Twas the Night Before Christmas.....

Christmas Eve was wonderful for the Jolly family this year. After a day filled with last minute errands, a quick visit with Santa, and Christmas Eve mass, we enjoyed a relaxing evening and yummy steak dinner with Leenie, Uncle Bill and Jordan. We took this opportunity of the entire family being together to get a few good family pictures. The kids were tired so some of the pictures were not a success. After dinner, Mary Pat and Victoria prepared a plate of cookies for Santa and put out some food for the reindeer. We all managed to get to bed early so that Santa had plenty of time to get to Nana's house! More pictures can be found here.
The silly cousins love being together!

The best serious picture we managed to get of the three kids.

All of the presents were ready for the next day under Nana's tree.

The kids had their own table complete with their gingerbread house as the centerpiece!

The adult table was all set and ready for dinner!

An attempt at a Kolenik family picture.

The silly Jolly family!

The girls enjoying their special table.

Waiting on their chicken.

Jordan, Leenie and Bill.

Aunt Shay baby and her buddy Michael.

Michael hanging out with three of his favorite ladies.

Michael being silly as we changed him into pjs.

Michael is ready for Santa in his Christmas jammies!

The girls and their matching pjs.

Aunt Shawnie helping the girls prepare a plate of cookies for Santa.

Victoria getting some goldfish for the reindeer.

Getting the plate ready for the reindeer.

Mary Pat spilled the cookies on the way to the fireplace.

We Love Nana's House!!

Last Tuesday we loaded up the car and made the drive to South Carolina for Christmas! Aunt Shay baby was kind enough to let us make a pit stop at her apartment in DC while we waited on Daddy to arrive (he flew down after work). After a yummy dinner we got the kids dressed in their jammies and headed out following Aunt Shay baby the whole way. We arrived safely in Spartanburg at 3:30am and both kids were VERY excited to see Nana!

The first few days at Nana's house were spent hanging out with Nana, Victoria, Aunt Shay baby, Uncle Knox, and Aunt Shawnie. Mary Pat and Victoria have LOVED playing together and Michael has gotten to show off how well he crawls. We have also had fun playing Wii, making gingerbread houses and going to see the lights at Hollywild Zoo. Here are a few pictures with more SC adventures to come!
Michael passed out at Aunt Shay baby's apartment before we hit the road to SC.

The kids were ready to hit the road!

Aunt Shawnie, Mary Pat and Victoria making their gingerbread house.

Mary Pat concentrating as she decorates.

Watching Aunt Shawnie fix the roof.

Making a path to the door.

More decorating.

Victoria sampling the decorations.

Mary Pat challenging Uncle Knox to a game of Wii!

Mary Pat was winning!

Aunt Shay baby helping Mary Pat with the Wii control.

The little man is very happy to be at Nana's house!

Victoria, Uncle Chuck, and Mary Pat looking at the lights at Hollywild.

It was freezing but the girls loved looking at the lights from the back of the car!

Santa Claus is Coming to Town!

A few weeks ago we headed to the park in town for the Garden City tree lighting. Although it was FREEZING out that afternoon, Mary Pat and Michael loved seeing the band, high school chorus and lights. Mary Pat also enjoyed some hot chocolate and a red velvet cupcake! The highlight of the afternoon was definitely the arrival of Santa on a big fire truck. It was a great day and we can't wait to do it again last year!

A few days later we attended a Breakfast with Santa hosted by the MOMS group at our church. We had a wonderful breakfast and the kids got to sit on Santa's lap! Mary Pat also had fun making a few crafts while Michael played with some of the other kids. Here are a few more pictures from both events.
Mary Pat tasting a red velvet cupcake.

Mommy and Mary Pat listening to the band and chorus.

Daddy and his freezing kiddos!

Santa arrived with the firemen!

There is Santa's fire truck!

Michael was very excited to see the fire truck and Santa.

Mary Pat watching Santa arrive at the breakfast.

Michael and Daddy hanging out before visiting with Santa.

The little man!

Neither child knows what to think about Santa.

Mary Pat showing off her craft.

Oh Christmas Card, Oh Christmas Card!

We thought trying to get a good Christmas card picture was tough last year. Boy, were we wrong! Trying to get two kids to be in good moods and look at the camera at the same time proved to be a BIG challenge that took place over various days. Here are some of the results although you'll have to wait for your mail to see which picture(s) made the final cut!
Don't know why Mary Pat is putting her hands on her face like this.

Would be good except for Mary Pat's face.

Better.

Sweet

They both look like they are in pain.

Goofy.

Goofy x 2!

Michael was the only one who wanted to participate this day.

Mary Pat was not into the photo session. Can you tell?

She got more angry as the photo shoot went on!

She liked this pose a bit more.

Michael does not look very pleased here.

A solo shoot at Aunt Charlene's house.

Michael loved the wooden soldiers.

The little man.

Once again, Miss Priss did not want her picture taken!