Family Togetherness - Part One

I'm on my fourth draft for a new post. There are so many things on my mind. First and foremost, I feel so blessed for my family. So blessed to have a loving husband and a happy baby. So blessed to have good parents and siblings who have taught me and guided me by example (and who continue to do so today). So blessed to have fun, supportive in-laws (complete with parents, brothers, and sisters) whom I adore. So blessed to be able to live with my grandma for a few weeks (to shorten Brendon's commute for his psychiatric rotation from 60 to 10 minutes). Seriously, so blessed.

We were fortunate to spend our two week break (the benefit of being students) in California with a lot of family. It was wonderful. Two full weeks of family, family, and more family. I could have stayed forever.

My little family had a nice drive to California, just the three of us in our little Mercury. I love road trips. We talked, laughed, ate our snacks, and took a lot of shopping breaks to ease our little Henry into long car rides. It was perfect (except for the small patch of snow we hit). Thanks to Brendon's mad driving skills, we managed to make it in one piece to Norco.

California with the Holmes was a blast! We spent the majority of the time relaxing, eating, and watching movies. The best of times were those spent talking, wrapping gifts, laughing, watching babies interact, hugging and kissing babies, shopping, catching up, playing games and laughing some more. I just love the big family atmosphere.

Cousin Lovin'

We had our annual Pitt and Holmes Christmas parties, which are always a highlight. We exchanged gifts, ate a lot of good food, and spent time catching up with people we don't see often enough: the grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins...and they all come by the dozens. I remember feeling a bit overwhelmed at these parties when we were first married, but now I relish in it: the hugs, the conversations, the sharing of babies, and the feeling of family. I think it's a little taste of heaven.

Henry with Grandma & Grandpa Holmes

 Henry with Grandma & Grandpa Pitt

Christmas Eve & Day with the siblings was so much fun.  I don't think I've ever enjoyed seeing what other people got for Christmas so much.  I don't know why, but I really enjoyed it this year.  We love our new jammies and Henry I are enjoying some new toys to play with.

 

The highlights of the week were watching Grandma Sheryl and Grandpa Russell play with Henry, the girls-only game of Loaded Questions, shopping, hanging out with Aunt Randi 24/7, and chatting with everyone.

Eating up time with Grandpa & Grandma

Aunt Randi