Finally, short on sleep, we celebrated one last time over a delicious breakfast with Mom, Dad and Nana. Gifties and quiet conversation, followed by our tired selves heading home again, home again. Thank you, folks, for allowing us to rest our heads in your abode.
#3 on the farm, Corey and Sara’s house. Admittedly, the driving time and a cold were getting the better of me by this time and I was feeling less social than I would have liked. Still, the Meyer gathering was well-hosted and enjoyable with plenty of food (as always), hot apple pie (a new tradition?) and good humor. Dad & Corey are pictured here with some fabulous gifts. Many thanks to Sara and Corey for super-duper hospitality!
#2 took place at Aunt Pat’s house, nearly as white inside as the mounds of snow outside. Life inside a house inside a snowglobe? Trying to wrangle Mateo (gotta move!) AND Lucy (share your food!) after a lengthy car ride proved a bit frustrating. Gifts exchanged, pizza ordered, all caught up on local news, and Pat’s delicious homemade pumpkin pie. Thank you, Aunt Pat, for having us!
Thanks to heavy snowfall, there were at least 4 days of Christmas this year. On Christmas Eve morning, our family celebrations were rescheduled leaving us with two blissful days to ourselves. Hot toddies, peppermint patties, sledding, movies, a bonfire, and all the time in the world – what a wonderful gift. Life inside a snow globe.
K is for Karen, my beautiful mother, who celebrated her 60th birthday last week. No way, you say! No way, I say! Youthful, active and generous – a do-gooder to be sure – she often serves as the voice of reason, the family glue and the uber-organizer among us. Happy birthday to you, Mom. We love you.
J is for jumping at XingXing’s awesome birthday party! (Really, J was for Jungle this week, but Jumping was so much more fun!) Aixing invited friends to join her for a private party at a fully equipped gymnasium to celebrate her 3rd birthday. The kids enjoyed jumping on giant trampolines and jumping into an enormous foam pit, but when the inflatable tunnel was introduced – oh boy! And then there was gift-opening and delicious cake and a night of really deep sleep. Happy birthday, Aixing!
Santa Claus came to town this week so we braved the cold and met him at the park. There was fire and cocoa to warm hearty souls and a decked-out gazebo where Santa and the town princesses greeted the children. Santa arrived in a shiny yellow fire engine, gave big hugs, and listened to wishes. Then, in a flash, he was gone…
