Christmas Eve

Most of my long-time readers know that Justin and I usually spend Christmas Eve with his family for their annual family reunion, and we spend Christmas Day with my family. This year however we switched days due to my brother moving all the way to California with his girlfriend. Christmas Eve was when my family would be able to get together one last time so we could all say our goodbyes to my brother. It was a fun but emotional day for my family.

Justin and I wearing our Christmassy shirts

Matt and Katey!

My parent's tree

Matthew told me he had to change into this more "festive" outfit

Justin playing Connect 4x4 with the kids

This Santa hat was way to small for me, but I wanted to be festive!!

After we had celebrated my nephew's birthday we opened family gifts

My brothers watching the gift giving so intently

Katelyn gave Brandon and Maggie a California themed frame with a picture of them.

She used a photo from their trip to Ireland in the frame. Too cute!!

Katelyn gave her gifts out "for my people", we all got a chuckle out of that

Katey gave me a beautiful scarf that had little butterflies and rhinestones on it!

Matthew gave me this lovely wall art.

Jeremiah got a pretty awesome watch from Brandon

Brandon and Maggie gave my mom a Willow Tree figurine. She loves those!

Collin and Sarah gave me this amazing pocket watch/necklace. The cover has a dragon tail in metal work

We gave Brandon and Maggie a basket of goodies

We packed it with snacks for their drive

I will be making a post about the baskets but here is one we made before it was wrapped up

My aunt, cousin and uncle opening our gifts to them.

Collin Levi enjoying attention

My mom and I worked together to make an album of Brandon and Maggie's trip to Ireland from last March.

There were happy tears 💓

My mom did a great job putting close to 300 photos in the album! In this day and age where all our photos are digital I still prefer to print out my photos too.

 

Justin and I got each of my siblings a book, Caleb was really excited to read "The BFG"

 

We gave Katelyn "All-of-a-kind Family", Matthew got a copy of "Holes", we gave Jeremiah "Robinson Crusoe" and Stephanie received a Jane Austen book

My family gave Justin a couple comic books

My family gave us Ponyo!

and Spirited Away!! I love these movies!

We decided to take a family picture. Collin graciously stood in so I could adjust my focus

Family photo! 

As the evening drew to a close there were many tears as we said goodbye to my brother and his girlfriend. I hope they have a wonderful time in California and I'm thankful they arrived safely and are getting settled in. 

Love, Rebecca

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