Christmas part 3

 

Family

So here we are, nine days in to the new year. I've been thinking about family a lot these days. How important it is, how lucky I am. I've really been blessed by knowing such love, and all I can hope for is to pass on some of that Light to my own kids. 

Even when we're far away, even when we only see each other sporadically, that influence is there. The stories about where we came from, the habits and the games, and the ways things become traditions. I'm thankful for it.  

P.S. These beautiful photos were taken by my talented photographer brother. All credit goes to him. 

This guy

This guy.

Comes to see us when he has a few days free.

Is endlessly patient when the kids use him as a climbing gym.

Kicks the ball, plays the drums, is up for all the games.

How lucky are they, to have such a super great Uncle?

We were lucky to have two very special visitors this week- both Uncle Michael and Grandma Ann came for visits. We took advantage of Michael's expertise to buy a used kid sized drum set for Brixton. Now he can rock out for real. He is already thinking of band names and the two drummers are planning to Skype practice sessions together.

Grandma Ann has been hanging out reading and playing games with the kids and enjoying the beautiful weather. So great to have visitors. 

Jam session with the band

the band

When the band is here, they bring a whole different world with them. A world where people stay up late and leave for a new city every morning. A world of clubs and sound checks and opening bands, sleeping on floors and living out of duffle bags. And the music- at the end of the day that's why they do it. To stand there on the stage with that music they made.

So, we stayed up late. The kids had a sleepover, their first, with good friends of ours. And Chris and I had dinner and saw the show and crashed out at a quarter to one. The band came in later but they are always very good house guests.  We woke up and it was quiet. I can't tell you how strange that was.

We roused Uncle Michael and went to breakfast and Meeting, and then he had to hit the road.
So fast but worth it. That's how it is when the band is in town.

Christmas part 2

 

Some more moments from our Christmas extravaganza.

 

Four generations!

a little frenzy.

                                                       yes, it's the famous American Girl doll. She
                                              has been asking for this for a while and it was her
                                             only present.

                                 Brixton got some fun stuff too.

 

The table of relatives just goes on and on and on....

Christmas part 1

 

We are returned from a lovely Christmas in Arizona. It was my first time having a sunny desert Christmas and I have to say it was fun. We rented a house near where my grandparents live, and had fun exploring the area. It's so completely different from where we live that we really felt transported.

 

 

                                                       Everyone pile on Uncle Michael.

We decorated our little tree with paper ornaments.

                                                  Swimming on Christmas Eve- that's a first.

                                                             One of the many roadside cacti.

24 hours with the band

We love it when Uncle Michael's band come through town on a tour. They always crash with us and Chris or I (this time both!) get to go out and hear them play. It's a whirlwind as they drive in from somewhere and have just an hour or two before sound check and show set-up and then we get the next morning with them before they have to head out to the next stop.

But even with just a bit of time, we make room. For brunch and walks to school, for jam sessions with a real drum kit, and with bongos. For Chris to work the merch table and for both of us to watch the show.

We are always glad to be the Seattle stop on the tour.

Jam Session

 

Ok Uncle Michael.....

 

 

I'm ready to jam.

 

Ok Brix. One...two...one two three four!

                                                

Brixton's buddies

When Brixton was born, my younger brother informed me "you need to make sure Brixton has his own friends. He can't just hang out with Unity's friends all the time."

 

Well Uncle Michael, we're working on it.

 

 

 

How many toddlers can you fit on one couch? Also, how many shots does it take before you get one where they are all looking at the camera? (Eleven)

 At this point there is still a lot of parallel play. When they interact with each other it's to fight over toys. But that's a form of bonding, right?

                   Speaking of bonding....Josephine was pleased to have some time with baby Theo.

               
                               And Oma was pleased to have some time with one of the twins. (I still can't tell them apart yet!)