Nollaig Shona Duit!

Which means Merry Christmas in Ireland! For my family Christmas, we have been choosing countries to celebrate the different foods, gifts, and traditions of that country at Christmas. Last year we celebrated France because it is part of our heritage and this year we chose Ireland as it is also part of our heritage. I found some traditional Irish dresses for Alaina and I to wear but I just couldn't spend the money on them as we were sticking to a budget this year. Oh well.

Here is Alaina, Luci, and Nevie. Alaina had a couple of admirers that day and she loved it. She would love to have a little sister following her around.
For the Irish meal, we had Potato/crab soup, turkey, ham, soda bread, Irish sweet potatoes, veggies and for dessert a mince meat pie and I made a Irish bread pudding with ice cream-most all of the desserts and bread recipes have whiskey in them and they tasted delicious (:

Here is Jon and my mom getting the meal ready.
"What it's Christmas again?"
My brother Adam and his family were home this year (they live in Washington) and it was so nice to have them here for Christmas! I really wish they lived closer....
Even Super Sawyer showed up and out of the blue he had to prove his strength for everyone!
Beautiful sisters, Cassidy and Courtney
Alaina
Beautiful sisters, Allison and Ashley
These three LOVE getting together. They stayed overnight and Grandma's house again this year and I think it is their new tradition. Mitchell (middle) is visiting from Colorado so the boys don't get to see each other very often.
Allison and her boyfriend Phil
Tanner having fun with Luci.
The kids played a game of Hot Potato-I had read that it is a traditional Irish kids game. They enjoyed it (especially Tanner :). We had other games planned, but things get busy and we didn't have time to play them.

Onto gift opening.....as part of the celebration, the gifts are supposed to be Irish and homemade. It is sooo fun seeing what everyone comes up with. We are all so creative (: Some of us more than others-you know who you are.

Liam received a bib from Grandma.
The men (and mom) watching the gift opening.
Sawyer's gift to Luci was a sewn soft book called the "ABC's of Ireland" It had all traditional Irish words. It was homemade, just not by me (:
Chrissy made a beautiful gift for Nevie. She stitched a poem that went along with a charm bracelet. Such a cool idea!!

Luci gift to Aidan was an Irish whistle
Alaina received all the material she needed to make her own earrings-very cool. She has actually made a couple pair already!

Julie's girls painted aprons for Mitchell, Tanner, and Courtney and sent along a cookbook of Irish desserts-another awesome gift!
Alaina and Jonnie made Cassidy and Ashley some Irish Cream Cappuccino mix with a mug.
Allison received some jewelry from Raquel.
Here is everyone enjoying their gifts. My mom gave each grandchild an Irish ornament and a bag of homemade treats (the kids' favorite).
After the gift opening the adults played a fun game of Scategories. Some of us cheat and once again you know who you are (:

Here Sawyer is now the Hulk and he is trying to save Mitch from the "bad guy" AKA Uncle Chuck.
Alaina loving up little Liam.
Here are the boys winding down and getting ready for their sleepover. We finished the night with dessert and conversation.
I know it is getting to be a lot of pictures, but I wanted to add the next few. Most of us met up the next day for bowling and pizza. Every time Adam is home, we go bowling. I am still not very good, but it is always fun!

Maja (Adam's wife) and Luci
Jonnie and Mitch are such big helpers!

Alaina giving it her all.

Peace out.
After bowling I had my brother and his fam and my parents over for Chili. Sawyer had to show Maja all his toys. Not only show her, but put them all on her lap (: Your a good sport, Maja!
Here the kids are playing the cooties game.
Luci is so adorable and has the CUTEST little voice ever! She sounds like a little chipmunk.
And were done! All the out of towners have since left and it always makes me sad that we don't live closer and can just stop by and visit them. It was so nice to see everyone, though and even though it can get crazy, we had a great Irish Christmas. Next year I am really hoping for Italy or Spain-mostly for the food!