This Christmas

Josh and I celebrated our first Christmas together this year. Typically, we part ways for the holiday; he goes to Davenport and I stay in Des Moines with my family. This year though we switched things up and spent Christmas with his family. It was a success and Josh's Christmas wasn't very different from Christmas at my house. Went to Christmas Eve mass way before it started, ate lots of good food, enjoyed good company and of course, played the requisite board game that inevitably ends in a good natured argument. I'd say it's like my family's Christmas except with beer and who can really complain about that? :)

Reunited and it feels so good...Suds just loves his Aunt Dublin and he can't wait to meet his new cousin Ditka, Josh's brother's and fiancee's puppy. But we do wish he could make a friend that wasn't a relative.

The softer side of Brasky-Josh's dad found a new love for writing poetry. Here he is treating us to a reading of "Ode to a Puppy Dog". Other works include "Eight Man Crew" and "My Irish Lass." Maybe we should commission him to do something for our wedding? ;)

Upon our return to Des Moines, Josh and I celebrated Christmas with my family. After feasting on Tasty Tacos, we opened presents and Santa gave my brother, Dean, Optimash Prime. He's been a Transformers fan since the beginning so the elves did good when whipping up this potato head toy dressed in Transformers costume for him.