Surprise visit on Boxing Day

On Boxing Day morning, Michael told me about a call from Debbie -- she was coming to visit us and would be stopping in at the Temple Visitors Center beforehand. Julia and I decided to go and meet her at the Visitors Center and tour the grounds.

When we were almost to the Temple, we got a text that Debbie and her family would be delayed. Since we were so close we went on and toured the gardens, hung out in the visitors center (which is usually closed on Mondays, but one of the missionaries decided to open just in case there were visitors - luckily for us) and waited for them.

After touring, visiting the displays and looking for the cousins, the girls needed to go home.

We took pictures and told stories and then the cousins arrived! I took some obligatory cousin pictures and then we went home while they toured and then came to visit us!

And then the fun began

Since Matthew has been working long hours and hasn't seen his kids very much, Debbie was all in with Opa rough housing with her kids. Corina, Oliver, and James were running to him and from him, crawling over and on him and generally having a noisy great time. Somehow I became the "safe" and got in the game by holding kids or having them hold on to my clothes. Fun, Fun!

Then it was outside to run around the yard, climb in and over the playhouse and toys and of course go up the tree -- high up the tree. Corina is just like her father in the fearlessness of climbing high up into the trees. Over the height of the house. Rachel had gotten back from her breakfast and the kids played with her too - along with the cat. Every kid needs time outdoors.

Corina over the height of the house in a tree

Then it was in a few minutes of quiet time while Opa read a book to the grands.

Julia brought out some craft supplies and the kids were off to the races to make some Christmas things.

I had a really great day watching all the interactions of the kids and what they were doing. Debbie and her children had to leave before it got dark to get home. I felt bad when the rain started as I know that make travel even more cumbersome. Luckily she texted that they got back safely.

Then it was time for Jeffrey and I to start prepping for the Fondue Party - we used some dads who happened to be around already. The night just stayed on a high for Jeffrey and I.