K family visit

The next day we welcomed a much anticipated visit from the K family. Emily wasted no time getting to know Pepper.

We made and decorated gingerbread cookies as our fun activity their first night here after a yummy meal of smoked brisket sandwiches.

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The next day we sent the older girls off to paint together. The Dads took the younger kids to a park for the afternoon. Then we went out for a date night when our babysitters returned.

This cute guy was worn out!

The next day, the K family took everyone out to Hibachi lunch. Everyone had a great time from big to small!

That afternoon we took the middle crew out to frozen yogurt and continued to enjoy the lovely warm weather.

That night we headed to explore the lights at Central Park.

The next day we had lots more time to play and then said goodbye in the afternoon.

What a fun visit! We can't wait to see them again.

Christmas with Lito and Lita

 Today the girls sang for mass and Stephen served, and then we were off to Lito and Lita's house for a Christmas gathering with yummy food, swimming (!!!), gifts and even a family sing along.

Merry Christmas!

We let the older girls sleep since they went to midnight mass and then opened family gifts mid morning. I just love all the smiles and hugs and thankfulness. It warms my mommy heart!

We had a nice lunch with Fr. Albert as our guest afterwards.

Christmas Eve

We attended the early vigil mass and then had a yummy gumbo (a group effort between Pawpaw, Austin and myself) and ham dinner, then opened gifts before Mariana headed back to church to sing for a later mass.

 

Afterwards, Pawpaw did the money raining from the ceiling fan. Allia decided she was too old to run around chasing money and stayed on the couch...

 

but as luck would have it, a few dollars floated into her grasp! 😂

Visiting Uncle James and Aunt Karen

We made a day trip with the whole family plus pawpaw to visit Uncle James, Aunt Karen and family. They usually make a trip here sometime during the break. But Aunt Karen just had surgery to repair a badly torn hamstring so we made the journey there this year. It was a great day full of adoring cute little Ryder, visiting, and outdoor fun!

After some fun on the playground he is building, Uncle James gave a tour of the property complete with barn and then brought out the tractor for a ride.

Austin commented that it was like a South American bus because he just kept picking up more and more people as he drove around until they were hanging off the sides!

Next came shooting BB guns.

And finally, opening Christmas gifts...

What a great trip. We all had a wonderful time.