Well, it's over. Christmas has come and gone yet another year. I really can't believe it's 2012 already, and almost all my Christmas decorations are packed up and put away for another year. Crazy. Even though is seems like Christmas starts earlier every year (ornaments next to the labor day cook out gear, wha?!) everything seems to speed up once December hits. And what a crazy December it was.
This December I celebrated, either in spirit or in person, with several friends who got married. To Jared and Kara, Jeff and Kaitlyn, and Jon and Anna, I wish you all the best as you start your married lives together. Marriage rocks.
I mourned the loss of my Uncle Jim and former schoolmate, Jon. Your families will be constantly in my prayers as this new year starts. I pray for the grace of God to find you in new and miraculous ways, and that His love is evidenced in your lives and the lives of those around you.
11.5 hours, several mountains, many tears (from Aria) and much exhaustion later, we arrived at my grandparents house. We crashed into bed at 2:30am only to be awoken by the sickening (literally...) sounds of Aria vomiting all over her porta-crib at around 6:30am. And thus began the saga now known as "The Christmas of the Flu." It circulated through almost the entire family (although I manged to miss that round) just in time for a respiratory flu to hit Josh, then me, and finally Aria. Despite the sickness, it was great to see my grandparents, whom we hadn't seen since last June, and hang out with cousins and - you guessed it - more food.
Friday afternoon, we left VA, and headed to WV to hang out with my birth family. We spent Friday night in WV watching the "happy half" of the Sound of Music, opening more gifts and eating more delicious food (shoutout to Bree for that fabulous schnitzel with noodles!) The next morning, we feasted at IHOP and started the journey home, thankfully cut in half due to the WV stop-over. Aria may never get in her car seat ever again after this Christmas.
This December I celebrated, either in spirit or in person, with several friends who got married. To Jared and Kara, Jeff and Kaitlyn, and Jon and Anna, I wish you all the best as you start your married lives together. Marriage rocks.
I mourned the loss of my Uncle Jim and former schoolmate, Jon. Your families will be constantly in my prayers as this new year starts. I pray for the grace of God to find you in new and miraculous ways, and that His love is evidenced in your lives and the lives of those around you.
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| Aria with Granny and Papa on Christmas Eve. |
Our Christmas was nothing if not memorable and crazy busy. We started out with Christmas Eve at Josh's grandparent's house. This annual tradition includes lots of food, very close bodily proximity to everyone else in the family and an over-abundance of useless wrapping paper at the end of the night. We all took turns getting family pictures in front of the tree and Mt.Christmas Present. We made it home around 10:30 with more toys than Aria will know what to do with and cookie cutters, with which I will have the same dilemma (Thanks, Shelby!)
Christmas Day started out with just our little family and Aria tearing into her gifts. Josh and I had done our
Christmas Day started out with just our little family and Aria tearing into her gifts. Josh and I had done our
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| Aria playing with Auntie Beth at Granny and Papa's |
own "Christmases" a little earlier, so the whole morning could be spent with Aria. She most thoroughly enjoyed herself and added to the growing pile of toys that need a home. We then went to church for a short service with our wonderful church family. It was short and sweet and exactly what you'd expect for a Christmas service. The kids got involved and there was lots of singing. Perfect. That afternoon, we went to Josh's brother's apartment to celebrate Christmas with his family. More toys, more wrapping paper and more delicious food. :) Later, around 4:00pm, we headed out of MI to surprise my grandma in VA.
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| Aria with Papa Moore, after giving them a Christmas surprise |
11.5 hours, several mountains, many tears (from Aria) and much exhaustion later, we arrived at my grandparents house. We crashed into bed at 2:30am only to be awoken by the sickening (literally...) sounds of Aria vomiting all over her porta-crib at around 6:30am. And thus began the saga now known as "The Christmas of the Flu." It circulated through almost the entire family (although I manged to miss that round) just in time for a respiratory flu to hit Josh, then me, and finally Aria. Despite the sickness, it was great to see my grandparents, whom we hadn't seen since last June, and hang out with cousins and - you guessed it - more food.
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| Jen (the baby sister;) ) and I at IHOP |
And that was our Christmas.
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| Merry Christmas, from our family to yours! |
You're ahead of me with the Christmas decor all packed away...my goal was January 1st, but alas! =) Love the pics!
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