Sylvester Christmas 2013

Well Christmas was almost a month ago and I am just getting around to this post. Whoops!

I look forward to Sylvester Christmas every year. It's so much fun seeing everyone and talking nonstop!

We have a theme for food so we don't eat the same thing every year. This year was chicken. We had teriyaki chicken, chicken pastas, Stove Top chicken, chicken chile soup, and so much more. We always make more than enough, but throughout the event we all go back and eat what's left. 

It was my Aunt Sherry's year to host and she had games for the kids and adults. Each age group got to guess how much was in each jar.

A few years ago, Aunt Sherry started a box for us to bring canned food in for a local pantry. We each brought a few non-perishables to be taken to the pantry.

We also had plenty of spirits to keep the night going.

Everyone was dressed up and all smiles for the occasion.

Eli was excited for Sylvester Christmas, too!

Aunt Joan had the youngest grandchildren lead the Advent wreath ceremony.

And the babies went in the playpen while we played Murder, our favorite card game, to end the night. I think we could play this every weekend. Everyone who played brought a $5 scratch off for buy in. I don't think anyone won with the scratch offs, but nonetheless we enjoyed our time together.

This year my mom is hosting Sylvester Christmas. Can't wait to hear about the ideas she has for this year!!

Christmas Time Is Here

We had a joyous Christmas as a new family. It was busy, but Eli was a trooper and kept going. We had Zmolik Christmas on the 20th, Sylvester Christmas on the 22nd, and the rest of the festivities on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

For Zmolik Christmas I tried two new recipes. For an appetizer I went to the Pioneer Woman for Tortellini Skewers. They were a little expensive for appetizers, but very easy and delicious. You can find the recipe here. I made a dessert called Chocolate Snowballs. These were also rather easy. The hardest part was forming the dough around the Hershey kiss. They were sinfully good and you can find the recipe here.

I realize now that this says desserts when there is also an appetizer on this. Forgive me!

I have a separate post for Sylvester Christmas. On Christmas Eve we went it my Grandma Mikula's for lunch. She made barbecue, strudel, and cheese rolls. We brought the sides and more desserts. We caught up with my dad's side and looked at old photo albums. The babies had fun playing with my aunts and uncles. 

In the evening we went to my mom's for dinner and to exchange gifts with my immediate family. We managed to get a great picture of all of the babies and will be adding one more by next year as my SIL is due in July. My mom made pork loin that was so tasty. As usual, we had too much food and ate until we were past full. By this point, we were exhausted from a long day, but had to recharge for Midnight Mass. 

We got to church around 11 for caroling and to get a pew with enough room for my whole family (9 adults and 4 children). Mass was beautiful and it felt so special having my whole family together. We took pictures after Mass and it was going on 2am(Don't mind our tired looks).

     My sis, BIL, and Marley

                                     

My SIL, brother, Joshua, and Emily  

My mom and dad

And the whole family...with Joshua to the side.lol 

It was so nice to go to Mass as a family and celebrate the birth of our Lord. We thank God for our blessings of being together.

Eli is Two Months Old

Our little peanut is already two months old. I here myself saying that for every month :(

Here are some pictures of him around his two month milestone.

I love his big grin and squinty eyes

Eli's mini photo shoot

I still think he's tiny, but when compared to his one month picture I can see a big difference.

At his two month appointment, he got his shots and was a trooper. He only cried for a few seconds while I sat in the chair with tears streaming down my face. Chris was a great daddy and held him so calmly.

At his check-up he was 9 lbs. 10 oz. and 23 inches long. He has gained three pounds and 2 1/2 inches since birth. He is in the 50th percentile for everything and even went up 1/2 a percentile for weight. Our doctor says he is healthy and to keep up the good work. He goes back at the beginning of March for his 4 month check-up with more shots :( 

Christmas Card 2013

 Here is our Christmas card for this year.

The back of the card had this family picture

Click here for last year's card.

 

We hope that everyone enjoys this Christmas season and rejoices that our Savior is born.

Christmas Crafts

 For Eli's first Christmas I wanted to make sure that we made the most of it. I found a few Christmas crafts on Pinterest and took it from there.

Bri came over with Marley and we did hand and foot molds in salt dough to make as ornaments.

 

His little hands and feet are so small. 

We added a finish to seal them so they could be sent overseas for Christmas gifts.

 I also saw this cute way of keeping Eli's hospital cap and bracelet. This took a matter of a few minutes and then to hang on the tree. This is a much better way of keeping his cap and bracelet than sitting in a box. 

 

 Just a few of the memories we're making for Eli's first Christmas...