Baby's First Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve 2008 was extra special thanks to our wonderful little gift who came the month before. Everyone gathered at our house for the traditional (but slightly modified) Slovak  Christmas Eve dinner (served at lunchtime). We had oplatke (William's first I'm sure) with garlic and honey, (modified) mushroom soup, bobalky (sent from Ohio), pierogo, salmon, kielbasa, stewed apricots, homemade bread (Ohio), nut and poppyseed rolls and lots of tasty treats. The food was good, but Stephanie Rae was the main attraction. At least for me, she was! 

After this, we headed to Michael's parents to share a wonderful dinner and conversation with them. Normally Michael and I go to Midnight Mass, but I thought we'd play it by ear this time. We ended up staying and talking pretty late, so church would have to wait until tomorrow. When we got home and got the baby to bed, I finally had the time for my special Christmas tradition - sitting in front of my Christmas tree, listening to John Berry's Oh Holy Night CD and drinking a glass of wine. Aaahhh ... still makes me cry after all these years. Good tears though.