Sleepover

Aunt Heidi's annual Christmas sleepover was planned by Aubrey this year and was to be hosted at my house a few days before Christmas. And then people started testing positive for COVID-19. Sigh. So we made the decision to postpone the sleepover. I was worried we would all spread COVID-19 at the sleepover and then get everyone sick for Christmas. That would have been awful!

So a few days after Christmas when everyone was testing negative, and just two days before everyone needed to start heading back to their various states from here to the East Coast, everyone descended on my house and created a glorious mess.

We painted, made decorations, decorated cookies, and ate Chex mix.

And there were cousins. What more could a person ask for?

We did offer everyone a bed or air mattress, but not everyone wanted to partake. This little dude decided under Sam's bed was the place to be. 

They woke up in the morning to a quick breakfast and then everyone headed out to go sledding. I took a few minutes to enjoy the quiet, albeit paint covered, house.

The Big Event!

Christmas morning came and I insisted on a photo before we began the gluttony. I do not know why Appa keeps getting forced into photos. She does not know either. 

Look at how cute they were eleven years ago! My heart hurts and is also proud. It's very confusing.

The kids spoiled each other. Libby bought each sibling a pair of Converse, Ethan bought everyone exactly what they asked for, Grace and Sam spent all their money on gifts for everyone. The presents Michael and I bought for the kids were eclipsed by what the kids bought for each other. I got some lovely gifts as well, but, truly, I was so thankful to see how caring and thoughtful my children can be. Sometimes it is easy to forget.

Christmas Prep

We started the Christmas season with Winter Garden Aglow. My work gave us free tickets, so Michael and I gathered all the children that were available that evening and headed into the cold. Cocoa, cookies, popcorn, my family, and my coworkers. It turned out to be a wonderful evening. 

Sam couldn't take a single picture without making a weird face, but I still love him. 

We saw the lights, Ethan scared some teenage girls, we took some pictures, and just enjoyed our evening. Back to the scaring of girls. There was a metal platform the males of my family discovered made a loud ringing sound when jumped on. While some teenage girls were walking on the path under the platform, Ethan chose that moment to jump on the platform. Much fright and apologies followed. He's twenty (19 here, technically), and I still can't take him anywhere. 

A couple of days later, Sam had his vocal recital. He sang "Pictures" by Backseat Lovers. He did amazing. All the notes he had been struggling for months, he nailed. I was so proud. He did get discouraged due to forgetting some lyrics halfway through, but his singing was on point. 

The next night was his choir concert. Just four boys in the whole choir, and Sam was doing a great job carrying the bass section. He has worked so hard to improve his singing, and it is paying off. 

We couldn't let the season pass without gingerbread houses. Grace and Sam did join us, but being deep into teenager hood, they refused to be in any pictures.

 

Thank goodness I have great nephews who will still humor me.

A week before Christmas, we took everyone to see Santa at the Train Depot. The Grinch made a surprise appearance. Everyone was deeply amused.

The littlest dude just wanted to watch the model train, so Sam and his friend kept him company. 

And then four days before Christmas, our joy was finally complete: Libby landed in the Boise airport. It was a grueling day of travel for her, but we were all so happy to see that face!

Ethan even popped over to say hello that evening. I was so excited to have all my kids together that I insisted the kids gather for a picture. The results were amazing. 

And now we were ready for the grand celebration.