Our Kainz of a Christmas

It seems as though Christmas comes faster and faster every year.  We had a family gathering at Shannon and Mark's on Friday night.  Shannon had surgery on Thursday, so she was a little groggy, but that certainly didn't stop us from making noise.  The food was excellent.  Vianey, Aunt Kathy & Uncle Larry's exchange student from Mexico, made tamales that were AMAZING!!!  I can't believe she has been here a year and a half and I am only now sampling her cooking!  I love this photo of her, Grandpa Larry, and Nolan!

Grandpa, Nolan, and Vianey

Christmas is such a magical time for children.  I was so lucky to have my wonderful nephew, Gunner, with Grandpa and me!  He came on Tuesday when Erin had Daegon and just went back today.  Let me tell you - six days of chasing a one year-old while caring for Grandpa has given me an entirely new appreciation for caffeine and power naps.  

Gunner is a little miniature man on a mission.  He never just walks - he RUNS!  He runs down the hallway, runs to the Christmas tree, runs, runs, RUNS!  When it gets quiet and Gunner is around, that is NOT a good thing.  It means that there is going to be objects in the toilet that don't belong, there's permanent marker on something that shouldn't have permanent marker on it, or 9-1-1 dispatch is trying to figure out what "Ah-Da TiKi" means. 

Gunner & Papa

He is such a sweetheart!!

This was my favorite holiday picture of Gunner.  Those little pajamas make him so squeezable!  He already is, but the pajamas just make me want to scoop him up and snuggle.  Our bedtime routine is my favorite.  Last night he was so tired and he isn't very fond of his Pack N Play.  I wrapped him up in a blanket and carried him into the bedroom.  As soon as he saw his "crib" he wrapped his little arms around my neck and tightened his grip.  I rocked him and we sang "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and I decided he could spend Christmas Eve in the big bed with me.  By the time we finished the song, he was sound asleep.
 

Elf on the Run!!!

  

Miss Madeline

Nolan takes gift opening very seriously!

Grandpa & Jackson

No Christmas Eve nap.  Turned out to be a long night for Gunner.

What a CUTIE!!

Jenna Loves Fruit Salad!

Chirstmas Eve was spent at Grandpa Larry's house!  Uncle Lyle, Zachary, Lori, Jenna, Jesse, and Jackson came over.  Aunt Sandy and Uncle Dean came over as well as Mom and Elsie.  Mom made ham, potatoes, green bean casserole, and my favorite - sweet potatoes!  It was wonderful.  It is so nice having a house full of people.  Grandpa adores the company.  Gunner was so good with Jackson, too.  Jackson is a year younger than Gunner and they are so cute together.  Gunner calls him "baby" and pets him and gives him hugs.  Adorable.

Uncle Lyle reading to Gunner

Gunner can make anyone feel better!

It is hard to believe we are on our fourteenth Christmas without Grandma Judy, seventh Christmas without Grandma Jean, and second Christmas without Grandpa Tom.  My grandmothers really set the standard for what Christmas is supposed to be about.  They always made sure that a tree was up, there was a meal prepared, and a gift for everyone.  We have crocheted snowflake ornaments hanging on the tree that Grandma Jean made.  Living in her house, I am surrounded by all these little pieces of her.  All of these Christmases continue to pass by and we continue to see more people pass on and leave these gaps in our lives that are never quite filled.  Another Christmas has come and gone, with new memories made, some old traditions carried on, and resolutions in the works for the year to come.  I swear every year I am going to be a better person and give more than I have the year before because our time here is so precious.

I received this ornament for Christmas the year Grandma Jean died.

Shannon called this morning and invited Grandpa, Gunner, and me over for breakfast.  I asked Grandpa if he wanted to go and he didn't say anything.  I said, "Or, would rather I just took Gunner so you could have some peace and quiet."  He laughed and said, "Yeah, that would be fine."  After breakfast at the Mudler's, I drove Gunner back to Bancroft.  Mom and Elsie came up to visit Grandpa.  When I came home, Mom was just about finished with a book I received for Christmas and we've been hanging out watching TV since.  A very quiet, relaxing Christmas Day finished off with a Packer Game.  PERFECT.  

Merry Christmas to All!