After Jentry left, I only had a half day of work and then I kept myself busy making Christmas goodies. This year I took cinnamon and orange rolls to the neighbors. I had never made rolls from scratch before and decided to give it a go. They turned out pretty yummy.
Christmas Eve we headed out to John and Jan's for appetizers, cocktails, presents, lobster tails and creme brulee. We enjoyed a lovely, adult evening and tried to savor every minute as next year will be very different with an eight-month-old little boy.
Christmas morning was just Nathan and I at home which was strange and lovely all at the same time. Then we went back out to his parent's house for brunch. We enjoyed Jan's traditional eggs benedict and lounged around the rest of the afternoon. That evening Nathan and I headed to Lincoln to get an early start on some furniture shopping for the baby's room. After driving all over town we finally found a restaurant that was open. Who would have thought we would be eating gyros for Christmas dinner?
While Jentry was at her dad's for the week, she got to spend most of her days at Grandma and Papa Bose's house. One morning my mom sent me this picture with the title "Mary." I don't think I have every seen a picture of Mary with baby Jesus in a pink buggy before. I am so thankful that Jentry has grandparents so close. They absolutely adore their grandchildren and go out of their way to do whatever the kiddos ask of them.
On the 28th I drove to Harlan County, picked Jentry up from her dad's and headed to my parents house. I was so looking forward to spending several days relaxing at home. Nathan had to work a few more days so he came on the 30th. The first night I took this photo to send to him so he could get a little taste of all the fun he was missing.
Jentry with her grandma watching a movie on her tiny DVD player while papa had to get down on the floor and be right next to her too.
Jentry's pictures of Santa and Mrs. Claus. She wanted some elfs too but didn't know how to draw them so grandma drew an outline so that Jentry could color them in. She was so proud of her art!
Jentry spent a few hours making Christmas ornaments.
And a least an hour harassing her Papa in his chair. I think it was even though. They deserve each other.
She even got a sewing lesson from Grandma.
And a piano lesson too. She is so lucky.
The second night papa got out his accordion to play for Jentry and then grandma had to get out her flute too. It was quite the performance, let me tell you. I did laugh a bit at their duet attempt, however I was honestly impressed at how well they both could still play. Jentry also wanted to see my saxophone, so I got my turn of being laughed at too. I haven't attempted to play since high school and it was fun to see how the notes came right back from memory. It was definitely a fun and musical night.
Monday the Hamiltons came over for breakfast and the kids got to play together all day long. Isaac and Anna had received a new iPad for Christmas and they all wanted to spend most of their time fighting over who got to use it. I eventually had to put it up and make them all go for a walk to the park. Isaac protested but eventually gave in and enjoyed himself too. He was quick to point out that I threw a football like and girl but gave me hope in that his mom has gotten better at it. He cracks me up.
Isaac has really been working on his handwriting and gave me this list of words that Jentry told him to write. I thought it was so cute!
New Years Eve was our big night of celebration and presents. It was nearly sixty degrees that day so we decided to snap a few photos on the deck at sunset.
After a very delicious meal, the kids finally got to unload their stockings. Uncle Chad and Isaac played a pretty good trick on Jentry and replaced all of her goodies with a box of coal. It was classic. The look on her face was priceless. After a few minutes, they finally confessed and gave her gifts back. I don't think she is going to forget that one for quite sometime though.
Next we all headed downstairs for the big presents. It was so much fun watching the kiddos this year. The innocent Christmas spirit was catching. Everyone was blessed to receive such wonderful gifts.
New Years day we enjoyed a yummy brunch at the Hamilton's before watching the Huskers win the bowl game.
The girls played nicely upstairs with their new sticker books.
Isaac spent most of the day coloring by number.
Then they all lounged in their pillow bed and licked on candy-canes.
After the game, we packed up all of our things and headed back to Sutton. It was a wonderful five days of family, holidays and fun but it sure felt good to be home. As crazy as it sounds, Jentry still had a few presents from Santa to open. She also gave Nathan and me a present that she had made at school. It even had a lovely homemade card and wrapping paper.
When Nathan asked me what present I was most excited about I said, without a doubt, "The one from Jentry."
I am not sure if it was that fact that the celebrations were more spread out or if it was simply experiencing Christmas through the eyes of a five-year-old, but this holiday season was one of my favorites yet. We have so much to be thankful for and knowing that our family will be experiencing big changes in 2014 is thrilling. May God continue to bless our family.
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