Just in the nick of time, I wanted to share more of our Christmas celebrating before the big dance!!! Here Stan and I were getting ready to go out with his mom, sister and brother-in-law. This year we decided to give the gift of time on both sides of our family and go out for a nice dinner together and get a sitter for the littles...so we could have adult conversation at an adult restaurant. We also got to dress up. ;)
Sweet Jennifer took these pictures for us and also kept our kids all three Saturdays in December!! We love our Jennifer and so do our kiddos! The Lord has been so good to us in providing such wonderful babysitters to love on our babies while we spend time together.
And, here we all are at Grill 584 in Burlington. We had lots of laughs, completed sentences, a meal where we didn't have to feed anyone except ourselves and we still ended up talking about those silly little rascals!! It was a treasured Christmas blessing, the gift of time.
Next stop...the Woods Winter program! It was so adorable watching Landon, there in the front row this year. He was a little bit shy to his mama - not really wanting to wave at me, but he did a great job with his moves and words to the songs. :)
Connor was so enthusiastic and so excited about the program. You can see him in the back row, singing his little heart out.
He was so precious. He came right by our seat and was so excited to deliver a Christmas gift to his sister (WOW!). The teachers passed out Hershey's kisses and the kids to give them to someone in the audience at a specified time. Well, they didn't plan on it being in the 70's...and you know what happens to chocolate in hot weather...much mess hot hands in hot weather...poor buddy's kiss melted and he did not have one to give out. Kay was there with us and tapped me gently to tell me that Connor was crying. He was so sad that he did not have a kiss to give to his sister. I tell you what, his heart and sweet spirit are what keep me going some days. I made sure to find a couple kisses for him and he was able to give Lindsay Jane the kiss he had planned. A treasured moment for me, indeed.
I did also go help in his class for their Winter Celebration. We played lots of games and did crafts. Lindsay Jane was my little helper and fit right in with Connor's little class. It was wonderful being there and being able to get to know his peers. Another gift of time. And, time, in this case, without my camera...a great thing sometimes.
Next stop...the Lynch Family Christmas gathering...Stan's mom's side of the family makes special arrangements to choose a date when everyone in the family can attend and celebrate the joy of the season together. Another gift of time...
Lindsay Jane and Maddie, looking so so cute! They played together so well this year!
All of the kids did, in fact!!
I tried my best to be an engineer on this train track but just cannot seem to see how it is supposed to all fit together, so I had to call for reinforcements.
The little girl table...
And the crazy boy table...
Sarah was such a big helper at the little one's table. She is a little mama for sure.
Sarah was so so sweet this year. She put on a concert for us. She had everyone alerted to her musical one man band...
And even let the other ones have a chance. It was pretty stinkin' cute.
Then, she broke out in dance with snoopy. I love this little girl's spirit. She was delighted the whole time she was performing and has such a sweet innocent grace about her. She was my highlight of our wonderful time there this year.
It probably had something to do with me knowing where her sweet mama was. Allison couldn't make it to the gathering at the last minute because her mom fell very ill. She ended up losing her mother the next night and my heart has just been broken for her as she grieves her mother in the midst of Christmas traditions and memories, flooding...along with her tears. Please keep her and her family in your prayers.
Teresa was our beautiful and more than capable hostess, as always...
Cole was a ham...as always...
Lindsay Jane was just smitten with desserts...as always...
It doesn't take much for these two to be entertained...What a blessed time was had by all. It was a treasure to share in the gift of time with family, especially as we reflected on our missing family member and all that she was experiencing. I think the gift of time is the best gift...maybe even more so this year.
Next stop...Jones family Christmas brunch at our house!!
My mom, her brother, sister in law and my cousins came over to enjoy a brunch with our whole family, who was in town for our wonderful Christmas dinner. Jill was targeted by Lindsay Jane very early one. She said, "I want to play with her..." pointing at Jill while Ramsey and I tried to talk to her. I guess a little one can recognize who might be a more agreeable playmate...
Pop sat at the kids' table. :)
John and Colin got to catch up about all things Navy and Kathy enjoyed the John and Colin sandwich. Look at these two big dudes!!!
My mom was so delighted to have time with her baby brother. The smiles on their faces say it all and remind me, again, of the importance of time spent together. I love and treasure this picture.
Adorbs...
Grown up table!! So nice to take pictures of grown ups!
The Jones family! So grown up and so lovely. One of my favorite moments of our time together was watching Jill and Ramsey banter back and forth about who was more type A. I certainly joined in the competition, knowing full well that is an area I can hold my own...
There is always time for checkers with Pop...
So thankful to have had these two and their precious GiGi stay with us all weekend. It was wonderful catching up and being able to stay updated on all of the events of their lives. John deploys again in January, so it was an extra special time for all.
Lindsay Jane and GiGi are just two peas in a pod...
They had no trouble ripping into the gifts that Aunt Kathy and Uncle Ramsey gave them!
Connor and Zaiya were sent outside for being too loud...BOYS...and Zaiya was trying to explain his little ponies to Connor here. I am not sure what happened, but eventually this turned into a throw the pony down on the grass aggressively...game...BOYS!
Cookie making time!!!
GiGi woke up from her nap wearing all of these necklaces and a tutu. She has a style of her own...and it is precious...
These two really got their concentration of...after all of that pony throwing...ha!
Such a treasured time. Making and decorating sugar cookies and Minkie cookies...Frey and Cole family traditions...
Connor, my little artist shared a lot of special cookie making moments with me over the season. He opens his little heart when he is being creative and I was fortunate enough to be present with him for that. He told me this was his best Christmas ever because he got to spend time with his family. Can't argue with that.
Making wonderful memories...
There were then gifts exchanged...to every child's delight...and thanksgiving hugs strongly recommended by the parents...
The adults did draw names and have one person to buy for. My dad got Stan and bought him the "Moose like Jaggar". My dad laughed and laughed at this thing dancing. Lindsay Jane has loved it since she first saw it, dancing the day away on many occasions to his jazzy jingle...
Time for another Christmas dinner with family!!
And...not to be left out...this guy is still up to mischief at our house...
Hope you enjoyed my update. 2 more days...2 more crazy fun filled days...2 more days until the biggest celebration of all, Jesus's birthday!
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