Christmas

We had another whirlwind Christmas, which beforehand made me want to pull my hair out, but in the moment, made me so very thankful. We have family all over the country now, so getting everyone in the same place at the right times feels like herding sheep. Which means herding multiple in-laws or almost in-laws. We first drove to Boone and were there for a few days leading up to and immediately after Christmas. Derek was down from Vermont, Scott was back from Utah, so Adelaide and Clara had a blast with the Moretz crew. Some highlights:

It was the year of the book. And of 12 month sized clothes.

And ballerinas, cupcakes, and fairies. And also of the stocking. I tackled sewing our own this year. They aren't perfect, but for the most part, I love the way they turned out. Ben's brain doesn't like the stripes, because it bothers him that the stripes don't follow a contour of a foot. If you know Ben, you know his brain is weird, so his stocking his my favorite because there is already a story that goes with it. The tops are pretty wonky, so I'll have some tweaking for next year, but once I can perfect them, I might just make a personalized stocking business.

Ben and I were really uncertain of how to handle Santa this year (you see, he was the first guy to break my heart, and we don't want our goal of making Christmas a celebration of Christ's birth just talk). After lots of going back and forth, discussion, prayer, and research, (see inspiration) we finally concluded that we were comfortable about having him in a St. Nick kind of way that involved hands-on examples of teaching and practicing generosity (which I hope will be things we can continue to embrace throughout the year). Anyway, Adelaide didn't want to touch Santa with a 10' pole- didn't want to see him for pictures, didn't want him to come to our house with presents, nothing. We needed a picture of Clara with him for her first Christmas, but I think it's hogwash to pay $25 for a picture of a baby with an old man. The Boone Mall, however, had a cheap deal where you could take your kids and your camera. And she was perfectly precious. Adelaide was about 100 ft away pretending she was a cat.

This is A with my Uncle Frank, who was diagnosed with bladder cancer earlier this year. Actually, he just came out of a pretty involved surgery just yesterday. We'd love any prayers or happy thoughts - he's a pretty swell guy - he is friends with everyone he meets and is kind, funny, and has been like a second father to me and my brothers. He has a long road ahead in his recovery, but we're so thankful he made it through the surgery with good news regarding the cancer.

Moving on.. we came back to Charlotte after Christmas to repack and hit the road again. This time to Texas. The flights were just too expensive, so we left around dinner time and took turns driving through the night to Texas. About 19 hours total. !! The girls were troopers. We had a great time - so much to celebrate with the Wells'!

Congrats to Ben's brother Matt and his new FIANCEE Deirdre. We've loved her from years ago, but now that it is official, I'm super excited :) They are so good together. I feel blessed to be gaining another sister in her.

Another reason to celebrate in TX: Jon and Sarah are expecting their 2nd son in April. Taylor, who is almost 2, was really sick while we were there, so the only drawback to our fun, was not getting hardly any time with him, or with Jon or Sarah. Adelaide and Taylor are finally at the age where they enjoy each other, so keeping them quarantined was torture.

First cousins plus better halves (gap left to photoshop Sarah into the picture) :(

These are all of the 2nd cousins. Well, minus Taylor (Jon & Sarah), and Laurel and Brady (kids of Ben's cousin Justin and wife Eileen). Until Sidney (who is holding Clara), this branch of the family tree was pretty much a XY Tree. Ben, Jon, Matthew. Jeff, Jason, Justin. Jeff has 3 boys and a girl. Jason has 2 boys. Jon has a boy with another on the way. Justin has one of each. Before Adelaide was born, there was a pretty serious expectation that I would have boys. So when these folks get their hands on our 2 girls, it is pretty special. Adelaide had so much fun with the big kids. She also got to take a spin on this:

Putting her foot on the gas seemed to transform her into something even wilder. I'm afraid.

Last, but certainly not least on the Christmas tour, was time with Grammie. We had great weather, so we got to spend some time at a great park near her house, as well as visit Ben's Grandpa. He has had some decline in health this year, but has overcome a lot and looked really good. He was excited to see Adelaide and to meet Clara

As always, I wish I'd taken more pictures, or worn at least enough make-up to like the pictures that we have. I guess the older you get, the more thankful you become. I've been especially thankful this year. Our families have fought sickness, especially in the older members of the family, and I know we can't take any day for granted. Lots of people seemed to hate 2011. I'm not sure why. There is a lot to look forward to in 2012. New babies. New marriages. But in observing just how thankful I am, it also makes me anxious that it can all disappear.

Buckle seatbelts, loved ones. And wear helmets. Eat plenty of vegetables. Exercise. Drink more water, Mom. And stir-fry, Dad. Derek - don't get stung by any funky Costa Rican fish, and Scott - please don't chop your arm off in your timber-frame-cutting-computer. Matt - are you updated on all your African vaccines? Please be careful. Aunt Joyce and Sarah - rest. Jon - don't get too close to the lightning . Deirdre -enjoy and savor your engagement. Uncle Frank - maybe switch to turkey bacon.

Christmas was time with people I am incredibly thankful for. My goal for 2012 is for each of them to know just how blessed I feel to have each of them.