There's no place like home....it has been 4 months since we were last home in Milwaukee. This time we were home to celebrate Christmas with dad, mom, Alan, Katrina, Zach (Katrina's boyfriend), the Myers family, Grandma Harrington, stepsister Dana her family. It was a busy weekend.
In keeping with tradition with my dad, Bryan, Katrina and I went with dad to Candy Cane Lane. Candy Cane Lane has been going For more than 20 years in West Allis. It's a neighborhood consisting of about a miles worth of street transformed into a winter wonderland to benefit the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer (MACC) Fund.
After we go through Candy Cane Lane we go to Country Christmas, which just happens to be where my sister works part-time these days for the Country Springs Hotel. They put on a wonderful display that you drive through and it takes about 20 minutes to get through it all. Afterwards we went inside to see their Nativity scene which is a replica of the one that's in the Vatican.
Then we head inside to look at the train set, polar bears and the neat trinkets they have. They even had a city backdrop...perfect for photos.
Saturday was the annual Myers' family Christmas. This year we had it at the Oak Creek Manor in South Milwaukee. My mom's family all gets together the 3rd weekend in December. She's one of 16 children and each child has children and their children have children. We each bring a side to pass. The great-grandchildren all exchange names and bring gifts. We read the Christmas story. This year I was selected as the reader.
Then we sing Christmas carols...Lucas loved sitting on Bryan's or my lap.
Here's Zach (Katrina's boyfriend) and Lindsey (my god-child)
And here's Lucas with me.
Katrina, Zach, Lindsey and Jeremy...such brotherly sisterly love!
After signing carols Santa comes and visits. All of the children get to have a photo and tell him what they want!
We have such a wonderful time at the Christmas and it always seems to go too quickly. We don't necessarily get to catch up with everyone we would like, but are thankful to see everyone is doing well and happy around the holiday season!
When we were done at the Myers' Christmas we went to visit my Grandma Harrington. My step sister Dana, her husband Andy and their kids all came (Jacob, Eric, Madison, Amanda, Sammie and Noah) too! It was great to see everyone and catch up! Later that night we headed home to mom and Alan's house to exchange presents. For the first time...Bryan and I got a photo in front of the Christmas tree!
Bryan's funny face opening his gift from mom and Alan.
Mom and Alan opening some of the gifts from us...a personalized photo book from the wedding with photos of the Myers and Harrington family and then an 8x10 photo frame with the Myers family photo!
Oreo the cat...keeps Mom and Alan company with us kids being out of the house!
Zach got his dream PS3 and Katrina got some not too bad gifts too!
As always, the time home in Milwaukee was short and quick. We love being home, but there never seems to be enough time to see everyone. Some day we'll get to take a week and go home....We are thankful for the time we do get to spend home and thankful that we are able to make the trip home.
Merry Christmas to everyone! We're off to Harlan for Christmas to see both sides of Bryan's family!
Amazing
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