up the Nintendo Wii and we played for awhile after eating dinner. I guess you can all guess that Loupa, AKA Coach, played baseball and loved it!

DEMARCOs REUNION

Nona and Loupa had us over with the DeMarco family. We used to live a few houses down the street from the DeMarcos. They are like family to us. Joanne and Phillip, Jeannie and Mark, and Janis were there. We missed Lia and Ben and hope to see them soon. We ate a ton and caught up. We ended up staying so late that we slept over even though Nona and Loupa live a mile and a half away. Braxton slept in his nursery there and in the morning he came into bed with us and played with "VICK HARRY" - Uncle Louie's old Cabbage Patch Doll. Mommy and Daddy used Vick Harry at their parenting and breastfeeding classes when Mommy was still pregnant. I don't believe we still have that doll.

VISITING DADDY AT WORK

Mommy and Braxton decided to visit Daddy at work today. Braxton surprised daddy as he crawled into his office. He played with Pat and Scott and visited all the other attorneys with Daddy. Then, Brax and mommy decided to take a nap in Daddy's office because it was raining too hard to leave.

XMAS DINNER

It was XMAS as usual at the Lombardo House. Tons of people, tons of food, lots of noise, lots of fun. Santa came back for an encore appearance at dinner and surprised everyone. Gigi, Poppop, Jen, Uncle Mark, Aunt Holly, Uncle Dave, Maureen, Baba and Poppy, Donna and Don were all there too. We all brought gifts for the troops (Loupa is putting together a big package). Nona outdid herself again with her famous Chicken and Wine, Filet, Wild rice, Super bad for you mashed potatoes, Asparagus and the most amazing dessert spread you've ever seen. YUM YUM! Braxton got even more goodies from the family....a PSU football piggy bank, a talking grinch, some Dr. Suess Books, some cool Polo clothes, and some loot to put in the football bank. Braxton wants to thank all of you very much for being so generous!

XMAS MORNING

What a treat. We went to Nona and Loupa's house early (before the party) to open presents with Aunt Jenelle and Uncle Louie. We were all waiting for Uncle Louie to "get off the computer" (so we thought). He was secretly upstairs transforming into Santa. He came downstairs and surprised Brax with a giant Elmo doll. Braxton had so much fun opening up all sorts of goodies - books, baseball bat and ball, a Diego tent, a backpack/seat, a Dora blanket, a lounger, and the list goes on and on. Braxton loved seeing Santa again.

A XMAS EVE TO REMEMBER FOREVER

Wow! What a night! Nona and Loupa came over for dinner and presents. We had chicken parm, tortellini, zuccini and garlic bread. YUM (apple pie for dessert). After dinner, Braxton opened his presents from Santa. Mommy made Brax a special Taggie blanket that he LOVES. And Nona made Brax a VERY SPECIAL stocking. She crossed stitched the entire thing and even hung special charms on it. Brax also got a toy keyboard, a ball popping thing, a walker/rider, some shoes, Elmo slippers, Hat and Gloves, some books and MORE. Then, just as we were cleaning up the wrapping paper, Mommy and Loupa saw a fire truck out front. MUCH TO OUR SURPRISE....Santa was riding on top of the fire truck visiting all of the neighborhood kiddies. We all ran outside to see him. It turns out that Loupa personally knew this particular Santa (voluteer fireman). He was so nice to get off the truck and stay for awhile. Braxton loved it. Brax played for a little bit and then went to sleep. Loupa read Brax some funny stories! Bruce Schmidt came to visit too and we watched a Christmas Story and Bad Santa. Now we're getting ready for tomorrow.