Christmas Fun

 

Our week and a half of festivities at the Ray house continued gloriously. Thanks to Andrew’s love of Christmas carols, Michaela has been hearing and learning all about the Season’s truths and folklore since Halloween (not kidding) thus she has quite a caroling repertoire including Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, The Friendly Beasts, Away in a Manger, Jingle Bells, and her favorite: Angels we have heard on High. Mimi snagged this angel costume from the church’s stash and M went around telling us all, “Do not be afraid…I bring your joy!”

Michaela, unfortunately came down with a doozie of a cold on Christmas Eve, but we managed to make it to the beautiful service at Mimi and Papa’s church and even to take this family photo of us all dressed up!

Christmas day dawned beautiful and COLD! The Rays had a fun new addition this year of matching PJs. Yes, we ALL wore the same pattern of pajamas all day long. It was beautiful! Truly a fun-filled day. It began quietly with just our family and Andrew’s parents. M got some wonderful gifts and then went down for a nap. Soon thereafter the rest of the clan arrived and we ate, talked, laughed, unwrapped, and ate some more. 3 hours later, M woke up ready to join the party and thoroughly enjoyed playing with the cousin clan. I love cousins. Here are some photos from the day:

 

Oh did we have fun! Andrew was doing arabesques until the evening when his stomach got a bit upset, but we survived. So graciously, Sophie and I remained totally healthy for our entire time. Gratefulness abounds.

The day after Christmas is cousin Nathaniel’s birthday so we headed to the YMCA for a cousin swim par-tay! Michaela  swam as if her life depended on it! She LOVES the water and Sophie slept the morning through. The three girl cousins had matching suits and M and Papa really bonded as you can see! A great time.

We are now home and doing great. Sophie seems to really be responding a lot with big smiles to us all…particularly to Michaela. We have spent the week enjoying the spoils of Christmas. This new tutu is a huge hit with the big sister! Thanks Auntie Diane!!!

Next on the agenda…thank-you notes and sending out our family Christmas card…a little late! Hooray!