Christmas in Sequim

We had 11 in our house for Christmas-- it was a blast. It was the best way to spend our first Christmas in our home. We celebrated with Tony's parents (Andy/Bapa and Dorciane/Mimi) and brother David and family (wife Kei, kids Elitza, Ivan, Cyrus and Larissa).

And this year, with Gavin's enthusiasm, love for family and people and general interest in everyone's business-- he was a great source of joy and entertainment.

We tried to preserve a few important traditions-- cinnamon rolls, PJs on Christmas eve, stockings first thing Christmas morning, Christmas eve service at church, and the telling of the Christmas story by Bapa. We also did a few non-traditional things--chicken tacos (Tony's favorites) for Christmas eve dinner and Salmon for Christmas day dinner. (We didn't even have mashed potatoes or stove top stuffing.)

This is the big Christmas Story production. Bapa used Gavin's Playmobil nativity and toys as props. Notice Tony as the star.
" Look what I got!" Gavin greeted his stocking stuffers with enthusiasm and then proceeded to go around and "greet" everyone else's treasures. If you have it, he wants to play with it.
Surprise! A new table for Gavin's play corner. Tony and Bapa worked feverishly to stain the table (and get it dry in the cold garage) in time for Christmas morning.
My handsome boys in their cozy new robes.
Christmas morning family picture.
Our Christmas morning PJ picture.

Christmas Greetings!

We have been enjoying this month of preparing to celebrate our Savior's birth with our little man and family from out of town. This will be our first Christmas in our home (in five years). What a joy!

Here are some photos of our big Christmas tree-- 8.5 feet! A friend of ours helped us get it and we love it. After three weeks it still remains unscarred. Our toddler is probably more baffled and intimidated than he is mildly curious.

Becoming a Student Again

The second and third weeks of November brought us to California for Tony's first two intensives at Fuller Seminary for his Doctorate of Ministry Program.
In a previous blog I told of all of the reading Tony was to do prior to this trip. And ladies and gentleman, he pulled it off--17 books (I was mistaken with the 19) or 4500 pages in two months.
We had a great trip. Tony was in school all day and then went to Mexico for the High School Mission Trip pre-trip during the weekend between. He was busy and often exhausted from all of the thinking. He really enjoyed the class and was constantly sharing about interesting studies and other information he was learning. The 50 page paper he has due in April is a big undertaking, but I definitely think that God is the one that has it all worked out. He has Tony learning and growing already.

We stayed with Tony's brother David and family in Altadena in their new studio apartment. The digs were wonderful, but it was even better to see them daily (even if briefly) for two weeks. We had a few nice meals and hang out times with them too.
Gavin and I did a lot of running around visiting family and friends (as many as we could without going crazy). It was wonderful to catch up and spend times with people very special to us.
I snapped lots of photos, but as usual, I didn't catch every event/person. (I'm missing photos of our visits with Julie & Ashely and their kids, Tiffany, Robyn, Jenn & Ryann, Danny, Casey, Marie, and probably more. :( )

But here's a nice taste of our trip...

Perhaps the only family photo we took... leaving from Seattle Airport.

Fun times playing with Henry (and mom Jenny).

Lots of time with Cousin Oliver-- they adore each other.

Awwww.....

A visit to Santa Barbara with my sister Colleen, Philip and Oliver

With just a couple weeks of walking under his belt, Gavin loved the weather because it meant a lot of time spent walking. He couldn't help the big grin-- he's so proud!

Some quality time with Grampa.

The Arboreatum with Elitza, Ivan, Cyrus, Larissa and Aunt Kei.

Cousins!

More Cousins-- Rocco and Sicily (Warren & Nichole's kids)

Beautiful Larissa

More time with Grampa and Gramme.

Lots of extra energy to burn these days... tried to get it all out before the plane ride back home. Key word: TRIED.

Fall Fun

Here are some glimpses of the fun we've had enjoying fall in the Northwest.

Gavin had just started walking a few days before this. I think we were up to almost ten steps at a time by this picture, but still a little bit wobbly.

This was pre-Halloween dress up day at First Teacher.

Superman at our church Fall Family Festival.

I suggested Clark Kent for his costume, but this leisure suit was a lot easier to put together after running around to get the event ready.

Superbaby! Shortly after arriving at the gym, Gavin made big strides (literally) in his walking. Too much excitement to sit still.

Check out these Black Friday deals Mom!

Gavin's first real Thanksgiving Feast.

Thanksgiving potluck at church means no clean-up. :)