christmas week

Well, this is going to be a long post...  We had a fantastic Christmas week.  My parents drove up from Pennsylvania on Christmas Eve (after many, many hours of traffic) and Brian's parents arrived from western Massachusetts on Christmas morning.  Everyone was VERY excited to hang out with Cassidy and spend time with their first grandchild.

Cassidy and Grandpa Jim

Cassidy, Grammy, and Grumpy

Once everyone got settled in and the ham went into the oven, we decided to open presents.  Cassidy, of course, made out just fine.  She got some really nice things including a hand knit stocking made by Grandy with her name on it, a Raggedy Ann just like Mommy used to have as a child, two hand-knit blankets, a hand-knit sweater, and some wooden toys that are super cool.  She really is SOOOO spoiled!

Of course she slept through it all.  I can only imagine how different Christmas will be next year!

After opening presents we had dinner.  Both Grandy and Grammy prepared wonderful dishes and we had a beautiful meal together.  We also used my Grandmother's china for the first time, it made everything that much more special.

That evening we all curled up in the living room and watched National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation together.  Classic!

On Friday we got ourselves together and took Miss Cassidy on her first trip to the RISD Museum.  Brian strapped her into the Bjorn and she, of course, slept through the entire thing.

the Chihuly exhibit

For Saturday, our parents hosted an open house with appetizers and drinks so that all of our Providence friends could meet Cassidy.  It was also the first time she met her aunts and uncles.  The party was an amazing success and Cassidy was very well behaved and loved by everyone.

meeting Uncle Shaun and Aunt Alissa

Cassidy in her Christmas party outfit, adorable!

outfit #2 and spending some quality time with Grandy

my handsome brothers who also spent far too much time in traffic to meet their niece, but we are so thankful they did!

Cassidy and Uncle Mark

three of four of the babies at the open house, Cassidy will never have a shortage of playdates!

the new and improved Van Horn family

the Weigand clan

Cassidy and her three uncles, such a lucky lady

One of my favorite parts of this weekend was seeing the love that so many people had for our little girl.  Uncle Tim was especially enthralled and it was amazing to witness my "little" brother in such a sweet exchange with my daughter.

We had a great week and can't thank our parents enough for making this such a very special holiday, one in which we will never forget.  Merry Christmas, everyone!