We got to celebrate Christmas many times in the last two weeks and it was very special!
We had our immediate family Christmas on the 22nd. This has become a tradition that we look forward to every year! We started the day with breakfast that we all made together and then we opened presents. (We loved having the boyfriends and Isabel with us this year as we have the last few years!) (I wrote more about the day here.)
Why do these two look like they’ve suddenly aged a few years??
We also celebrated David’s gift! It’s been two years since he officially became Paine. I wrote more about my thoughts on his adoption and why I have so many big and conflicting emotions on this day.
These three keep our lives fun and full and exciting!
After our family’s Christmas was over during the day on the 22nd, we spent the day packing and getting everything into the car for the drive to Kansas. We left early for O’Fallon, IL and stayed there overnight then arrived in Kansas (where both sides of our family live) on the 23rd.
Mika was HAPPY to see Jesse’s parents’ dog, Copper!
We celebrated Christmas with my family on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
We also spent some time with Jesse’s family and played Codenames for the first time.
We’ve had several mother/daughter coffee dates, including one at The Meeting House in Sedgwick, KS. I love this place!
It was so special to have all my sisters together this Christmas and we LOVED getting together so much!
I tried Lavender Blackberry Iced London Fog for the first time and now I’ve decided I have to learn how to make one! It was sweet!
Speaking of first times, David threw himself without us holding on to him the first time! And he did it for a long time and loved it! We are proud of the progress he continues to make!
My siblings, my parents, and spouses/significant others. (Can you see Jesse? He’s hiding behind me!)
We played all kinds of creative games, laughed a lot, got caught up in everyone’s lives, and loved seeing all our kids play together!
We waited to celebrate Christmas with Jesse’s family until December 30 so everyone could be together. It was the first time all the siblings were together for Christmas and they had the best time!!
David loved getting to know many aunts and uncles and cousins and grandparents and had a great laugh! I loved seeing everyone interacting with him and cheering for him!
We also did family photos with Jesse’s family since they were all together.
The kids weren’t too happy to take pictures outside as it was cold, but they survived and hopefully there will be some good pictures from the group!
Behind the scenes: All the cousins (so far — there’s one on the way!) and Grandma and Grandpa
Jesse’s sister pulled a prank on Jesse’s parents where all the kids picked out obscure items from her parents’ house and wrapped them up and gave them to them as if they were official gifts.
It was fun and it took a long time for his parents to catch on that something was wrong and the gifts seemed very familiar! 
We had a lot of laughs about it and they loved the game!
An annual favorite: the Saran Wrap Ball game, thanks to Jesse’s sister, Lisa!
One of my favorite photos from our trip to Kansas for Christmas: Kathrynne recreated this photo of herself from years ago when she asked for Christmas wood!
