I hate goodbyes.

It's always so wonderful having family come to visit but I dread the day they leave. This time was even worse because I came down with the flu and have been feeling awful for 2 days.

We did have a terrific time together though, as usual. I feel like I'm at the point in my life where my "grown-up" life takes shape. You grow up with this idea of what your life will be like and then before you know it, it's completely different. Different in some amazing ways and different in some unthinkable ways. Life is bittersweet sometimes. I keep praying that God is directing all of our lives in different directions to help us earn our salvation where it's best for each of us, so that we can spend eternity together. I just hope I don't miss the party.

Anyways, Mommy and I took Ace to Starbucks downtown for some caramel apple cider and hot chocolate. Then we took a walk around downtown. They have the entire area decorated with lights and activities and it's so much fun.

Daddy came on Friday and Ace had something planned for every moment with his Pop-Pop. First they got right to business and made the gingerbread house, a first for Pop.
We all went to the vigil together, but alas I did not get any photos to share. I always feel funny snapping pics in church, especially when it's dark but I did snap one. It would've been the perfect photo of St. Savva of Kalymnos' stole but...
someone stepped right in front of the table it was laying on. Maybe next year...

Sunday was Ace's birthday party. We did a Christmas "theme" this year. He wanted a gingerbread cake, so here it is. I used marshmallow fondant and then "glued" the candies on top by wetting the backs with water. Everything else was done with a stiff buttercream icing. I planned on putting little gingerbread men next to the house but didn't get time to make them.

We also gave each child a tin of homemade play dough; red peppermint with a candy cane cookie cutter or brown gingerbread with a gingerbread man cutter. I used flavored oils to get the scents. They painted ornaments and ran around the yard chasing the chickens and trying to feed the cows. I also had a cake for my father-in-law, whose birthday was last week.

It was pretty cold outside so we started the fire early and roasted marshmallows and sipped hot tea and cider.

Overall, it was a great time and I was thankful to be able to spend time with my family. We got some great photos of the boys with their grandparents and great grandparents (minus one in Ohio, who I'll photoshop in).

I can't wait to go to Ohio this winter to visit, I'm such a baby when everybody leaves. I pout for at least 24 hours every time.

So I've spent most of today letting the kids run wild in the house eating graham crackers everywhere and pouring their own milk while I lay on the couch (unable to move without wanting to vomit) writing my sorrows away in my journal and catching up on my blog reading. Maybe when poor DH comes home from work he'll see exactly what I do every day...because it's all laying around waiting to greet him. ;)