Merry Christmas 2009!

We had a wonderful 1st Christmas as a family of 3!

We started our Christmas last weekend with the Chervenka crew. See previous posts!
On Christmas Eve, we ventured back into the Quad Cities to spend the evening with Travis' mom and dad. It is a family tradition to spend Christmas Eve with them eating ham sandwiches, oyster stew, chips and veggies. After opening 1 present we go look at lights and listen to Christmas music. When we get home we open 1 gift and go to sleep to wait for Santa! When we wake up we have stickies, a Stecher tradition, and open stockings and the rest of our gifts.

We had a nice time and Parker, as well as Travis and I received many nice things!

Christmas morning we headed to my folks in Monmouth. We were grateful the weather held out. It is a family tradition to spend Christmas Day at Dad's in Monmouth. We open stockings that Santa has left for us shortly after arriving and then watch a movie. This year it was The Hangover. HILARIOUS! After the traditional movie we have dinner in the dining room, and then open presents. You can be sure there will always be a fire in the fire place and a colored light garland adorning the fireplace at Christmas. We spend the night at dad's and this year I didn't have to rush off to Bergner's....I worked the late shift! We were able to enjoy the morning having bacon, eggs, toast, and just hanging around together.
Parker, again, received many nice gifts and fun things to play with. Travis and I also received more than we needed, but we do love it!
(mom, I need some of your pictures, I guess I spent more time playing with your camera than taking with mine! Bring your memory card by the house some time soon!)

After returning to our own home, we again, opened presents under the tree, and AGAIN, Santa left Parker a stocking....man, Parker, you must have been a really good boy to get 3 stockings!

We enjoyed our time together with our big families and our own little family of 3. We love traditions and look forward to spending many years with Grandmas and Grandpas continuing our big family traditions. We also look forward to beginning some of our little family traditions soon!

Now for the clean up! :(