Christmas 2010

Like clock work Owen wakes up at 6 am. My dad, mom, Tommy, Staci, David and I are all up and awake anxiously awaiting Owen to wake. Equipped with 2 coffee pots 6:05 rolls around and we are still waiting.......
So 6:30 rolled around and FINALLY Owen awoke- SO VERY excited, becaise he heard Santa. He was actually shaking. Owen says, "Momma Momma I heard Santa, lets GO!" He was so surprised so see his Grandma, Granddaddy, Uncle Tommy, and Aunt Staci in his room too. So, of course it was now time for Ian to wake up, ready or not. Poor Ian was so startled when Owen barged into his room. Next we HAD to check the table to see if Santa ate the milk and cookies. I thought Owen might explode when he only found crumbs and a empty glass. Owen dragged us into the living room to see if Santa left any presents. Ian just went along for the ride. Owen and Ian were so excited to see what Santa had left for them! Owen- a Thomas the Train table, and Ian an activity table. That was it, both boys were not intrested in ANYTHING else. The present unwrapping stopped there. We actually had to BRIBE them to open the rest of the presents. Lesson learned! Both Owen and Ian were in complete overload. I think favorit presents of the day was Owen, of course his train table, and his new Lightning MacQueen fishing pole from Granddaddy. And Ian was his activity table and new super soft and cuddly brown dog from Uncle Tommy. I believe everyone enjoyed all of their presents. David made the most delicous Christmas breakfast consisting of batter bread french toast bacon and sausage. Yummy! Later Nona, Tom, Annible, Patrizia, Roberta, Sonia, and Phyllis came over. It was so nice to share Christmas day and dinner with everyone. What a great Hogan family version of a Norman Rockwell Christmas.

Our Pig Roast December 18th

Before the sun rose at 3:30 in the morning, David and Tom were up preparing the pig for our first pig roast. I finally drug myself out of bed at 4 am to hold the flashlight while they loaded the pig on the spit. After 11 hours of Tom "driving the pig" (the spit literally has a car steering wheel on one end) it was finally finished. We had a great turn out to our roast. My parents and Staci, Nona, Tom, Anita, Sister Juliet, David's coworkers Trish, Charolotte, Veronica and their families, the Martin, Corrales, Caspary, Benner, Spellman, Bingmon, Hamliton families also came. What a great time! The pig was absolutely delicious, and the company was awesome. I just love having a house full of people. It is so nice to have everyone together.David and Tom did such a great job with the pig. David was so excited about this party, I think it might have been the highlight of his month. All the preparing and planning were well worth it. From my Dad and David building the beautiful picnic tables, to David building the benches and appartus for the spit. It all turned out so well. We will see if this pig roast will be an annual thing...

December 16- Santa on the Square

Every year the city of Ocala lights up the downtown square. I packaged up the boys and we met the Martin, Corrales, and Haines family. Owen was SO excited! The huge Christmas tree had no chance against Owen. He was drawn to it like a moth to a flame. We couldn't keep him away from it. The night was complete with a hay ride, hot chocolate and Santa. What a fantasic night! Owen, Brea, Logan, and Jaidyn had a blast chasing each other around the square. Ian, Ethan, and Noah even had a great time trying to steal each others bottles and pacifiers! haha! It was so nice that David was able to get off of work early and meet us there! Such a great family night!