It came! Christmas! It came with all its usual magic and fun, and a new library of memories to checkout when the new year has its rough moments [which they all do at some point or another!] It was as crazy, and loud and fun as ever, what with all 17 of us staying in the same house, and although I think all of us are ready to get back to a more low key routine, we'd do it again in a heartbeat. Here are some of the more memorable details.

The morning of Christmas Eve we went to church, and got to spend some time thinking about the special birth of the Savior, and what it meant for the world. It was especially beautiful, as we cherished cuddling with the sweet baby born to us this year. It was a lovely morning. Later, we spent the afternoon visiting with my Dad's side of the family. As usual, it was full of good food and fun. The girls got spoiled, not just with presents, but with special ice cream sundaes made by Uncle Matt, just their size. We loved visiting and enjoying Moana along side our island themed gifts, complete with musubi molds. Can't wait to put those to good use! It was a fun visit.


On Christmas itself, Santa came to visit and the kids were in hog heaven opening their stockings and gifts, and we loved seeing the magic of it through their eyes. We enjoyed visiting with my Grandma, Uncle and Aunt for our traditional Christmas chili and snacks, and it was a fun time. Isla in particular loved spending time listening to my Grandma read her books. It was a fun memory for all of us. That night, we headed over to my inlaws for a delicious Christmas dinner and had fun visiting with Lester's family. All in all, it was a fun low key Christmas, which was just how we liked it.







After Christmas, we had several other parties to attend. We got to enjoy a 'Friendsmas' with some friends I grew up with, and they were all wonderful about letting the kids play hair salon and makeup on them bc they are the best-they also taught me Spot It, which is a new favourite game. For both this, and the Favourite Things party I attended [which was also super fun!] I was able to try my hand at homemade raspberry chocolate jam as gifts, and I think that it turned out good! Addy also had her Winter Concert at school before that, which was sincerely one of the most adorable things ever-their teachers and aides put so much work into their practising [Addy thought it was hilarious that she had to dance with a boy] and their hand made costumes. My Mom and Sam came to support her, and I know she felt the extra love from that. School has been a hard adjustment, but we all love her teacher and are glad she's enjoying it now-things like this concert, a Polar Express movie day, and gingerbread building day have definitely helped with that transition. We also got to enjoy the SF holiday scene went we went ice skating in Union Square with my in laws. And, as is our new tradition, we got to tag along to Becca's families house for one night of Hanukkah, where we played draedle, ate blintzes and rugelach.


























After that, all the family rolled into town and we had endless days of beach fun, game playing, baking and cooking, tea parties and dress up, etc etc. Santa actually came to visit again so that we could celebrate together, and the stockings and present opening we did that morning was so fun. Some favourites were kinetic sand boxes my Mom made the kids for gifts, some 'cars' for the boys, and favourite movies. Isla also got to show everyone her special project, which were handmade ornaments with every ones pictures on them. It was fun making them, and even more fun watching her give them out. She was so proud! Addy also got a face painting kit, and Lester did a great job at painting all the kids faces-and then in turn letting them paint his face. It was hilarious! We also got to do some homemade giant bubbles, courtesy of my Mom and Hillary-I have memories of my Mom doing this with all of us over the years, so it was fun to see our littles doing it now. We also got to visit with the Wynne family one night for dinner and fun. We even got to break off in smaller groups here and there, once for a triple date at Burma Superstar and the bookstore, and then later with Krista and Hillary to see Jumanji which was super fun. We even had a day where we all got to split up at the movies, half of us to see Coco, and half of us for Star Wars. We also got to take the Dobbins to our favourite chocolate spot, and to good old Dolores Park. It was fun watching Addy and Hannah off being daredevils climbing and on slides, while Audrey and Isla played adventure/imagination games, and repeatedly needed to be saved from various cliffs and pirates [since they were mermaids of course..]. It was a super fun visit, and we loved it all.










































New Years we spent eating delicious food, having a spinning top competition, playing 'name that song' with Ross's brother and sister in law and baby, and visiting the tide pools after church which was great. A highlight here was Lester saying he wasn't going to stay up, and then doing exactly that, being the loudest of all, banging lids and pots running outside screaming happy new year! I love that man and his wild thing ways.

And lastly, apart from Christmas itself, the big event for us was the baby blessing. When we were all pregnant at the same time in different places, I thought about how fun it would be to have cousins all the same age, and how I wish they could do more things together. So I asked my sisters in they and their in laws would be interested in doing a joint baby blessing come December. They all agreed, and thanks to all them and everyone else, we were able to do just that. It was an incredibly special experience for us as a family to be surrounded by so many significant people to us, who have meant so much, and will mean so much to Bear, as we officially blessed him and recorded his name both in heaven and earth. He is such a gift, in every way, and we are proud of him and all he is. And although I was a little all over the place trying to get things set up [special thanks to Wendy for loaning us some decor and he husband, and Hayley for helping with everything from set up, serving, decor and pictures!], I will always remember how much love I felt from everyone for me, my sisters, our families, and most importantly this time, for my son. Family is everything, and I am grateful I have such a big one to fill my heart to the brim.












































So this has been our holiday season 2017. Looking forward with hope and faith that this next year will hold great things, just like this one did.