Family First

Holidays are always a time we love to spend with our families. This Christmas season was no exception. Saturday was Sommer game night at Aunt Terry's house in White Oak. With the number of people planning to attend (Terry, Kevin, and Ben; Martha, Doug, Jeff, Dorin, Tasha, and friends; Christina; Mom and Dad; Mark, Lorraine, Alyson, Rachel, and Maria; Grandmother; Cindy and Sophie; and Greg, Joey, Jay, and me), what game(s) would enable all of us to participate? BUNCO is the name of the game! Many of us had never played bunco before, but this dice game is something that all ages were able to enjoy. Alyson even took second place! More importantly, we were able to spend time with and enjoy the company of relatives whom we do not see often.

Since Cindy and Jimmy were bartending at Joe Renner's brother's wedding, Jay needed a place to stay. At Casa su Putnam, Jay spent his first over-nighter. Jay is such a sweet, good-natured baby that people enjoy holding him~even Greg. Jay was passed around from person to person at Aunt Terry's house with each person not willingly giving him up. Jay and Maria did a little face-to-face time. I hope they grow up to be friends like Joey and Alyson. Anyway, Jay slept until around 4:00 am when I woke up, changed him, and put him back in bed with me. Cute little snuggler went right back to sleep, but no such luck for me. I could never sleep with Joey in my bed either-I was always afraid I would crush him. Giving Jay back to Cindy at church on Sunday morning was bittersweet, but I know I will get more time with my godson.
Joey absolutely loved having Jay at our house. Joey was a big help-he grabbed napkins and held bottles for his little cousin.

After mass on Sunday, Joey and I went home to pick up Greg so we could drive to Dayton. Grandma Janet took us (Carole and Roger; Nancy and Ed; Michele and Quentin; Greg, Joey, and me) to a very nice clubhouse for brunch. Ed had shown our house plans to the family on Christmas morning, and everyone was very positive about the layout and look of the house. Joey did ask that his room have a fireman's pole and ladder to get downstairs. Ed thought that was a great idea:) Joey always loves spending time with his cousins-Quentin is no exception. He is very patient with Joey, despite the age difference. All in all, a very nice way to spend the afternoon.

My birthday is quickly approaching and I am feeling a bit apprehensive. I have never minded, in fact I usually embrace, my birthday. I love celebrating my day, however, the number 37 is almost not mid-thirties anymore. It's bordering on late 30s and getting a tad too close to 4-0. Depending on the day, I may act/feel like I'm still in my teens (except for the knees) and 20s, sometimes even early 30s, but not the decade after that. 40 is the age that I envision my parents, even though I know better. Oh well, what does one do but accept and enjoy!

Papa Pete in Town

Greg's dad came for his annual Christmas with us. Joey loves spending time with his Papa Pete as evidenced by Joey scooting closer and closer until he was almost in Pete's lap. Unfortunately, Pete's stay was short but sweet. Friday night was ours, but Saturday belongs to Michele, Quentin, and the University of Dayton Flyers!

Putnams Go Green

Last year everyone received bathrobes from Greg's mom in our favorite colors. Greg's, Joey's, and mine were cornflower blue-my favorite. This year my mom made every family matching pajamas.
The cost of the flannel material...a few dollars.
The time Mom spent sewing...a whole lot of hours.
The look on each person's face when he/she realized that, yes, he/she would also be changing into matching jammies...priceless.
Let's take a look.

Twas the Night Before Christmas...

Traditionally, we begin celebrating Christmas on December 24 with Greg's side of the family. Santa stopped by before we arrived and left a few things for Joey before traveling to other parts of the world to make deliveries. Chief on Joey's list at Grandma Carole's was a Nintendo DS which he (and Quentin, Greg, and Matt) happily played with for a while. Since Joey had been bursting at the seams with excitement all day, "a while" wasn't quite long enough, but we still had to eat before opening more gifts. It was pretty cute when he went to the kitchen and asked, "How can I help to speed this up?" and then took a dishcloth to wipe down the counters. Joey enjoyed playing Santa and passing out presents almost as much as he enjoyed opening his own presents, maybe even as much. He very proudly gave me the beads and Greg the dog that he had formed in clay with Aunt Nancy.
When we arrived home, Joey was very tired and ready for bed, but not too tired to remember to put out Santa's cookies and 9 carrots for the reindeer. He also didn't want to miss his reading time so we read The Christmas Story followed by Clement C. Moore's The Night Before Christmas. Not long after, Joey was zonked out. He will definitely be ready for tomorrow.

Twas Several Days Before

Joey insisted on wearing his Santa hat to bed. How cute is he!
Joey had been asking if he could work at the Christmas tree farm, so this weekend I took him with me. I was afraid he would bore easily and called Mom and Dad just in case I needed an emergency removal. Unnecessary precaution! Joey was a big help-he pulled a tree for a customer, carried twine, played with a dog, and entertained the children who visited. He did end up leaving close to 2:00, but only because he was swayed by the opportunity to play with Sophie at Granma's and Grandpa's house. (They played gorilla rides.) Joey claims that he would like to help at the tree farm again. He was so much fun and thought that it was cool to hang out with Aunt Cindy and Mommy-he's hired!

Snow Days

Joey and I enjoyed our first snow day of the school year yesterday-doing laundry, wrapping presents, and cleaning his room! He also created his own sled run-down the slide and through the back yard on his snow board. It looked like fun, but I won't be trying it any time soon. Joey is taking full credit for the day off of school because his teacher told him to wear his pjs inside out and it worked! John Gumm is calling for more snow tomorrow morning so I'm sure Joey will have those pjs on inside out and backwards again tonight:)