Christmas celebrations are laden with tradition.
We outgrow some traditions, like taking the kids to see
Santa and leaving milk and cookies for him on Christmas Eve.
Others evolve as the kids mature into adulthood.
But each year is unique in its own way.
1991 was our first Christmas with a child,
and it was very exciting for us after waiting so long for this!
1992 was Kerry's first Christmas!
She didn't know what was going on yet.
In 1993, Adam loved his Brio train set.
Kerry was just as happy with other things.
Grandma Alice gave the kids a box of Dress-Up clothes
in 1994, and they played with nothing else!
1995 was Annie's first Christmas. She was learning to walk
and fell into the coffee table, needing stitches above her eye!
Adam and Kerry continued their love affair with Disney movies.
1996 was Molly's first Christmas (the cat),
American Girl dolls,
and sweater vests for the boys!
1997 was very "red".
It was also the year the kids posed with Santa bellies.
The girls all wore red plaid on Christmas day.
In 1998, Annie brought her "list" to Santa.
Christmas Eve at Grandma's house.
These are faces of very excited kids coming downstairs
to see what Santa brought!
In 1999, Adam was a shepherd in the Christmas play at church.
Christmas Eve with the family.
Razor scooters were the highlight of 2000!
Our puppy "Jack" was added to the family in 2001.
Annie was the only one really interested in
leaving cookies for Santa.
Kerry was a huge UConn basketball fan.
I love this picture from our 2002 Christmas card photo shoot!
In 2003, the kids all slept in Kerry's room
on Christmas Eve.
Adam was thrilled with stuffed animal that Annie sewed for him!
Adam made crepes for Christmas breakfast in 2004.
Mia joined the family (although Jack sadly left us).
In 2005, Vance got a picture for his office
commemorating the Red Sox world series win.
Sami was a new addition to the family.
Our beloved Mia was very happy to have Sami to play with.
We spent Christmas 2006 in Florida. It was the last
Christmas my mom was with us.
We spent a rainy Christmas night at Disneyworld.
We also met up with other families from our church
who were also at Disney for Christmas!
2007 was the year of Guitar Hero! And my father joined us
for his first Christmas without my mom.
From what pictures I could find, the pets were the
center of attention in 2008!
Of course, the pets are most often the center of attention
in our family. Here is 2009!
This is one of Kerry's faces when she doesn't really like
what she opened!
Here is another example, in 2010!
She never wore that hat that Grandma gave her!
After opening presents, we drove to New Jersey to surprise the relatives.
Maddie had joined the family for Christmas 2011.
Adam got a satchel for his semester in Italy.
Kerry made a vase of paper flowers for me!
We drove to New Jersey with our ugly Christmas sweaters.
and Adam got a make-over!
We went to New Jersey once again in 2012 on Christmas day,
but this time dressed as an Amish family in costumes
made by Grandma Alice.
My sister and her family joined us for Christmas in 2013.
2014 was the year of the Charlie Brown tree.
We also celebrated Christmas a week early
so we could all be together.
In just a few more weeks, everyone will be home
for Christmas this year. Kerry has to work on
Christmas Eve, but will be catching an early morning
flight to make it home before noon on Christmas morning.
It will be different than other years,
but we can wait to open up presents.
I'm just happy that we will all be together!
