Celebrating the Big Day!

Merry Christmas everyone! Yes, the big morning has come and gone and now that we have all had our naps, we can BLOG a little and let you know what has happened!

The traditional festivities all started last night with Vegilia, the traditional Polish meal for Christmas, at Ann Marie's parents house. In attendance were the whole Maynard clan including the newest addition, Dylan. After a fine meal came the time that Savannah had been waiting for, the opening of the presents! It was well worth the wait as Savannah and Dylan really racked up the toys and some fine donations to the college funds thanks for Mom, Dad and Grandma!

After we came home it was time for Savannah to prepare for Santa's visit. We first found out where Santa was on his long journey by visiting the NORAD tracking site and found that Santa was currently delivering presents in South America and would soon turn the sleigh and reindeer in the direction of North Carolina and Holly Springs! After preparing a plate of cookies and milk Savannah penned a note to Santa to leave with her goodies. Bedding down for the night came around 9:30 and as Savannah drifted off to sleep Mom and Dad took one last look at the NORAD site and found that Santa had crossed into North America via Florida to begin visiting all the good little girls and boys!

It was around 6:30 am when we awoke to the sounds of Savannah calling for Mommy, and when she came down the stairs the blurry little eyes found that Santa had not disappointed! As you can clearly see from the accompanying photos, the kid again racked up! She must have really been a good girl this year! Santa left Savannah a laptop computer, a digital camera, a puppy, a desk for artwork, a John Deere puzzle, some John Deere clothes, as well as some playdough and play foods for her kitchen! What a haul!

Around 10:00 the Grandparents came over to review the loot and share a great, although not totally nutritious, breakfast and to share the fun with Savannah. Uncle Dick stopped by from next door to share some gifts with the luckiest girl on the block and to catch up with the Kennedys, but mostly Savannah! A great time was had by all!

Well, we need to cut this one a little short as we are headed down to my parents in just a bit to do it all over again. Do we really think she needs more gifts? Not really, but who can say no to that face! So, till then.....

Michael (Did anyone see Santa eat my cookies?), Ann Marie (At least I got to take a nap) and Savannah (Next present please) Kennedy

Okay, that enough for Santa, the rest are MINE!

I do not think I will fit!

You know, this computer stuff is not that hard!

Up at 5:30 and I am still smiling.....

More photos to come courtesy of yours truly!

Only 2 more days....

Yes ladies and gentlemen, unless you have been under a rock or maybe just dreading the holiday season, it is upon us!  As we speak Ann Marie is out feverishly shopping for last minute items as Savannah and I sit here through a Little Einstiens re-run (not that she cares!).

We just wanted to post a little holiday cheer to all our friends who we cannot be with at Christmas, both here and abroad.  Savannah met with Santa last night here at Southpoint Mall and much to our surprise she ran right too him!  It was so cute!  She told Santa all about what she wanted (Toys) but did leave out what she has been telling everyone at school, specifically that she wanted a "brother and a sister" for Christmas!  Sometimes I think Santa is asked to do a bit much, don't ya think?

Well, its a short update until we Blog again on Christmas after the Jolly Old Fat Guy visits!  Till then.....

Michael (Are we done shopping yet?), Ann Marie (Do you know how many Talbots points I have?) and Savannah (This guy in the red suit is kind of cool!) Kennedy

Just a short one....

Hey everyone! Yes, I am posting for the second time in almost a week, but do not call the mental hospital quite yet as I am still sane! (But check on me around the 26th!)

We wanted to throw a couple of photos in here since we did not add too many last visit. These are just some random shots from the past few days but we thought you may enjoy them! Till I grace the keyboard again......

Michael (Yes I am sick again), Ann Marie (do you know where the shot glasses are?) and Savannah (get out of my way dogs) Kennedy

My hat is much better than yours Daddy!

You can have the T-Shirt, but the Petrone is MINE!

Out of the way people, I am riding here!

Hello Zoe!

Two months behind....

Okay, you can blame this one on me, but its getting difficult to find the time to keep everyone updated on the inner happenings with the Kennedy family. Yea, its a lame excuse, but it beats the truth! ;-)
So where do I start? Well, the last you heard from us (or Ann Marie since I was touring Europe) Savannah had undertaken the process of selecting the pumpkins for Halloween and I must say, she did a fabulous job! Now, I must be the first to admit, it was not as much fun as "pumpkin chuckin" in Rochester with our friends the Marcus's last year, but Savannah did the best she could without a trebuchet and a Ford van to aim at!

For the "Trick or Treat" and accompanying parties Savannah selected to be a "Pirate" this year, as well as a Duck which had been procured from the previous year. Ann Marie chose the ever popular "Nurse" outfit, but then again I do not remember any nurses at Duke or any other hospital stay I have been subjected to looking that good, even without heavy medication! I stuck to the easy to assemble "Mr. Baseball" outfit assembled from playing days gone by. On the evening of candy Ann Marie and our good friends the Dadd's toured the Sunset Lake neighborhood and collected enough sweets to please the entire family! Well done Savannah and Charlotte!

Next on the tour for the family was a Thanksgiving at the Maynard's in Harrisonburg, Virginia! We had not been to see Ann Marie's brother and his wife Anne since the birth of their first child, Dylan. Well for three solid week Savannah could not stop saying "Go see cousin Dylan", so plans were made to visit for the long holiday weekend. After a short 5 hour trip up and one painful stop at Chic-Fil-A, Ann Marie, Savannah and the pups made it to Joey's house (thanks for the gassing Mac!). Thursday while Joey and Anne Brie went for a bike ride to benefit the local food bank, we played at a local church park and visited with some of the farm animals in the surrounding farms. Later that evening a fine meal was shared around the family table along with some friends and thanks were shared in that we all had our health, our families were together and strong, and that it had been a wonderful day to share together. After too
much turkey, green bean casserole, veggies and sweet potatoes (yes, we had dressing but not until we had finished dinner, but that's another story!) we put the kids to bed and shared stories and great laughs well into the night. Friday brought a visit to the local kids museum, some great coffee and scones and more turkey in the form of leftovers! Some play time in the park was right on time after lunch which was followed up with dinner at a friends home and a movie to round out the night. Its nice to spend time with family!

The next stop would be the Pharmalink Holiday party here in Raleigh! As many of you may know already, Ann Marie resigned from PPD a couple of months ago to join Pharmalink and its growing business. While this was the first time I met many of the group I have to say I saw a lot of old friends in the crowd as the pharmaceutical industry is a RTP melting pot! I am not going to say much about the party as I will let the photos go the talking, but I cannot leaving this subject without saying that some people should dance and some should not, you be the judge! It was a great time and I cannot wait for next years party! "Did someone request Kenny G?"

The smell of Merlot had not cleared the air when it was time to pick out the 2007 version of the Kennedy Christmas Tree! We went to our favorite lot near our home and selected a fine tree to grace our home of which Savannah was particularly proud! She did not care for the saw which the men used to freshen the cut on the base, but she thought the netting that was applied for transport was cool! After an evening of decorating the house was ready for the holidays and the next stop on our tour!

Last night (December 8th), we held our Kennedy Christmas party for the first time in a couple of years. The event was well attended by family, friends and neighbors and a good time was had by all! The food was superb (Thanks Caswell from Southern Magnolia Catering), the beverages flowed freely and the stories that were shared were only outdone by the kids in attendance! Funny, 3 years ago we would have been lucky to see two kids at our parties, there were almost a dozen in attendance this year! What changed? HAHAHAHA! From 5 to 9 the party rocked on and the lights finally went out for the night at midnight, but we are already planning for next year! (See Dick & Mary, you should plan your vacations around your next door neighbors parties!)

Finally, today we celebrated Ann Marie's Grandmothers 85th birthday with a brunch at the Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill. In attendance were Ann's parents and Aunt and Uncle from New Jersey as well as the guest of honor, Grandma (or as Savannah calls her, Babcia!) It was tough to eat after feasting the night before, but we somehow managed to pull through and down a plate or three, then we toured the hotel that is beautifully decorated for the Holidays with a theme of "The Twelve Days of Christmas".

Well, I guess that gets us somewhat up to date with the happenings around the Kennedy's in North Carolina so without further adue I will sign off for tonight with the promise I will update you all again after the "Big Guy in Red" visits on the 25th of December. So till then.....

Mike "Who took the Vodka", Ann Marie "Red Hot Dancer" and Savannah "Is it Christmas Yet?" Kennedy

Ever have one of those days?