Baby's First C'mas

Vance's first Christmas with the Faraci family on Dec 23rd.

We traveled down to Roxbury, NY on Friday the 22nd to stay with Vin's family for a few days. Our trip down was uneventful--thankfully.

For the last 30 min of the trip however we were unlucky enough to get behind a VERY drunk driver. He was swerving all over the road and was lucky not to kill anyone. We watched helplessly as this driver swerved from ditch to ditch. Each time a car was coming at him he would drive into the headlights and barely missed four cars and a tractor-trailer. He was on the opposite side of the road more than he was on his own. He was in front of us and we kept our distance, but we were helpless--as no cell phones work down there. It wasn't until he finally came to a full stop in the road and turned off into a trailer park that we could get around him, take his license plate, and make of car, and then put as much distance between us as we could. We then stopped at Vin's brother's house and called the local sheriff. I have not idea what happened...it was very stressful to witness and you could say all of us on that road were very lucky that night!

Saturday we were surrounded by family from all over NY. Vin's sister, husband and two boys (Sue, Dan, Brian and Eric) were down from Oswego, both brothers and family (Thom, Lisa, Kenndey, and Matt) and (Gary, Carolynn, Shane, Kyle) as well as aunt Jean from Rochester. We had about 19 people and lots of food...Oh and gifts galore.
We made a trip out to see Grandma Cammer with all of us and had a great time. She met her great-grandson Vance for the first time. (that photo is above)
We ate four chickens--which by the way cannot be cooked in one pot, in one oven...we tried...it didn't work. We had lots of other food as well and deserts.
Opening packages with 19 people was a free-for-all. Vance received lots of gifts and love from everyone. We took the photo of Vance and Vin's baby picture to show the resemblance between the two. He is definitely a Faraci baby with the Codella cheeks! So CUTE!

On Sunday morning we decided to work off some of that food and played in the local school gym--Thom is the athletic director. Vin's family is full of athletes and we decided to play friendly dodge ball and kickball.
Let's just say by the time we were done, all the adults were tired, the kids worn out, Thom had a torn shirt by brother Vin from a tackle at 2nd base (since when is there tackling in kickball?) and I walked out (yes, walked out...) on a swollen knee and a sore back. We all acted like 12 year old, no matter what our age, but had a blast. Thank goodness for hot tubs and heat packs!

On Monday morning we stopped at each brothers house to check out their C'mas loot and then headed up to Nisky to stay with Angie's parents for a night. Vance received more gifts and love, and so did the pups. We ate a great turkey dinner, prepared by mom, and watched a few movies. On Tues we headed back to VT so Vin could return to work Wed.

That was Vance's first C'mas. He has lots of new clothes to wear and toys to play with.

Vin and I are back to work. I have a soccer tourney tomorrow from 10am-3pm. I will get my first experience with Vance on my belly for a day of soccer, we will see how well I can coach with a 4 month old helping... Then Sat we hired a sitter so Vin and I can go skiing/snowboarding. (I am not sure it is a good idea...because I have not been on my snowboard for over a year...yikes.) Then Sunday for New Years Eve we will head down to Bristol to spend it with friends.

Hope everyone had a great holiday...and happy new year...