Matt and Grace

We had a longer than normal visit in California this time because we were sticking around for an important event: Matt and Grace's wedding on Saturday January 6. Joshua was one of the groomsmen and Dave was the officiant, so the three of us went up to Sacramento on Friday for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Things went smoothly at the rehearsal and then we headed to Grace's aunt's house for the rehearsal dinner. They had done a great job decorating and preparing delicious Mexican food.

Saturday was the big day, so Joshua had to head to Sacramento in the morning to get ready. Dave and I drove up together later. The wedding was beautiful and the reception was good too. It was fun to celebrate with Matt and Grace and visit with the other people we knew at the wedding. And, of course, Joshua looked dashing in his tuxedo.

They even had a late night snack of grilled cheese sandwiches, which I appreciated because I was hungry again. As things started winding down, Joshua and I headed back to Modesto. The next morning we got up and had breakfast, then said goodbye to Dave and Gayle and returned home. It was a great trip with a lot of good times packed in, but we were glad to be back home.

Modesto

Back in Modesto, we enjoyed a little bit quieter week with the Kerrs after all the holiday excitement. Dave and Joshua made fruitcake, which we just recently started eating and it is great. We also enjoyed a number of family dinners, picking fruit and going to Mexican food with Grandad, playing cards and the new Codenames Duet game we got for Christmas, working on projects, and being together.

Gayle had gotten a new sewing machine so we had fun experimenting with that. It does all kinds of crazy stitches and things. The fabric store nearby is going out of business so they had everything on sale and we couldn't resist getting this cute flannel to make a little receiving blanket on the new machine; we even used one of the fancy stitches around the edge.

New Year's Eve Party

Sunday was New Year's Eve, which meant it was time to party. Natalie, Emery, and Ezra helped me make cinnamon rolls to have for breakfast Monday.

And Natalie and I made our traditional contribution to the party food: muddy buddies, yum. There was lots of other good food too, so we all enjoyed spending the evening snacking, working on a puzzle, playing video games, and visiting.

We thought it was pretty funny that the guys were surrounded by yarn while they played video games in the living room.

 The youngest boys went to bed, but the rest of us made it to midnight and toasted the New Year with sparkling beverages.

The next morning we had cinnamon rolls, orange danish rolls, eggs, sausage, bacon, and oranges for breakfast; what a way to start the year.

Everyone was pretty tired, so we had a relaxing morning around the house playing video games, chatting, and going for a walk.

Michelle made this beautiful, and big, afghan for the baby and it's so cozy. She and Joy also gave me a bunch of maternity clothes they are done with; just in time too since my clothes were starting to not fit anymore.

We had lunch and cleaned up most of the mess we made during the party and with everyone staying at Mom and Dad's house, then Joshua and I headed back to Modesto.

The Week Between

We spent the week between Christmas and New Year's in Visalia and enjoyed the time with family working on projects, going on walks, playing games, and visiting. One of the projects we worked on was making a granny square afghan with the yarn and squares that Jonah's grandmother had started. It was fun to have sewing circle with Heather and Michelle and work on something that we've done a lot together in the past. Mom and I also had a good amount of time to sew together on quilting projects.

I enjoyed a cup of tea every morning in the new mug I got for Christmas on the coaster Natalie made for me.

Game time with Uncle Joshua.

Joshua and I also enjoyed taking the kids out for our traditional hot chocolate treat on Friday. This year was Ezra's first time joining the party.

After enjoying our drinks, Joshua headed up to Sacramento to attend a bachelor's party while I stayed with my family for the weekend.

Christmas 2017

Joshua and I had a rush trying to get ready for Christmas this year. It was a particularly busy term for him since he was taking extra units. But he did a great job and after the term was over we received the exciting news that he is now ABD (all but dissertation). That's a big step in the program and means that from now on the focus is on writing the dissertation. Anyway, since the term was busier than usual, we were a bit behind on Christmas preparations when it ended. We spent a few frantic, but mostly enjoyable, evenings working on getting things ready and drinking eggnog. Thankfully, we were able to finish everything up on time and hit the road on the Friday before Christmas. Once in California, we enjoy a particularly pleasant and relaxed time celebrating Christmas with both our families.

We kicked things off by making shortbread on Friday after dinner. It's so good, especially with Tea of Good Tidings.

We celebrated Christmas with the Kerrs on Saturday with Christmas dinner, presents, and desserts. Then we had doughnuts Sunday morning and got to light the advent candles at the Christmas Eve service.

I couldn't resist making bears for Amari and Elias for Christmas this year.

We celebrated Christmas with the Chandlers on Monday, gathering at Mom and Dad's house around lunch time. Dad had gotten a package of mystery Oreos, so we tasted those after lunch and tried to figure out what the flavor was. Still not sure, but something fruity.

Then we opened presents and took the traditional picture of the kids in front of the Christmas tree, all wearing the matching pajamas that Mom made for them this year.

We finished off the day with a delicious Christmas dinner and chocolate birthday cake for dessert.