Christmas Eve:)

 Christmas Eve is one of my favorite nights of the year:)  On Christmas Eve, we got all dolled up and headed to mass.  For the first time in many years, there was no snow in northern Illinois-and while this was strange-it was really nice to not have to drive in all the wet stuff:)  Mass was very nice; then we headed back for the Drilling tradition of snacks, Strawberry Patches, and of course, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas and Santa Cookies.  As it was Mia's first Christmas Eve, it was so much fun to share all of these things with her:) 

 Ready to head to church:)

The Ladies

Ready to roll on my first Christmas Eve!

Making Strawberry Patches!  YUM!

Enjoying Snacks:)

'Twas the Night Before Christmas...

I loved the book:)

Putting out cookies for Santa-there was even a stocking one with

Mia's name on it:) 

Hannah Family Christmas:)

We are so excited for Mia's first Christmas.  The festivities began with the Hannah family Christmas at our house:)  It was so much fun and Mia was so cute with all of her presents-she loved opening them and hugging each and every present.  She had SO much fun with all of her uncles, Aunt Dawn, Calli, her cousin and her Grandma!  We had such a great time:)

 Waiting patiently for dinner:)

Hanging with Daddy:)

Almost present time...

 YAY-I am so excited:):)

I love it!!

Daddy, Mia and a new dolly

Cousin Jordan opening up goodies for college next year!

Grandma Hannah opening a gift



Uncle Shaun and Calli

A BIG DOGGY-from Uncle Shaun and Calli-I LOVE IT!!!!!

Hanging with Uncle Larry and Aunt Dawn in my pretty Christmas dress:)

Riding on my new dinosaur with Uncle Shaun's help

Celebrating Grandma Hannah's Birthday

On Saturday, December 17th, we met the Hannah clan at Longhorn Steakhouse to celebrate Janet's birthday.  We had a great time and Janet had a great birthday with the whole family:)

Christmas Party-great friends and a great time:)

Each year, my friends from college have a Christmas party with all of our families.  We always have such a great time-and even though we were missing a few people-we had too much fun:)  It is one of my favorite Christmas parties of the year!!!! 

As a side note-holy cow do we have A LOT OF CHILDREN-there were 15 children and only 12 adults:):)  Should I also mention that there are a few more babies on the way???

Nicholas, Mia, Ava and Payton:)

Kendall, Olivia, and Mia

A large amount of the kiddos:)

The ladies:)

Aunt Lace and Mia



Red Dress Dinner and Tree Decorating:)

On December 10, Shane, Mia and I headed to join my sister, Tobi, at the annual Alpha Phi Red Dress dinner for women's cardiac care and research.  Before we left, we decoarted Mia's first Christmas tree...she loved putting the ornaments on!  It was such a wonderful evening for such a great cause and Aunt Tobi was super excited to show off little Miss Mia:)

Going to cut down our Christmas tree:):)

YAY!!!!  One of my favorite days of the year-going to cut down our Christmas tree, and I was super excited, as it was Mia's first time!  I know they are messy...but I just LOVE a real Christmas tree:)  Anyway, we traveled to Eckerts in Belleville on a Wednesday after work and it was super nice out.  We found the perfect tree and Mia had a blast!



A trip to Tampico...and a WALKING BABY!!!!

The first weekend in December, we headed up to Tampico to visit and help my mom decorate the house for Christmas!  We even snuck in a visit to Santa, who happened to be visiting Tampico that day.  Mia loved all the Christmas stuff and playing at Grandma Toni's-she, however, did NOT love sitting on Santa's lap...nope, not one bit:)  (Jaycie-there will be a crying baby pic, just for you!) 

Also, while we were in Tampico, setting up my dad's Mickey Mouse tree-Mia took her FIRST STEPS, while holding a Mickey Mouse, of course!!!!!! 

She had been so close for a long time-it was so cute and so great to share with Aunt Tobi and Grandma Toni.  It was a great weekend to get us in the Christmas mood!

 Mia and Mommy putting ornaments on the Mickey Mouse tree

 Mia showing Daddy how it's done

 Trying to take those first steps...and she did-just a few minutes later:)

 Helping put ornaments on the Mickey Tree!

Allright...he's okay from over here:)

 Seriously, mom.....

 I do NOT care if he brings presents....

 Our little family:)

Aunt Tobi and Mia-all ready for Church