family

Thanksgiving – Served Family Style

We spent Thanksgiving as we usually do but this year seemed a bit better. We went to my mothers side first and stayed a bit longer than usual. Garrett was having a debate about who knows what, I was catching up, my mom seemed wide awake + there was an over all warm feeling 🙂

IMG_5586

I am willing to bet some of that warmness came from the 2 babies Julette and George – which has brought so much joy to my Aunt Sue (my great aunt) as she has been spending tons of time with her first grandchildren.

IMG_5558

Jules was a little cranky after her nap but still just as friggen cute as can be!!! I do love her so much, everything about her is so damn cute!

IMG_5579

After my moms side, we headed over to my Dad’s sisters. My Aunt who grew up as one of two, married my uncle who was one of eight, and this was the year of the McDevitts. All of his siblings joined + we had a big dinner of 50!!! I was so happy by how the entire evening went, I think naturally we were a little nervous for there to be that many people but it was perfect, just goes to show when its family, it doesn’t matter how many… the more the merrier holds true. It doesn’t hurt that they have one of the largest and most beautiful homes in all of town.

IMG_5585It is amazing how fast time is flying …. how we are already in Dec (almost) and how this marks the 2 year mark since I have been diagnosed with Lupus. How far I have come since then and how many ups and downs there have been. I am a stronger woman for it… How was your Thanksgiving?

Holiday Recap

 This Christmas was one of the best! I think this time is my favorite because I am a sucker for tradition. We have so many traditions, beginning with Christmas eve, which when we were younger we all participated in the Church play ( I always aspired to be Mary but laded one of the wise men at my highest acting point). This year now that everyone is grown up the focus becomes more on dinner and family time. We started a new tradition this year – a Yankee swap. As you can imagine that entertained us for a bit!

Christmas eve was at my Mom’s side of the family where we were able to enjoy the amazing Juliet – the newest addition to the Girard Family tree. Juliet_xmasMy brother Garrett + My grandfather 🙂

garrett_pepe_xmas2012

Christmas morning we go to my Dad’s sisters where Harrison scored big!! A laptop!! Woo

harrison_xmas2013

Then we head to the farm – where my Dad and all his cousins spent most of their child hood. Its a BEAUTIFUL place to say the least. With acers of land and horses all around. We enjoy a feast fit for only our Italian family, handcut macaroni (I dream of this all year), roast beef, meatballs, home made sauce.. YUM! After dinner we enjoyed a competitive 2 rounds of Left, Right, Center. farm_left_right_centerWhich Kacey won both rounds!! Not fair and a new rule for next year!

What are some of your family traditions?