New Years Eve 2008

We once again we hosted our child-friendly New Years Eve party. We scaled the party down significantly. We typically host 10+ couples and their children but we took it easy this year to ensure that baby Baker cooks a little longer.
We had our traditional chili buffet with all the fixins, yummy apps and desserts and of course fireworks and a champagne toast at midnight.
2009 came in nice and easy this year...let's hope that's a common theme for the next 12 months!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

The fireworks begin with a bang

Watching the fireworks from the curb

The kids and their sparklers

Getting toasty by the fire after playing outside in the cold

A pregnant woman's NYE wouldn't be complete without Welch's Sparkling Grape Juice!!!

CHEERS!!!!

Christmas Day 2008

Our Charlie Brown tree for the boys

Santa made the drop!

And the stockings were stuffed!!!!

Daddy and Fu's grand entrance

Sam's grand entrance

Sam and Fu check out Fu's new ride

I am Iron Man!

Pokemon action figures for Sam

Sam and Fu give daddy a new sports watch

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Christmas 2008 was a whirl-wind! It was a fantastic Christmas! So many went with less or without this year and I am so thankful that we could once again provide for our children and that Santa pulled another big day off. This was also the perfect season to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas as it felt so wonderful to be able to give rather than receive.

It was a little challenging being 9 months pregnant but all in all it was great. We were surrounded by family and friends in the days leading up to Christmas and were able to make new memories to hold close to our hearts. I am looking forward to next year's festivities and adding another little Baker to the mix!

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Christmas Festivities

With the family now more spread out than ever, organizing Christmas was a little tough this year. We had lots of family plans to consider! We managed to accommodate everyone if we did have to break traditions a smidgen!

December 21st

We celebrated with mom and dad and my brothers and their children. In lieu of our traditional Italian dinner we opted for appetizers. It was very tasty and easy!!! The kids enjoyed spending the day together playing and opening presents.

Clayton as Santa

Chaos!!! And a very excited Sam.

Waiting is just so hard!!!

The girls..Isabella, Emma, & Madison

4 Generations of Tronco Testosterone (Scary!)

Dad, Papa (Joe Tronco Sr.), Michael, and Jameson

Sam and Fu love Muzzy's Ice rink

Uncle Nic-Nic a favorite of everyone's

Fu enjoying the labor of opening gifts

Shannon and Fu

December 23rd

We headed to the lake to NaNa and Papa's house for our annual Christmas slumber party. We enjoyed watching the kids play and open presents together. And we truly enjoyed our Christmas Eve brunch before going home!

Sam opens a present from Kirstin and Madeline

Fu tears into his presents with Daddy

Kirstin and Madeline get into their loot too

December 24th

Shannon and I along with the boys, enjoyed a quiet evening at Mom and Dad's. We enjoyed our traditional Italian dinner which was DELICIOUS and made Mini-Gingerbread Houses with Sam and Fu.

Fu and Daddy working on his edible masterpiece

Boppa joins in

TA-DA!

Sam spent lots of time on his...only about half done at this point!

Muzzy lends a helping hand

Then it was off to bed so Santa could come visit!