The Kavanaughs: Christmas 2013

Despite just having surgery, I had a wonderful Christmas. My sister and her family were here from CA, and my brother and his family were here from ND. It was a crowded house...8 adults, 5 kids, and 3 dogs! But it really wasn't bad; everyone stayed healthy which was so awesome, and it was nice enough the first few days that we got to do outside stuff. I was a little bummed I couldn't hold the babies or go sledding, but I was thankful I was still able to go.

Abel and Ella were so patient and waited until Saturday morning to open presents. All the kids made quite a haul!

Sister Katie and Elias

Abel

Sister in law Katie and Ty

Ella and Jocey trying on their matching shirts...Ella wasn't too happy about it!

Brian and the girls "helping" Ty open his presents

Jonathan and Abel

Abel got an "iPad" for Christmas - it was some kind of electronic tablet type kid toy - but to him it was an iPad! He carried that thing around the entire week.

It was great to start the week off with some warm weather - the kids had fun in the snow. Abel wasn't too sure about it, but I think had fun just being outside.

Grandpa giving those new knees a workout

Poor Bruno...he broke his foot. They don't know how he did it, but had to have it in a cast for a few days.

The Californians having fun in the snow

Ellie loves to jump for snow and water, and Jocelyn loves playing with her

We did some sledding too...we took the 3 big kids and went to our old elementary school where there's a great hill for kids their ages. Not too steep and no trees to run into! Ella only took one trip down and she was done, and Abel would have happily taken zero trips down. I think he went a few times though. Jocelyn could have stayed all day! What a difference a few years makes.

Who needs a sled?

It was way more fun playing on the playground equipment than sledding!

The adults don't exchange presents anymore, but Mom and Dad were so thoughtful and got us all a gift certificate to a restaurant so we could have a night out! They watched all the kids, fed them ice cream and popcorn, and let them stay up late. What are grandparents for?

We had a great time out together. I'm so very thankful to have such wonderful siblings who married such wonderful people! I just wish we all lived closer and could do this more than once a year.

They got the kids matching pj's and wanted a cute grandkids picture. That was quite a feat...it's hard to get everyone happy and awake and the same time!

Pretty good looking bunch, huh?!

One of the days we went to the Children's Museum...always a favorite!

Jocey delivering mail

Ty and Ella planting flowers

Abel fighting fires, delivering mail, and driving a bus

Ella could have stayed in the water area all day long

I love the look on her face...the kid across from her was doing something naughty!

The day before everyone left, we had an early birthday party for Elias. Isn't he just the cutest, most smiley kid?!

He wasn't too impressed with our singing

But once he got some of the cake, he was good

Our New Year's Eve celebration...not a one of us made it until midnight!

And now the photo dump of other random pictures from the week

Ella helping Uncle Cal package some Smart Stops

With the "iPad" again!

Silly Uncle Jim!

Jonathan's brother and his wife came over for a visit - they live in the Cities too

And they got Abel a harmonica! Wow - thanks guys - what a very loud present! But he just loved it, and was so darn excited I couldn't get too annoyed.