We were missing one significant component to the holidays this year. My family. The stomach virus prevented us from seeing them. That's right-my parents were in town for a whole week and I didn't see them other than Facetime on the Iphone. That was hard and sad. I hated cancer alot that week. We received the call the morn of xmas day that my mom had caught it in a matter of two days since her arrival. It was blowing through the house fast. When we spoke to Dr Kwon Tuesday after xmas for spinals and other goodies he stated it was a very contagious virus and would prefer us not to expose G. This virus was leaving people contagious for up to 2 weeks after symptoms disappeared. That left me w a def NO of seeing my fam. Ugh.
But I had to find the positives of the holiday like being HOME! And having Charito's three very ill family members here was us under one roof!
On Christmas eve we took a drive to Deerfield's bakery for jelly donuts, dined at a fancy Mcds ( It was like sitting in your own living room! It had a cozy sunken in fire place) and relaxed before MamaC, PapaC and Tita Mel came over. We ordered half trays of chix vesuvio, mostaccioli and italian sg and peppers from Vince's for dinner. We enjoyed a quiet evening of food and laughs before they headed home to rest. It was very nice! So many times I couldn't help but look at all 3 of them around the table and have flashbacks of 2011. The medical ups and downs, major scares and unbelievable news. What a year! But they were with us, laughing at the goofiness our 3 boys bring to any room. Those moments are what I choose to remember that night.
mommy and daddy's Christmas present to each other! It arrived early and that made me so happy to enjoy it for the holiday!
"Oh my gosh! Sushi! That's what mommy says to me!"
Had to get the item he lugged around Toys R Us!
Sticking w the Mcds theme!
This is what T picked out for Caden-it is very popular in this house! He eats and counts cookies. very cute
Cheese!
cuddling up for a movie together
FINALLY got the Polar Express train all to himself!
Anytime G sees a cake he thinks some sort of candle MUST be blown out no matter the holiday. We stuck a candle in our gingerbread train for him bc the Elf cake just wasn't enough.
A friend handed this down to G, he loved it! From Santa of course
Fun game-I just had to when I saw the Choo Choo!
Santa was creative w his wrappings this year-how perfect huh?!
Mommy n daddy had this book made for Triston. I wanted him to know that he is a superhero at heart, too! It turned out phenomenal!
Boys are still loving the medieval time period this year so we added to the collection and purchased some cool dragons (so much cheaper at Michael's. I did most of my shopping there this yr!) We also got T a lego castle.
Grayson and Caden's pillow pals
Chippy got into the cookies w Santa and left mini toy saks ( to add to T's "fragile collection")
This is such a neat Lego system organizer. each shelf is a carrying case. I could not pass up the Lego plushes!
On that eve as Charito and I were preparing for Santa we had alot to discuss, share, be sad over , reflect upon and be lucky for. We agreed that "our Christmas" felt like it had already occurred. Operation North Pole was beyond our wildest expectations! Experiencing that day with our boys encompassed it all for us as parents- the awe, wonder and spirit of the holiday season happened that day! More about that later! So when it came to that night's preparations we were pretty simple about it all. A few items here and there to commemorate our 2011. To put some smiles on their faces. And we did. It was a pleasant morn and a relaxing day. I missed my family like crazy but I had my own around me, all 4 of 'em. HOME for the holidays is all that mattered in the moment. I had the best xmas gift of all!
