Christmas in Jersey

Mark and I spent Christmas with his side up in northern New Jersey this year. We probably would have gone back to MN to visit my fam, but we were eagerly anticipating a very special Christmas present on the east coast. Our sis Kelly and bro-in-law Stephen had a baby girl, Aubree Noel, at 11:59 pm on 12/21, weighing 7 lbs. 1 oz. We couldn't wait to meet our niece! The baby was a gift for all of us - she is the first grandchild/niece in Mark's immediate family. She is so tiny and beautiful! We thought for sure she would have red hair, but Kelly's genes must have gotten trumped by Steve's strawberry blonde. ;)

♥ Aubree Noel ♥

Mark's parents, grandparents, sis Lauren, and the two of us piled into the Baldassano home for a few days and enjoyed passing around the sleepy bundle of joy. Steve's family also joined us for dinner on Christmas Eve & Day. After Christmas we had the big Henderson Christmas party, hosted this year by Uncle John & Aunt Joannie. We hadn't seen any of them since last Christmas, and it was great to catch up with everybody and see how tall our not-so-little-anymore cousins have grown. As usual, we had the "grab bag" gift exchange. I unwrapped a necklace and lotto tickets (only won $3, darn!) and Mark scored the hot men's item - BEER! It was a fun weekend, but the time flew by too fast!

Wearing our Christmas crowns

Dad Henderson & Grandpa Hackett sporting their new fur hats

Santa's little elf - Caoimhe helped us wrap gifts

Many thanks to our friends Carla & Jeff who looked after the pugs for us over the holiday. We hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas/Hanukkah/Festivus (for the rest of us)!