The Endless Vacation....

Jerry was able to save up a lot of vacation and take a giant 2-week chunk of time off over the holidays. That means we have been in vacation mode for quite a while now! He goes back to work on Monday and I will have to figure out how to take care of Oscar all by myself again. No more trading sleep-in days!

It really has been wonderful though. We were able to spend an amazing week in the mountains with family and friends and even have a few days at home to just chill out and relax. Yesterday we took Oscar to Marbles and Jerry went for the first time. We got a membership for Christmas (thanks Aunt Monica!) and I know this will be the first of MANY visits this year.

Overall, this vacation has made me so thankful. It's always fun to go on a trip, but having these few extra days at home together has made all the difference for me. We have been able to really enjoy each other and take some time to talk about this year and what we want and don't want. We are reworking the old budget and planning to buy a car. Oscar's first birthday is at the end of this month. We have projects to work on around the house. It's going to be a good year. I can feel it.

When we were in the mountains, Jerry finally got to meet what I like to call my extended family, aka The Raymonds. He really loved them and I am pretty sure the feeling was mutual. I had a blast watching some of my favorite people get to know each other and laugh and carry on. We played games, played in the snow, stayed up late talking and laughing. It was the best. Oscar had a blast too. He LOVES his Grampa and Grammy and all his cousins. He slept great and played hard. Below are some of my favorite pics from the trip. It was so hard to choose but these highlight the spirit of love and family that was oozing out of each one of us. Enjoy!

 

 

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We're Back from the Mountains!

I have to say that I feel like I've been in La-La land. A magical place with no cell-phone towers, tv, internet or video games. It. was. heaven. I spent much needed quality time with my family, great friends and all of our children. I am overcome with gratitude for the many blessings that I so often take for granted.

Oscar had an amazing time and once again impressed us all with his amazing ability to adapt. We loved sharing a room with him and while he slept in the pack-n-play most of the time, we enjoyed our morning snuggles immensely. And we even had a couple mornings that started with a gentle tap-tap-tap from Grammy asking if she could take Oscar so we could sleep in. Yes, I said ASKING.

I just don't even know where to begin. In a way the trip was so fast-paced and fun because there were people everywhere. But at the same time, we had a wonderfully relaxing vacation. Memories are rushing through my brain at a rapid pace and all I can focus in on are images of laughter, rest and love. I know once I have a chance to regroup I will be able to write more. But for now, I think that sounds like a pretty great Christmas.

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What Blog??

Goodness I have been busy! Jerry is off work this week and while one might think that would make me less busy, it is quite the opposite! We've been having a great time sharing our days with Daddy. Yesterday we went to the mall and today we had a mini-Christmas at home. We're getting all ready for our Semi-Annual Mountain Trip and I. CAN'T. WAIT.

We let Oscar open his gifts from faraway family and from us this morning and he had a blast! I know that Christmas morning he will know EXACTLY what to do :-) I hope everyone is enjoying this Christmas week and I look forward to posting my reflections once I get a chance to be still, enjoy the snow and porch rockers and dwell on the beauty of God's creation. Until then!

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