The holiday season was in full swing by the time we got back from our Thanksgiving trip to Paris and everyone was back in school. We were able to attend Sabina's Winter dance performance which was so beautiful.
Rosie made a come back, we thought she might be reassigned to a family with young children but apparently not.
Lily was busy studying for final exams in the weeks leading up to Christmas so she missed out on a few traditions. The old get our tree from the Costco parking lot tradition.
Gemma gave up on wrapping cousins presents and Rosie tried to step in but ended up taping herself to the gift instead.
Lily had her holiday band performance. It was so good. They played a medley of songs from the movie Home Alone which we love. She is in the Honor band this year and they are so good.
We got together with cousins when Joel and Tony and family were in town for the weekend. We had dinner over at Eric's house and Rach made a plastic wrap gift ball game. The kids had so much fun. Sadly Gemma was home with the flu so she couldn't come.
Being home sick has it's perks though. You get to sit on the couch by the tree and served fancy hot cocoa.
She did seem well enough to help finish baking the Christmas cookies.
Once she was all recovered she was able to sleep over at Liv's and enjoy some holiday traditions like going to see lights.
Once finals were over and school was out for Winter break we could enjoy more. We made frosted sugar cookies for Santa.
Gemma is doing confirmation classes this year and she had acolyte duty on Christmas Eve. She did a great job lighting the candles.
We always have to force a picture with the big Christmas tree at church.
Then we came home to have Christmas eve supper. Gemma requested tri tip so we made that with some cheesy potatoes and veggies.
We left out the cookies for Santa and some carrot sticks for the reindeer.
Not a creature was stirring..not even a mouse...
Lily will not even let Christmas Eve or Day interrupt her much beloved sleep.
There was a Holiday sleepover and snuggle fest.
Gemma was up and ready to go on Christmas morning. Lily took some more convincing and cajoling to get up. Once she heard there were Squishmallows under the tree she shot right up.
Everybody got something they wanted.
Gemma was thrilled to get a Taylor Swift concert hoodie, along with her shower cap of course.
