Well here is the Christmas post that is LOOOOONG overdue, coming to you days before Valentine's Day.
I will say, I feel somewhat comforted by the fact that it hailed at our house today. Yes, even in sunny Southern California, it rains and hails and on a day like today, it seemed fitting to finish up my Christmas post!
So grab a little hot chocolate, sit in front of the fire and finish looking through these memories before the sun comes out and it's 75 degrees again (like last weekend!)
Here it is...
~ Christmas and New Years 2012-13 ~
This year, Christmas was extra special, since we were able to spend time with ALL the kids' aunts and uncles for the first time since Rylee was born! We started up north with John's side of the family and though we were with them a week, the time flew by as we soaked up precious moments and made more sweet memories together until we had to go...
~ The whole clan ~
...even Auntie Erin coming in from Arizona and Uncle Michael and Aunt Emily from Oxford!
Grammie and her girl...
Happy boys...
Grammie, Papa and Rylee Joy...
Together again!
The Christmas Tree photo of 2012...
(I'll explain Cole's glasses later...no, they're not his!)
Attempting a group hug, which quickly turned into a pile on the floor...
Gingerbread House making with Uncle Michael and Aunt Emma...
Grammie's 60th Birthday Party...Surprise!
Friends and Family celebrating Grammie!!!
We woke up one morning to....SNOW in the backyard!
It was the first time in 20 years, John remembers this happening...
Games with Aunt Emily...
And, Cole wearing Uncle Michael's old glasses from when HE was a little boy. We took the lenses out so he won't do any permanent damage...Cole wore these ALL week!
Reading with Grammie...
A family gathering wouldn't be complete without the brothers' serenade...
After dinner, Uncle Michael told the funniest story about a memory from childhood...
{these moments are priceless!}
Aunt Emily is now "Dr. Emily" and was taking the boys through the most interesting study she did as part of her time in Oxford, studying how children perceive God. It was fascinating to watch her with the boys and the listen to them answer the questions she asked about God!
More smartie-pants in our family! Auntie Erin is finishing up her masters in Speech and Language Pathology and Uncle Michael is now "Dr. Michael" having finished his doctorate in Theology from Oxford! Whew! Oh...and there's Cole in those glasses again, this time adding Auntie Erin's hat!
The kids performed a Christmas play of the Nativity...
{Ryder started out reading from Luke 2}
Grandpa Fuzzy watches on...
Cora sings "Away in a Manger" while Ryder plays it on the piano...
The angel tells the shepherds to go see the KING!
The sweet audience...
As usual, the kids were spoiled with presents!
Soooooo thankful...
...The Family Photo Shoot of 2012...
Just the girls...
With Grammie...
Handsome boys...
Fun Auntie Erin!
With her boy...the reason she's almost a Speech and Language Pathologist!
Giggling with Grammie and Papa...
...The Whole Crew...
What a GIFT it was to be together again! There was a time, we all lived in the same state, many of us just minutes away from each other's front door. Now that we are we are all states and even oceans away, we take each moment spent together and treasure it as the God-given blessing it is.
We love you, family and can't wait until the next time we're all under one roof again!
***
~ New Year's at Hume Lake ~
It's been a tradition in our family, for the past 20 years, to spend New Year's at Hume Lake Christian Camp. This year we were so thankful to have my brother and his new wife and son join us for the first time! It was a bit of a different year, however, since Cole got sick early in the trip, and stayed in his room most of the time. We took turns staying in the room with him during meals.
Gramma and Cole read while the rest of us head to breakfast...
We were so thankful for SNOW!
Derek, Laura and sweet little Liam...
Sledding is always a favorite...
Even Auntie Laura and Liam went for a run!
Can you tell who loved it more?
{Sorry Laura, but Liam's little look of glee was too cute to pass up!}
The kids just LOVE their new cousin!
He's stil deciding on all of us, though...
{one of our favorite faces!}
As you can tell, this one had fun in the snow...
Mother, son walk...
Hayrides and Hot Chocolate!
A little slice of heaven...
She's a brave one...
Cora with her rice cakes instead of the pizza they always have...oh the joys of food allergies!
Happy New Year!
After years of spending New Year's at Hume since I was in Jr. High, this year was our last Family Camp. Leaving this year, I left so grateful for the GIFT these past 20 years have been...years that toward the end, my children built memories in too. The boys especially, have absolutely LOVED the time we've spent at Hume Lake over the years and will always remember the traditions we held here that were so meaningful to us all. Thank you, Mom and Dad...for beginning a tradition of intentionally coming together as a family every year, to start it out together.
Though we say goodbye to Hume, we know many more memories together are ahead!
Thank you Jesus, for family.
We don't take one moment together for granted.
All you give us is your grace to us...
and for time spent together in your creation, we are thankful!!!
Looks like you had a whole lot of fun and love, love, love
the family and individual photos !!! And to think that you are a part
of our family.....YAY !!
LOVED all the pics. LOVE how both of your families love JESUS .