The Family Holiday Season

Ok, here we are again, another year has passed and I am sat here typing up a summary of the past couple of weeks which for all of you I’m sure is a busy time.

We actually feel fairly relaxed with it all, although spending a sustained amount of time in each others presence can sharpen things up a little he he….

It all started with what has become an annual occasion – spending Christmas Eve with my uncle Bob and his/my family. It as always is nice to catch-up with cousins and other relees who all were there. This is the first xmas where Harry really gets it this time and he certainly got into the Christmas spirit ! It was lovely watching him interact with everyone and it was very sweet seeing him discover this crazy occasion which will be a part of his life forever.

Christmas day was a first for everyone in that my cousin Ben invited us around for a Turkey meal with his new extended family. Again it was a fun time and he is a dab hand in the kitchen producing a very good bird enjoyed by all !

Here is a film which sort of summarizes our exploits at this time:

Boxing Day (Dec 26th) saw us drive 5hrs to Pittsburgh to stay with Barbara’s mum Nancy and see her relees. It was nice in that her uncle Ray and Aunt Cheri had all their boys home from the West Coast for the first time in 15 years and arranged a party. They live our side of PIT and we drove straight there after randomly passing the spot where United 93 (Sept 11th) plane came down – we decided to stop off and have a look…… a very moving peaceful experience.

What was really nice was that as well as Barbara’s cousins, a couple of them have children around Harrys age – I think that makes them 2nd cousins to Harry….? so he had real fun playing with his new found friends Tyson, Ava and Lily (who is still a baby).

After that fun reunion we went home to Nancy’s house and stayed a few days. We kept ourselves busy by going to see the Steelers play (Xmas prezzie for Jon) and also take Harry to the Pittsburgh Aviary to see some birds – he loved meeting the Penguin up close. Finally on New Years eve it snowed so he had a ‘Superfun’ (his word) time playing in the snow with his parents who enjoyed scoring a couple of direct hits on each other throwing snowballs……

Anyway see the below film for a summary of this time and also check out the photos of the Belsick/Hogue family and Harry with his beloved Grandma Nancy who is as always so generous with us and her grandson.

Barbara's mum's side of the family !

Harry, Tyson & Ava

Cousins Together

Er... how does this toy work again......?

Snowtastic !

Harry and Grandma !