Christmas 2018

It never cease to amaze me how quickly Christmas comes and goes.  So much gets pack into a month and there's so many feelings that go with it all that can't be captured in words.  Hopefully the pictures will spark some of that when we look back on it.

 We got some presents from some our favorite people.  Our respite worker (Ms. Mary) has become a favorite fixture in our home for everyone, especially Bubby.  He will grab her hand as soon as she comes to go swinging in the back.  Pumpkin always is darling with her and so she's become an adopted Grandma of sorts, bringing story books or small toys from the dollar store.  We love her!

 The Harrisons are a couple I visit with often and has always been so kind to make candy trains for us at this time of year.  This year she gave up blankets as well everyone loved them!

 We found some unique light shows around the valley and went out in our PJs to enjoy them as a family.

 Kent's siblings and their families came to our home for the Christmas Eve party.  We see each other so little so there's always some catching up to do.

 These two are such hams together!  We just wished they weren't on the other side of the valley because they love each other so much!

 Sitting around waiting for the big man in red to appear.

 We finally had a tiny little one for Santa's lap and heard the good news of Jess and her baby to come.  Just Bug-love and Pumpkin sat on Santa's lap this year and Santa felt the need to make her Christmas wish come true by giving her a Paw Patrol stuffed animal.

 Pumpkin's response to her gift was perfect delight, on everyone's part.  She won't be this little much longer so I love seeing the magic that it is when wishes come true.

 These guys are too big and cool for Santa but they sure had fun playing games together.

Christmas day is always a joy.  In general we've tried not to make it about big things, most of the kids get their presents for each other at a second hand store or dollar store.  We do try to make it about thoughtfulness, something they know the other person will enjoy.  This year Bud was particularly thoughtful and it showed in how his gifts were recieved.   It warms my soul to see this sensitive side finding expression.

 Snuggles are always the best!

 A surprise gift of slippers, even a Pokemon themed one for Bud which has seen a ton of use since.

 After the chaos everyone settled into books and puzzles.

It was Ms. Mary's birthday so I had prepped a cake, a rather sad attempt at a chrismas tree, and we stopped by in the early afternoon to surprise her.  We got to meet one of her sons that we hear so much about and help to get Chloe her dog dressed for the day!

Things were fairly quiet and content post-Christmas. So much satisfaction was found in their new art sets that the spent the remaining hours on that. We started a 500 piece puzzle as a family on the 29th and finished it in 4 days.  Pumpkin won some tickets to go to the movie theater so I went with 3 of them to see Mary Poppins which we loved.

Park days with friends filled the in between times.  Bud got a kick out of digging tons of holes with connecting tunnels.  Somehow he got everyone into the fun.

We also celebrated our Baba's birthday.  Kent bought his own Cannoli cake from a special bakery not too far from his work place.  We place it in our fridge and somehow Bubby got to it and decided to redecorate it.  I asked if he wanted a new cake and he said, "Are you kidding?  this is the stuff memories are made of!" so we piled the remnants onto a plate and plugged in some candles!

It was a wonderful holiday filled with laughter and fun.  I'm so blessed to have this crowd to grow old with!