A wonderful Christmas holiday week! Wednesday – December 26, 2007

For obvious reasons, the Martino’s spent the Christmas holiday in California. We listened to holiday music, ate grandma Leona’s yummy fudge (how cool that she sent it from MN!), and enjoyed several celebrations with wonderful family and friends here. So – it was still fabulous and memorable!

We enjoyed a big holiday dinner and gift opening at Gabby’s godparents’ home (Trish & Todd) on the 21st, before they headed off to the east coast for the week. Gabby just loves her godparents, her cousins Courtney and Tori and her great grandparents Leo and Kenny. It was a really fun night and Gabby is obsessed with the “Rescue Pack” (think “Diego”) that Courtney gave her.

On Christmas Eve, Dan, Gabby & I took Dan’s mom to church, out for dinner and then Dan, Gabby & I opened gifts and enjoyed our little trio of a family. At church, Gabby loved listening to the holiday music and would continue humming after a song would be finished and then laugh with excitement. She also entertained the people around us quite well. At the beginning of the service, after the priest said “Let us pray”, Gabby yelled out “That’s so silly!” and started laughing. She had everyone around us giggling and Dan and I were in tears. Whenever the church would be quiet, Gabby would yell out “I want to see Baby Jesus!” After about 40 minutes though, it was time to explore stuff outside the church.

Gabby had fun opening her first 4 gifts and then she decided to delegate, saying “Daddy, can you open this for me?” And, since Dan’s been such a great husband and daddy (especially while I’ve been on restrictions with the pregnancy), I decided to break down and give him Playstation 3, along with 3 games and extra controllers for when we have friends over. Could it be that this pregnancy has made me insane? I have twins coming, a 2 year old, and I just gave my husband Playstation 3? I must be crazy! But, Dan already seems to be exercising great constraint as he’s been SO BUSY with work and managing the contractors finishing up work at our house.

Christmas Day was spent with our good friends, Kathleen, Michael and their girls. Kathleen made a delicious dinner and her home was decorated so nice – it definitely felt like Christmas Day. And, Dan & I always enjoy spending time with them. The girls played SO nice together too. Gabby and Livi had a blast and Maddy tried to keep up with the two older girls. It was a really nice afternoon/evening.

We’re now looking forward to celebrating a mini re-Christmas with my parents when they arrive in 2008 at casa Martino 2.0. They’re coming out to help us with the arrival of the twins and also with getting settled back in the house. We’re looking very forward to their visit!