Merry Christmas...Part 2

The day after we got home from Grandpa and Grandma Gillette's house, Grandpa and Grandma H., Uncle Thane, Auntie Kim and Elias, and Uncle Ben and Auntie Kelsey showed up! Unfortunately, our current living situation doesn't have enough room for them to stay here with us, but Kyle's boss Jack graciously offered their guest house to my family and they were all able to stay there for several days. We were fortunate enough to have gorgeous weather (by that I mean temps in the 70's!) so there were lots of outdoor activities and hanging out at the beach!

On Friday, I dropped Annaliese off at the guest house and made a quick trip to the chiropractor. It's amazing how easy errands become without a toddler along!

 Grandpa and Annaliese playing outside

 Auntie Kim was braiding hair and Annaliese wouldn't do anything else until her hair was done too! I've never seen her sit so still:) 

 Auntie Kim carried Annaliese around to look at bugs and flowers

 Uncle Ben, soaking up the sun!

Snack time!

Friday evening we were back at our house and after dinner opened stockings. 

 Annaliese giving Auntie Kelsey a backrub

 Auntie Kelsey and Uncle Ben in the kitchen getting dinner ready...Thank you Grandpa Jay for the tamales!

Saturday morning, Kyle, Annaliese and I met up with Adam and Ashlie Feffer and their girls, and Russ, Jenn, and Holden for breakfast at the Custom House in Avila. I don't think I have any pictures, but it is becoming increasing more entertaining as the number of kids increases! It was good to catch up with everyone and after eating, we headed outside for some beach time. The rest of my family met us there and we played cornhole, chased the waves, and played with cups and spoons in the sand.

 Russ is holding Elea Feffer (4 months old) and Kyle is talking with Josephine (2 yrs old)

 Grandma, Elias, Annaliese, and Grandpa heading for the water!

 Holden (11 mon) just chillin' in the sand

After short naps for Elias and Annaliese, we had our Christmas celebration. There were lots of gifts for everyone and we again felt very blessed! Baking turned out to be a theme for the munchkins and Annaliese and Elias were both very excited to receive things like pots and pans, spatulas, and even a little mixer! Between Kim, Kelsey, and I, we picked the theme "On the Wall" so whatever gift we gave had to be something that could be hung up. Kim and Thane got us a really nice Christmas display; we gave Kelsey and Ben a fun new clock, and Kels and Ben had a pretty picture printed out for Kim and Thane.

Family photos by the Christmas tree

Sunday we opted to stay home from church, as Kyle, Annaliese and I have all been fighting a pretty nasty cold. The plan was to play some games, but the nice weather drew the guys outside for cornhole, Annaliese opted for a morning nap, and the girls headed to Michael's to see if we could find any good after-Christmas deals.

Annaliese wanted to take her picture on Grandma's phone, but when Grandma got it all ready, this is the face Annaliese gave her!

By Monday, Kyle was starting to feel better and headed to work; allergy medicine was helping Annaliese, and I was just miserable. Thankfully, I was able to get a hold of my OB and find a few cold/allergy meds that I could take. However, the morning was very rough and I sent Annaliese off to Avila Barn and the beach with the others while I stayed home and rested. I was able to make it off the couch for a bit of fresh air at the beach for a short time!

Kim, Thane, Ben, and Kelsey decided to head back to Washington Tuesday morning. It's about 19 hours of driving and they wanted to allow themselves plenty of time. Ben has to be back at work on Thursday so this way they can spend the night somewhere along the way. Mom and Dad stayed through the day though, and were so helpful around the apartment! Mom continued to clean and rearrange so that when Baby Gillette arrives in several weeks, she will have a place to go! Annaliese kept Grandpa busy watching the deer, feeding the horses, and checking to see if the chickens had laid eggs! She was worn out by the end of the day, so after she went to bed, we were able to hang out and play a few rounds of Qwirkle, which is the game I received from the Gillette Family Game Exchange.

 Waiting for Grandpa and Grandma to arrive...and doing somersaults over her toys:)

 She couldn't wait to go for a walk to see the 'goats' (which are really horses!)

 Dad, playing ball, with the neighbors dog

 Qwirkle...it was definitely a good pick...we've enjoyed playing it multiple times already!