Countdown to Christmas

We got back to Saint Louis on Wedneaday night and the next day, Guy and I went out to an early anniversary dinner ( he heads back to Lagos on Dec.26) to celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary!!!! Holy cow??!!! Has it really been that long already??  Mom and Dad were so sweet to give us a gift certificate (and babysit) to a great steak restairant in O'Fallon called Andria's.  If you are ever here, you really need to check this place out...the steaks and prime rib are awesome!!!:) ( After being in Nigeria for almost three years, I am really beginning to appreciate a nice steak).:)

almost 13 years!!!

Lizzy had to have a pic too!:)

On Friday, we went to the see the Nutcracker at the University of Missouri.  The kids were so excited to see the characters they met last week perform on stage!:)

ready to go!!!

Yay!!! Uncle Andrew is here!!:)



front row seats for the Nutcracker!!:)  It was the kids' first ballet ever, and they did great!!!:)



Then, dinner on the hill at Giovanni's:)  This restaurant was fantastic!!  

Only pic of all of us together:)  My brothers, Andrew and Greg were able to join us for Christmas!:)

Dad and me

all the siblings together:)

rare family pic:)

Then, Christmas eve came around:)  The guys all watched football:)

the uncles and Elizabeth ready for Christmas Eve mass:)

 

oops!!  this one was from Friday.....



 

My brothers decided to get into the real Christmas Spirit and make some homemade wassail:)




I have never seen Andrew cook anything!!!!:)



And wouldn't you know it???!!! Santa showed up!!!

Jeremy was on the "nice" list!:)

after sweating it out a little bit...Lizzy was on the "nice" list, too!:)

 even I was:)

enjoying some Christmas cheer!:)



putting together an early Christmas present:)



And, finally....Christmas morning!:)

Christmas overload??!!!



We are almost at the end of another wonderful Christmas seeing our families.  It is hard to believe another year has gone by.  We wish all of our family and friends a very merry and Happy Christmas and a wonderful New year!!!:)