Christmas Memories

This Christmas, we loaded up our van (oh boy did we fill it up... I have the tendency to overpack!) and drove up to Northern California to spend Christmas with my parents and brother's family. What was supposed to be a 6 hour drive ended up being 9 for various reasons... But, we arrived in time for a lovely home-cooked meal from my mom. Julia was so excited to be at Grandpa and Grandma's house! She made herself right at home, exploring the house and finding all the toys.
 
We weren't able to hang out with my brother's family as much as we had hoped since the stomach flu was visiting their home that week... But, the healthy ones stopped by a few times and finally by Christmas Day everyone was healthy so we got to go to their house for a big family Christmas.
 

 Fast asleep on our drive up, holding her snowman (aka "Frotchy" for Frosty)

 Uncle Phil holding Caleb

 Ethan and my dad

 Sunday morning - Caleb and Julia in their Christmas outfits

 Uncle Ethan, showing Matteus, Georgia, and Annalee pictures on his iPhone

 Annalee and Ella playing cards with Grandma

Grandma loved holding Caleb

 My sweet boy

Christmas morning

 Caleb's 1st Christmas - 5 1/2 months old

 Julia and Caleb.  It was funny taking this picture because Caleb can't quite sit up by himself yet.  So, we told Julia she would hold him up.  Well, she kept saying, "He's sooooo heavy!"  Luckily we got this picture which is decent of her.  But Caleb looks a little ditressed.  :)

 I am so blessed - I get to spend every day with these 2 precious kids!

 Me and my little guy

The four of us (I think the kids were looking at Grandma or something...)

 We got Julia some dishes & cups.  She spent about an hour playing with them Christmas day.  So cute.

Aunt Lita (my dad's sister) holding Caleb.  It was so great to spend time with Aunt Lita.  I haven't seen her since our wedding 5 years ago.

 Phil and Jaime hosted a wonderful meal on Christmas Day in the evening.  It was so great to finally see Jaime since she had been taking care of her sick kids that week.

 Jaime's parents were there as well.

 Everyone took turns holding Caleb.  Here's Uncle Phil with Caleb.

 Ella and Annalee

 Uncle Ethan with Matteus

Georgia

 Matteus, Georgia, and Julia playing on the hammock

 My brother's 5 kids did a play for us of the Christmas Story.

 

One of my favorite memories - going on a walk around the lake with my dad, Ethan, Julia, and Caleb.  Julia walked about half of the way (I think it was 1 1/2 miles).  She really enjoyed seeing the ducks, geese, and black swans.