Saturday, January 10, 2015

Christmastime!

We had a great Christmastime with friends and family.  We enjoyed holiday festivities in San Diego the week before we traveled to visit our families.

Our friend, Sue, invited some of the kids she used to babysit over to decorate Christmas cookies. She is explaining the rules to the kids before setting them loose with cookie dough and candy toppings.

Emma loved cutting cookie shapes out of the dough - and eating it raw!

We visited Sea World a couple more times while it was decorated for Christmastime.

And we also joined some friends from church to see one of the most well-decorated streets in the Point Loma area of San Diego. Emma and her friend, Jemma, loved walking through the winter wonderland!

Emma and I have enjoyed our friendship with Jemma and her mom, Jackie!

After Dan was on Christmas break from school, we flew to Texas to visit my parents and Steve and Sheila for Christmas week.  We loved being together, although it was bittersweet without my brother, Paul. We miss him every day, but we are so grateful that he is in heaven now and not suffering any longer.

*Someone* kept trying to sneak into the gifts early. I may have encouraged her in this behavior.

We visited The Sixth Floor Museum, located at the former Texas School Book Depository, where John F. Kennedy's alleged killer shot and assassinated him.  It was an interesting exhibit of the events surrounding his assassination, and my parents added their own memories of when they heard that the president had been killed.

My family outside the museum.

We had a great time opening gifts on Christmas morning.  It was fun to watch Emma get excited about her gifts. Next Christmas will be even more fun with Steve and Sheila's baby who is due in April!

We went for walks around my parents' neighborhood almost every day. Emma enjoyed pushing her new baby doll in its stroller and peeking inside all the neighbors' mailboxes.

My Aunt Jane and cousin Tim joined us for Christmas dinner, and we played a game of Scribblish.

The day after Christmas, we flew to Virginia to visit Dan's family for New Year's week. Unfortunately, Emma had caught the flu and was pretty miserable for about three days. Then her fever broke and she finally felt (and acted) more like herself.  Dad, Mom, Robin, and Naomi were also getting over colds or the flu, so we were in good company. Most of our days were spent relaxing and playing at Mom and Dad's house, but we also visited Busch Gardens one evening.

 
The Jester Clan is still growing! Robin and Rob are expecting a second baby girl in May!


The King family (Pete, Kimberly, Christina, and Joyce) was able to join us a couple of evenings. I can't believe that those beautiful young ladies were the 4- and 6-year-old flower girls at our wedding!

Emma and cousin Naomi loved their Grandpa and Grandma time.

Emma followed her older cousin Josiah around all week. 

We gave our four nephews a street hockey set for Christmas

And Uncle Dan didn't need much encouragement play with them!

Emma got all geared up and ready to play, too.

We hope you and your families had a blessed Christmas and New Year!

1 comment:

Emily and Kolby said...

Eating raw cookie dough and trying to open presents early... she's my kind of girl! Oh and I keep meaning to tell you what a great family picture of y'all on your Cheistmas card! Emma is adorable!