Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! It was a great one in the Kelly house. We woke up to snow coming down (but not nearly as much as my friend Summer got in Minneapolis!). Jack watched the snow come down as he waited to open gifts. Jack opened his and Patrick's gifts. There are still a couple left to open another day because he really wanted to play with the gifts he opened instead of opening new ones. His favorite was his new train set.

My favorite gift was my cool, new camera! I don't know how to work all the bells and whistles yet, but I hope to learn soon. The rest of the pictures from today were taken with it.

Jack had fun with Uncle Paul.

Grandpa held Patrick.

We have been getting lots of smiles from this guy!

Jack was anxious to open the presents at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Uncle Paul and Aunt Margaret gave Jack these cool Cardinals alphabet blocks!

Margaret also got a cool camera for Christmas!

Jim and Paul entertained us with their guitars.

Jack ran around like the wild child he is!

He also settled in a chair with Grandma to play with his new Leapfrog text and learn toy.

Jack's cousins: Mimi, Bridget, and Katie.

After Grandma and Grandpa's, we went to my Aunt Sue and Uncle Matt's house. My mom showed off a wallet-sized picture of her with her idol, Bill McClellan. We also gave her a poster-sized picture of the two of them for Christmas.

Colleen and I posed with our Godson, Mark, who is a freshman at Georgetown! We are so proud of him!

A Visit to Santa

Jack, Patrick, and I went to the Oakland House to see Santa Claus today. We watched puppet show, sat on Santa's lap, and had a cookie from Mrs. Claus. Here are some pictures (Patrick slept through the whole thing - big surprise).

Just for fun, here is a picture of Jack from last year:
You can see he enjoyed this year a lot more. He willingly sat on Santa's lap this year. Jack told Santa what he wants for Christmas - a train, or "a tain" as Jack says.

Here are some pictures of Patrick's cute Christmas outfit that Grandma and Grandpa's friends gave him (check out the reindeer on the feet):

...and the reindeer on the booty.

Thanksgiving, Baptism, Trains, and More!

We were without internet for almost a week, so I will use that as my excuse for not updating the blog. I have lots of pictures to share.
Jack and I took Patrick to the zoo for the first time, and we met up with Jack's friend, Margo, and her Dad. Patrick enjoyed his first train ride. He actually slept the entire time at the zoo. On Thanksgiving, we visited both sets of grandparents. Grandpa held Patrick for the first time, and it was a success!

Papa also held Patrick.

Jack and his cousin, Lukas, took a bath together. Nana gave them these cute snowmen towels.

My cousins usually get together the night after Thanksgiving. Here is a picture of those of us that got together this year. Patrick decided to come along, too.

On Sunday, we had Patrick's Baptism. Here is Jack with his cousins Ryan, Lukas, and Adam.

Uncle Paul and Aunt Ingrid are Patrick's Godparents.

My mom made his baptismal gown! My cousin embroidered the shamrocks and the "K" on it!

Since my entire family was in town, we gathered on the church steps for a picture.

Jim's mom made this incredible cake!

Patrick got to meet his Aunt Melanie and Uncle David. They got back from a 7 week trip to South America on Friday and left today (Tuesday) to move to Australia. We are really going to miss them!

Family picture:

I think Patrick's had enough:

Today we went to the Train Expo at the Botanical Gardens with Grandma and Grandpa. Jack loved it! He is obsessed with trains.

Patrick slept through it all.

It was hard to get Jack to look away from the trains for a picture.

Patrick had his first smile this weekend. I was able to get a picture of this one today.

Jack and Patrick posed for a picture to send Daddy.