Extra Holiday Fun with the Rittersons

I don't really know how this tradition got started, but I know that the first Sunday after Christmas each year we have celebrated both Christmas and the New Years with my mom's side of the family. My Mom-Mom I feel  was the driving force behind getting together for the holidays. Growing up it was like there are two times a year that this side of the family gets together, and you do everything you can to make sure that you are there. Those two times of the year were this Christmas/New Years get together and Memorial Day (I have yet to meet anyone more patriotic than my Mom-Mom). Sure it has been hard to celebrate without her there, but it is really good to see the family still getting together despite her no-longer being with us.

This year Logan was quite the hit. When signing up for things to bring, I asked if it was okay if I brought my appetite and my cousin's reply was, "Only if you bring Logan too!" It was nice that there were a few kids in the next generation at the party too. Logan and Cole are only a few weeks apart, and Paul (the young man that is to awesome to put in words) is 4 years old. Some highlights (besides seeing all the family from MD, DE, and PA) were playing Pirates of the Caribbean with Paul, seeing my Aunt Arlene and cousins (Deb, Kel, Jen, Cathy and Jenine) get to spend some time with Logan, and eating some of the best foods that only come around once or twice a year.

Here are some pictures from the night:

Logan getting a preview...or first dibs on the food.

Renae got a nice little Reigner family line up.

One of the few times that I can ever remember Logan turning down food.

There is my man Paulie.

Grandpa stepping in and taking control so that Renae could get a plate of food.

The food line...always well worth the wait!

Jeniffer and Cole...this turned out to be a great shot by Renae.

LOL, Logan stole his pacifier, but because we don't use them he had no idea what to do with it.

Aunt Arlene with her great-nephew!

Loved watching Aunt Arlene playing Airplane with Logan while Mom-Mom would tickle attack him! Seeing my mom and Aunt Arlene like this gave me a glimpse of probably what they were like when they were younger.

The tickle hand waiting for Logan to be flown in...

Brittany and her dog both decked out in the Baltimore Ravens gear...I can't hate this year, because the Eagles stunk this year.