We had one fun filled-jam packed Christmas!

I've been a slacker lately...sorry! We had a wonderful Christmas. I know everyone says that a baby's first Christmas is more exciting for the parents than for the baby...but I really think Ashley enjoyed opening her presents. She is so alert and although I'm sure that next Christmas will bring even more joy to her...I do think she had a great time this year.

On Christmas Eve we headed over to Eric's parents (Nana & Pops) house for lunch and to open presents with them and Tiff, Larry, Alex and BABY SAM (he made his arrival just in time for Christmas). Ashley got some great gifts and it was really fun to open gifts together with everyone.

Caption: Pops holding Ashley while Nana opens the gift Ashley made for her. Ashley waiting patiently for Alex to pass out all the gifts. It was so cute...she was banging on the gift that Alex gave her and accidentally ripped a small hole in the paper and Alex came up to her and said in the sweetest caring little voice, "Wait one minute, Ashley". It was TOOO CUTE! He loves his little cousin so much. We then headed to Muenster to enjoy Christmas Eve dinner with the entire Reiter clan! It was really fun and everyone got to see Ashley.
Caption: Ashley was sooooo tired from the long trip to Muenster and the event filled day...she passed out on her changing table before we could finish getting into her new Christmas PJs that Gigi & Granken got her. What a tired baby! Christmas morning we woke up and of course Ashley ran down stairs to see what Santa had brought her....ok...so mommy and daddy ran downstairs carrying Ashley to see what Santa brought her. Ashley must have been a very good 6 month old, because Santa brought her a Jumperoo. She absolutely LOVED it and mommy and daddy learned that for next year we need to "ask Santa to please put together the toys before heading back up the chimney!!" Santa also left her some new bibs and sippy cups. After all the Santa and Jumperoo excitement wore off, we headed into the living room to open our family gifts by the tree. Ashley once again made out like a bandit. She got a Learn and Groove table, Noah's Ark, and some clothes from Mommy & Daddy.

Caption: Ashley and Mommy with her the gifts Santa brought her. Too bad he didn't take the time to set them up! Bad Santa! She's showing off her new found skill of sitting up by herself. She thinks she's a big girl now! Finally...the Jumperoo is operational and ready for its little jumper. SUCCESS! She loves it...check out that cute smile! Ashley with her Noah's Ark and Groove and Learn Table that Mommy and Daddy got her.

We headed over to my parents (Gigi & Granken) house at around 9:30 for some sausage bread and to open our presents with them and my sister and her husband (Kristen & Matt), my brother (Michael) and my grandparents (Memaw & Papaw). It was a really good time, and once again Ashley got more than we know what to do with. She has sooooooo many toys and cute little outfits to wear now. She's going to be one stylish 6 month old! We ate luncher (lunch/dinner) at around 4, which by the way was OH SO YUMMY! and then headed back over to Eric's parents house for Christmas dinner with Nana & Pops, Tiff/Larry & Crew, Mimi (Eric's grandmother) and Teri & Scott (Eric's aunt & uncle). Unfortunately...Ashley got sick while we were over there with some stomach bug and was sick for the entire week that I was off on vacation. NO FUN! Poor little thing! Mommy, Daddy & Gigi all got sick too. It was horrible! We're all finally better now, a week later!
Caption: Ashley, asleep in Granken's arms after a morning full of presents, presents & more presents!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all!

Pops is holding Ashley and Nana is holding the newest addition to the family, Samuel Reece D'Agostino. He's a cutie!