Christmas & New Year 2009

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you all! December is always a crazy month preparing for the holiday's, and it is hard to believe that another year has flown by.

As always, healthcare doesn't stop for the holidays and Joe had to work both Christmas eve and day this year. The Rieck's Christmas was held on Christmas eve as always. This year it was hosted by the soon to be newly weds, cousin Jason & Rachel. Joe, Cody, myself and our doggies celebrated our Christmas late that night since Joe had to go into work again on Christmas day. It was a long day & night, & we all fell asleep in the living room. It was a great day though. After Joe got home from work on Christmas day, we had my brother Tony & family over around 5pm for a dinner. The kids had fun tearing open all of their gifts and then playing together afterwards. We watched "A Christmas Story" and "Elf" and then called it a night. I'm not sure what happened, if my brother miscounted heads when he left, but some how we ended up with one of his. My nephew Jason stayed with us the next couple of nights and Cody and him stayed up giggling like two little girls til all hours while playing the new Mario Bros game that Cody got for Christmas.

After Christmas, we kept my niece Courtney for a few days while my brother Tony & family went out of town for a hockey tournament. I think she was a tad bored since Aunty Neasy does not have the energy she normally does now that she's pregnant. I did take Courtney, Cody, and his friend Romeo sledding. We were also able to attend a Christmas/New Year gathering at one of Joe's cousin Lori's house. Lori & her husband had an open house and we were able to go which was great since our schedules do not always connect. We had a great time visiting with family, talking with Aunt Jane, cousin Dan, Uncle Larry, Uncle Frank, cousin Lisa, and many, many other relatives that we just don't get to see enough. Most could not believe how tall Cody had gotten, and it was great to hear all of the congratulations and well wishes on our pregnancy.

Cody was invited to a friends house to celebrate New Years. Joe had to work a 12 hour shift, so I baked him his favorite dish (baked zitti) and we had a quiet, relaxing evening. Joe crashed about 9 o'clock, but I managed to stay up past midnight. With all the hussle & bussle of the holidays it was kind of nice to end the year quietly.

Thanksgiving 2009

After a sad start to the month of November, we ended it quite well. We had a great Thanksgiving this year. We cooked dinner at our house and my brother Tony & Family came over for dinner and football. Later after our food settled a bit we all went outside for a friendly little game of football! It was pretty chilly out there, but we all bundled up and played a great game. It was tied 21 to 21 and that is where we had to end it, which was good so the kids were all happy knowing nobody lost. Hopefully we can make that an annual event. After the game we all came inside to warm up and have some dessert. The kids had so much fun running around playing hide & seek. The older boys were busy playing video games. When all was said and done, we have to say that this was one of the most fun and memorable Thanksgivings in a very long time. We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving too!