Christmas came and went faster than ever this year. We just got home from our trip to see family and friends in Arizona and are pretty dazed. If that’s a word. We’re pooped. Between the holiday shopping and travel and work schedules, we did our best to do a few things to keep the spirit of Christmas glowing in our hearts. I didn’t do half as much as I wanted to, like watch Hook, finish
David Sedaris’ Holidays on Ice, make Jace’s first year ornament, decorate a Gingerbread house out of berries, etc., etc. My Christmas cards were rushed {but fairly clever!} — my gifts were last minute {literally day-of sometimes} — my flight was almost missed — my luggage delayed — my hair a mess. It was a scrambling, rushed holiday. I obviously over did it. And to my dismay, I caught a nasty stomach virus over the holiday, and then gave it to everyone around me, including little Jace. On the bright side, we were spoiled with love from our family and friends and that alone made up for all the hustle and bustle and sicknesses and stress. It’s really the best time of the year and there is so much to celebrate – the birth of Jesus, the Christ and the promise of grace and hope forever more. So, what am I complaining about, right? Right. Here are the fews things we DID do to celebrate here in Cali and in Arizona:
One of our little Christmas outings was to the lighted boat parade in Santa Cruz at the harbor with some good friends. It was so much fun. Love the smell of that ocean!
We had some friends and family pass through. Surprise visitors are the best. Jace loves Krista & Gus! ;)
Rob enjoyed his seasonal beers ;)
And little boy had his first ear infection early in December and did a lot of face-down, butt in the air motions. I think it helped his head.
Holiday work part-ay!! Full of food, sushi, games and the money tree!
My Dad and Jace waiting with me at the Phoenix airport for my luggage that didn’t make it on my flight. 3 hours later :( Thank God for Starbucks.
Oregano’s to the rescue, after a long travel day.
My little reindeer xoxo…
Christmas Eve with the Johannes. I truly love it when our families come together to eat and exchange stories and gifts. So heartwarming to see Jace among all of his Grandpas, Grandmas, Great-Grandmas, and Uncles & Aunts. And our holiday specs were so rad.
Christmas #2 in Cottonwood with Rob’s Mom, step-father and Tay & Ri. We made gingerbread houses, ate a ton of great food and strolled through Jerome before heading back to Phoenix. Such a nice visit and so comfy, too!
Biggest coffee cup ever! Thanks Tayler.
Miss Tayler made us the most thoughtful scrapbook of Jace’s first year. I can’t even imagine how many hours she must have spent on it. It’s beautiful. In it is this quote about family and it couldn’t be more perfect:
“Family faces are magic mirrors. Looking at people who belong to us, we see the past, present and future” – Gail Lumet Buckley
Thanks, Tayler. we love you so much.
On our last day in the Cruz over the 4th, we took the trolly down to the Boardwalk to give Jace one more visit to the beach. I didn’t get my fried oreo or corn dog like normal, but I got to watch Jace be a wild man on the beach. He stole a volleyball, lost some toys in the ocean and got stuck in the sand. It was awesome. It was also interesting changing him on the sidewalk in front of the whole world. Good thing we ended this last trek to the beach with some 1020 ice-cream from Marianne’s. I sure do miss our life in California and that exciting boardwalk. And the smell of the ocean and the cool breeze. Everything. For now, I’ll hold on to pictures and memories!
p.s. Jace’s pineapple shirt and trunks are both from Old Navy ;)
