Christmas Eve 2009.

Our Christmas Eve was nothing extraordinarily different. We went out to dinner together, and then to my parent's house for activities.

But, it was special all the same.

Deak was not on top of his game this year. We were blessed it was nothing serious, just a little guy trying his best to get everything on his insides to work as they should.

Ab, on the other hand, was priceless. Truly a year Blair and I will remember...still young enough to believe in its' magic, yet old enough to understand the significance.

For some reason, I am a little nervous about Cam's smile...;)

I love this picture of Ab. She did this pose in EVERY SINGLE picture taken during her third year of life. The crazy excitement must have brought back the photo pose.

Happy for a moment...

Shepards' need naps sometimes.

Mary did a good job containing Joseph and Baby Jesus.

Grandma read stories...which Abby eventually overtook and read aloud.

Opening the traditional American PJ's.

Poor Sick Boy.

Gotta give Deak credit for trying to smile in this picture...Cute pajama kids.

Then, off to home...where I was DONE wrapping (thanks to some help from a friend).

We drank Martinelli's in wine glasses (Ab got to participate this year)...put Ab and Deak to bed, and watched Midnight Mass.

(Blair insists on the final one...seriously...every year. It's in Latin btw. and I lasted about 4 minutes before nodding off. But, the Pope did get attacked by a crazy lady in a red sweatshirt this year, so some excitement was added (He was okay...I'm not cruel).)