Our holidays this year

We had a wonderful Christmas and New Years this year. It was a time for starting new traditions as our family grows and things change. I am grateful for a wonderful family that truly loves each other and genuinely enjoys being together. But we are also sad that we weren't able to celebrate with the Johnsons this year.

We started things out with church and then a gathering with the whole Wallgren family (well, almost whole, missed you Anne, Pete and Chris!) at my aunt and uncle's house...

Here's our part of the family with all of my sisters, brother, brothers in law and nieces.

Two of our nieces, Gwen and Sonja

Without the heaping pile of presents this year we found other stuff to do! The most popular activity was playing this dance game...Cam is in the zone.

Me and Matt

My mom and dad with two of their grandchildren, Sonja and Naomi

Then it onto my parents' house to continue the celebration and start our own sleepover tradition...

Here are some pics from Christmas morning...

Sonja

Caroline and Addison

Gwen with her prized American Girl doll

I love this sweet picture of Linnea and Naomi

I also love the new camera that Matt got me! Here we are testing out the smile detecting timer.

Matt getting some baby practice with our niece Naomi on Christmas at Marcia and Alan's house.

Another holiday tradition for our family is going to high tea at The Drake the day after Christmas. This year it was a smaller group and we had a great time.

My aunt Julie, my grandma and my mom.

My sister Greta, grandma, cousin Beth and me

And I love being able to see great friends who come in town for Christmas! Luke, Jaime, Molly and I all live in different cities (Chicago, San Fran, New York and Austin.) so it is rare when we all four get to be together. I guess we never took a picture with Jaime too, oops.


I love the week between Christmas and New Years...it still feels festive and relaxed. Matt had the whole week off from work so we enjoyed spending some extra time together (and trying to soak in the quiet before the baby comes as all new parents keep telling us to do!). Then as it always does, New Years Eve came so quickly. We spent ours this year with some friends.

Here are some of the girls.

And some of the boys...don't ask.

Up on the roof catching some of the downtown fireworks

Happy New Year! I think it'll be a good one...