Brie's First Christmas

Hi, everybody! Brie here...and it's my first Christmas! I got all dressed up to celebrate! Like my dress?

And my tights? I look like one of Santa's elves!

But let's back up a bit...my holiday season started a few weeks ago...

Mom and Dad got me and Sammy all dressed up for a photo shoot (or two or three)! Sammy cracks me up sometimes!

But he's a very good big brother...

Do you like my outfit? I might be a Rockette one day!

Now back to Christmas morning...but first there was Christmas Eve! I donned my pink rocker girl shirt and dark denim, so I could go enjoy time with family and good friends.

First stop: meeting brand-new Baby Luca!! He's Rhys' younger brother and I could not wait to meet him. Isn't he a cutie? AND he's wearing Sammy's "First Christmas" outfit...can you believe my big brother was ever that small?

Here we all are...in less than 2.5 years, there are FOUR kids!!!!!!

Then we headed to Annapolis where I met Aunt Anna for the first time!

And Cousin Candice!

Look! I found my hair twin: Cousin Ralph!

I loved Candice and, in no time, I was fast asleep in her arms. That NEVER happens!

Now back to today! We celebrated in Springfield with all of our family...here are my big brother Sammy, Aunt Cheryl and Uncle David!

This was the first time I met Uncle David...and whaddya know?! We hit it off!

I also got to see Gammy and Auntie B!

We had a very big crowd at Nonno and Nonna's house: 13 adults and 2 kids!

After lunch, I played with Nonno...

and Granddaddy Rob!

Then we opened gifts!! Sammy and I got lots of great presents!

Holiday bibs = holiday fun!

And so does Aunt Diane! Truly happy holidays!!

P.S. There are many little things this holiday season that have brightened our days. Here are a few:

1. This beautiful cookie that our neighbor Eleanore made for us. (It came with an entire plate of her delectable baked things.) This particular cookie was made with a metal cookie mold that her mother brought over from Germany in 1925. Isn't it pretty??

2. Durham is a great place to live, but one thing makes it especially nice: the kind people you meet. We received many holiday photo cards from friends and family this year, but this one from Sammy's swim teachers at the Durham YMCA was unexpected and especially thoughtful!

3. Matching reindeer jammies! Need we say more?

4. And sibling love...