The Party…we wanted to have a family & friends of the kids party & it was wild, fun & just perfect. There were about 40 or more people here….lots of littles. I could feel my “home” so happy—filled with laughter, joy, hugs, good times between friends & love with family. I was on cloud nine!
The cousins were the first to show up & Emma & Claire had been excited all day to see them! Earlier in the day, Emma & Claire had made headbands for all the girls coming tonight.
And, soon everyone was having a great time!
But the BIG announcement of the night was for Danny…as of Christmas Eve, he’s RETIRED! When he told the kids last night, a huge cheer went up! They have been hoping he’d retire soon (before his job killed him!) We’re all so very happy about his decision! (somehow this is the only photo of the two of us…not great, but it is what it is…full of happiness!)
And the girl power was going strong…in colorful costumes too!
And too soon it was time to say goodbye.
We took some family photos before everyone left, not knowing when we’d be back together again. I love this!
The next day Pete & Leia took off to play pickle ball with friends; Luke took Jordan on the scenic tour of his home town, & Sara had some friends over to visit.
Sara had an errand to run after her friends left, & it was just Danny, the girls & I. Emma wanted to watch the 1st HP movie, so we popped popcorn & just chilled for awhile.
Once everyone was back, it was one last fast dinner together, a few photos & off to the airport to hug Emma, Claire & Sara goodbye. (sad face) Claire wanted to re-create this photo from 5 years ago (notice Pete has on the same t-shirt!).
Luke, Sara & Pete….I am leaking tears of joy & happiness & so much gratefulness as I post this photo. These three mean so much to me & it’s been one tough year…I don’t know what I’d done without them. Their love, constant support & encouragement, along with Danny’s, got me through. Big big love for them!
Brother Sister hugs!
And more hugs good bye.
We were back to the airport the next morning saying good bye to Luke & Jordan, then in the afternoon to Pete & Leia…all have much much longer flights back to the west coast.
I can’t express enough thankfulness that my family came home this year.
It’s been one of the toughest years of my life & probably Danny’s too & awful for my family. Happy to report I’m feeling better….3 weeks now with no nausea & a couple of months without the random dropping blood pressure & the shitshow that causes. I am still wearing a boot for my foot fracture & my energy level tanks frequently. I’m hoping that once the fracture is healed, the boot is off, I can slowly start my way back to normal (I’d rather make my way back super fast, but I’m probably going have to do it gradually…one of the words rarely used in my vocabulary!)
So it meant even more that the kids all took the time & rearranged their schedules to come back home. It was great to hear Danny tell them his big news. Peter told me he got the “Christmas present he was hoping for”…Danny’s retirement.
It will probably be our last Christmas in this house. We’re moving after being here for 45 years. So there will be lots & lots of changes in the future. Here’s to hoping all of them are good ones.
It was definitely the Merriest of Christmas’s here!