Christmas at the Hejnas '09

Several people have asked to see our home decorated for the holidays. Well, here ya go!

Steve and my mom did a great job on the outside

Our "pretty" tree

The Living Room

The reason for the season

You can't really see it, but the garland is lit too

Dining Room

All of the LOVELY Christmas cards we received

And, yes, that is a life-sized Santa you see in the mirror (Thanks Dad!)

View from the sofa in the Family Room

View as you enter the family room from the kitchen

Toby likes to lounge in front of the fire

This is our "fun" tree.

The ornaments on this tree have been given to us and each has a fun story.

Isn't this just picture-perfect?

Even our entertainment center has a hint of Santa

Ornament Exchange '09

As promised, here are some pics from the Ornament Exchange on Dec 19.

I was pretty proud how the invitations turned out. Not too shabby!

Me with Aaron

Heather, Amy, Kate & Katie

Aaron with his "two wives" (Missy & his ACTUAL wife, Aimee)

Missy, Heather & David

Katie, Kate, Amy & Jon

Steve, Aaron, Chad, Rob & Angie

We Were on the "Nice" List

Santa Claus has been to town and we HAD to be on the "Nice" List! This was an amazing Christmas!!!

Christmas Eve we spent the evening with Steve's Dad's (Doug) family.

Back Row: Natalie, Danielle, Emily, Kacy, Kathryn

Front Row: Matt, Kyle, Steve

Our first Christmas in our new home, Steve and I were very excited to wake up Christmas morning. My mom and dad came over and watched us open our presents to each other.

Steve bought me new golf shoes, a Titleist hat, Some new sweats and...

A ROOMBA!

Steve checking out his new book. He also got a Wii, a bluetooth and a couple of scarves from me.

Toby wasn't forgotten Christmas morning...Here he is with the new "carrot" my dad bought him.

Later in the day, Steve's Mom, Mark and two of his sisters came over to our house. It's the first year they made the drive our way and we were SO happy to have them

here. It really helped not having to run all over so we truly appreciated them being here.

Shannon, Steve and Allison playing Mario Kart

Steve's Mommy, Laurie, getting to "just relax" Christmas morning

Early evening Christmas day, we went to my parents house to celebrate with my family. Mom made a super yummy roast and the kids were in perfect form. Patrick told us all about Santa bringing him a bicycle (A "Woody bicycle" if you ask him) and was very excited to open more presents.

Mom and Dad gave P & Eva a play kitchen and OH how they loved it! Watching them play was just enough to make you melt.

My purse was put in an unknown location during that gathering, so I will post pics once I receive them from the other cameras in operation that night.

Really though, we are loved ABUNDANTLY by our families and are so blessed. Thank you to everyone for helping us make this Christmas SO very special. We love you all!!!

1st Annual Hejna Christmas Ornament Exchange

Saturday, December 19, was the 1st Annual Hejna Christmas Ornament Exchange Party at our house. It was GREAT fun!

I spent the afternoon cooking food and trying to get everything ready. At 7 people started arriving and I was still finishing things up. We had Filet Mignon on Garlic Toasts (SO yummy!), Thai Chicken Skewers, Teriyaki & Pineapple Meatballs, Shrimp & Avocado with Wasabi Mayo on Cucumber, Bruschetta, and then the general veggies, rye bread with dill dip and such.

It was so fabulous getting to spend time with friends. Sadly, we don't get together nearly as often as we should. I can't locate my camera at the moment, but as soon as I can I will post the pictures from the evening.