Christmas!

Christmas morning I had been up with the flu all night.  Thankfully, I was spared a long drawn out process.  Xiana was pretty listless still, but Brian assured me she needed to eat and drink.  I was doubtful, but he was right.  As soon as she ate a banana and drank some soda, she perked right up.  Kolton acted fine, but he had approximately 10 dirty diapers before 8:00 am so I was tired, and worried.  And yet, Christmas went off without a hitch.  Everybody got completely and utterly spoiled rotten. Kolton had enough attention span to open most of his gifts, Xiana got everything she asked for, and Ekco got a surprise new keyboard so she could learn to play the piano.  My big surprise was a new shotgun which I promptly took out to use.  Ali made beautiful scarves for all the girls.  It was a triumphant day.  Everyone ate scones, felt better, and relished in the Christmas aftermath coma.  I'm so thankful to be so blessed. 

I couldn't help but think on Christmas and on the days following what a superior experience it was to deal with sick and whiny kids on Christmas in comparison to the poor parents whose children were not there for Christmas in Connecticut.  I couldn't help but think of how painful it must be to look at the presents under the tree for your sweet 7-year-olds who were no longer in this life.  What do you do with the gifts?  I can't imagine the grief as they returned those prizes, broken hearted and empty.  This Christmas wasn't perfect, but Christ is.  Because of His birth, all of those little victims are saved.  Becuase of the very reason we celebrate this season, those hearts will be healed, sorrows reclaimed, and life reinstated.  I am very grateful.

Christmas Eve

The day before Christmas Eve we went out and got our stir crazy kids (okay and parents) out of the house for a bit.  Kolton kept saying, "wa wa" because there was melted snow on the ground.

That night the kids danced their hearts out.

Later that night, Xiana began throwing up.  The following morning we went out for a drive in the snow.  She was such a good sport despite throwing up in a cup throughout the day.  I know she didn't feel well, but she put her best face forward and enjoyed the day.  I tried to do the same, but when Brian went down a steep hill that we couldn't get back up, and we proceeded to be stuck in the hills for hours with sick kids and a frightened mama, it was all this lady could do not to completely and totally lose it.  I managed to bite my tongue and say approximately 700 prayers before we followed multiple dead roads and finally went down one last steep cliff back to civilization.  I prayed that we would be able to look back on that experience and laugh about it some day.  I'm not there yet, but I am utterly relieved that it worked out how it did.  Poor Xiana had to be pretty uncomfortable.  We went back to grandma and grandpa's and let her watch movies for the rest of the day. We didn't do any of our regular Christmas Eve traditions due to a listless little girl.  Her daddy and uncle and grandpa gave her a blessing and by morning she was close to better.  Vastly better than last year!

grandkids

All of Brian's parent's grandchildren were here for Christmas.  We took advantage of that by posing them from oldest to youngest on the stairs.  They were pretty cooperative and loved taking the goofy pictures.

Pre Christmas

We ventured to Battle Mountain again this year for Christmas.  I packed up all our gifts, snow clothes, picture clothes, and regular clothes.  We literally brought everything but the kitchen sink.  We wanted to go because Jeff and Jenn were coming up from Vegas and we wanted to see them.  It was wonderful, but chaotic.  Crowded, but joyous.  Unfortunately, we followed family tradition and got the stomach flu.  I've been a crazy OCD germaphobe all month because I didn't want a repeat of last year's horrible Christmas flu.  Christmas Eve Xiana started throwing up, the next day I followed suit.  We were sick, but not miserable.  Kolton carried it well for a full week.  It wasn't as bad as last year's, but I sure hope we've done our dues!!!  Still, the kids played, had a ton of fun, and the main Christmas miracle was that nobody else got our flu bug... including Brian! 

The boys are close to the same age and felt it their duty to help uncle Tim put the toy together.

Grandma and Grandpa have all the cool toys.  this bear whistles while it skates... Kolton got a major kick out of it!

The boys sure are drawn to their grandpa!

Best of all... a white Christmas!!!!

And who doesn't love ring around the rosies?