This year for Christmas, one of Bronius' brother's came to visit with his family which meant we had the honor of hosting the very special Lithuanian Christmas Eve traditional feast called Kucios. We had such a lovely time with our Chicago family members! Here we are with the lovely house warming gift they brought us.
Ramune and I spent Christmas Eve preparing the feast while the boys were out enjoying the weather.
The boys love their cousin Mantas!!!
Bronius and his older brother Kazys. B is the youngest of 4 Motekaitis siblings who were all born and raised in Bryan/College Station once long ago. :)
While we were at the children's Mass, Senele and Ramune finished preparations for the feast. Here is Dominic lighting the Christmas candle and Jonas putting the baby Jesus in the manger. Milo got to light the Christmas tree. :)
We opened gifts to one another after the feast and then the midnight Mass crew left to sing in the choir and attend Mass.
Christmas pajamas and slippers courtesy of my sister Sarah and B's sister Milda!
And then some of my family came up from Houston to enjoy more revelry! Singing, stories, dancing, and spirits abounded!
Dominic told us riddles from one of his favorite nightstand books.
And there's never a shortage of musicians on both sides of the family on special occasions!
We spent the 26th visiting my Dad on his birthday and the feast day of his patron saint, St. Stephen. And then we headed to Galveston for more fun with the Motekaitis family. Senele treated us to dinner and a show at Moody Gardens. It was such a lovely evening out!
We got to do some neat things while in Galveston. Dominic, Bronius, Kazys and Manigirdas got to visit the Johnson Space Center while Senele, Ramune, Milo, Jonas and I visited the Galveston's children's museum, Moody Mansion and the Rainforest Cafe.
We attended Mass at St. Patrick's church (and forgot our umbrellas under the pew there, too) :) It was a beautiful way to celebrate the feast of the Holy Family. Dominic got to have a very special moment receiving communion there that he won't soon forget.
We also celebrated Kazys and Ramune's 18th anniversary with them!
Our last day at the beach house, El Flamboyan.
Our last stop in Galveston, Bishop's Palace.
Here are the boys having a good time in the gift shop. :)
Thank you Kazys for your excellent photography! Thank you to Senele for sponsoring such a wonderful weekend! We are so thankful for the gift and blessings of our faith and family. Wishing us all many happy, blessed and healthy days in 2015!
