Davlin's Christmas Eve

Each Christmas Eve, after 4:30 mass, the Davlin family gets together, has MeMo's ham and cheese sandwiches, and enjoys time together. Over the years, our family has grown! I think that we counted 14 of MeMo's great-grandchildren that were there. We tried for a picture. Next year we know there will be more!

My mom's late brother, Tim, gained three new grandsons this past year. Nolan (6 months), Emmit (3 months) and Ronan (1month). Here is my cousin Ryan holding them all (and Colin).

Since there are so many little ones, Santa has started to make an appearance. The kids all told him what they wanted and got pictures with him. They were all impressed that he knew their names. Not Cohan though, he wouldn't let go of the death grip on me long enough to look at him more than a second or two. The second Santa said his name, he buried his face. The kids all gathered on the couch and watched Santa.

It was a great night, but we had to get home so Santa could come in the morning!!!

Schmidt Family Christmas

For the last few years, we have celebrated Christmas with my dad on Christmas Eve's Eve (the 23rd). We always start with opening stockings, have a yummy dinner, then open presents, watch movies and wake up and have breakfast together. This year was no different. Cohan was very excited to see all the presents.

He was ready to open his stocking. He could have cared less about anything except the fruit chews.

Between stockings and dinner, Cohan shared his new toy that Aunt Colleen had given him. Tayler, Cohan and Abby loved coloring with the cars.

After dinner, it was time to open gifts. My sister, Clara, couldn't be there, but she sure did have good gifts for Cohan. He loved all the tractors and trucks he opened!!!

Our new set of family camping chairs! Cohan had to test them all out.

Cousin Love!

Cohan came down with his PJs on, still ready to play with his new toys. I love the quote; it is so appropriate for him... "Dear Santa, Define Good."

We woke up the next morning, and had a yummy breakfast. Thanks Dad and Chris for an awesome Christmas celebration!! We feel so very blessed.

Aunt Kenley Graduates

Cohan's godmother, Kenley, has been in the Accelerated Nursing Program at Columbia College. She graduated a couple of weeks ago and we were there to cheer her on! Cohan loved cheering for everyone, but stood and cheered a little louder for his Aunt Kenley.

We are so proud of her!! Love you Aunt Kenley!

Christmas Baking and Decorating

This weekend we did LOTS of Holiday baking and decorating. We were excited that Avery and Mack got to come over Saturday and play while their parents finished shopping! Avery, Mack and Cohan started the weekend by decorating their gingerbread houses that Scott made them. As soon as Cohan saw Scott making them with icing, he got in his chair and helped himself to a spoon! Cohan and Mack shared a house and Avery did her own. Mack ate lots of the candy; I don't think he actually put any on the house! =)

Cohan's finished product!

Avery's is on the left, Cohan's is on the right.

Sunday, after breakfast, church, lunch and Cohan's nap, we decorated the gingerbread cookies I made. Cohan ate lots of decorations.

Cohan's decorated cookies are on the left. The right shows all the plates I made for neighbors and friends. I was busy. I made puppy chow, chex mix, chingalings, snow balls, peppermint bark, gingerbread cookies and chocolate covered pretzels.