Christmas 2021 [Part 1]

Fun times have been had by all over these past few days celebrating Christmas!  

12/23 dinner date out with cousin time back at home! 

12/24 anticipating can be stressful, I’ll leave it at that… 

… but when we pulled into the church parking lot something (or someOne) got into them and turned their attitudes around. It was a joyful contemporary service where our littlest guys, Jacob and Jayden, sang 2 carols as part of the Angel Choir! They performed beautifully. The service was an astronomical upgrade from last year when Pastor Charlie stood under a tent in the pouring rain preaching to us over the radios as we sat in our parked car. We counted our blessings of true fellowship that is for sure!! 

Please note facial expression differences between this and the forced family shot in our living room. Even with a mask I think the change is palpable and the latter are the moments we all must etch in our memories.  

Aunt Jessie joined us and was like a movie star, the boys competing for seats next to her 🥰

12/25 

“OPEN LAST”

Rubbing his hands with glee 

LOVED the morning of moving between new things and enjoying each other; can’t say it was restful, especially for Mike who was constantly called upon to put together something, hang new stuffy holders, or answer questions about the new Xbox. But it was quite enjoyable!!  Jayden made slime and played with play doh, Jacob with his kinetic sand and took a bath with his new motorized turtle, Nick completed his largest Lego set yet (540 piece AT-ST), Lukas learned his new Madden and we all enjoyed some Carpetball. We learned of the game back at Adoption camp and there’s a Wake Up Sleeper decal to remind us of that trip! 

In the afternoon, Paul, Jess, Matt and their families came up for more celebrating and a delicious dinner. The cousins had a boisterous time together.  The grown-ups enjoyed catching up since we don’t get to see each other as often as we used to, with new jobs, the distance and life with kids. 

Jess had bravely taken up the big job of Christmas cookie tradition, while Mike made a roast that was fall apart delicious. Gifts were shared and games were played!  Matt had refurbished the Xbox Lukas received and found a bunch of used games which they gifted to him and Nick, so he and Chad helped orient the kids and played a few rounds. 

It was a blessed time of reconnecting, one where the loss of one of our favorite people at the table inspired and reminded us all to love each other even more generously. 

Merry Christmas to all!