Christmas in Fresno!

Christmas Eve was, apparently, undocumented photographically. We went to a family gathering for Dustin's dad's side of the family, the Christmas Eve service at church (lovely, although I was missing my dear church family), and enjoyed my family's traditional dinner of french dip sandwiches (my first time making it).

Christmas morning started like most other mornings these days with trains, trains, trains.



The boys had to be patient while we waited for Jason and Alejandra to finish up their Christmas Morning #1, before we could start our events. Josiah was displeased with his cheerios when he could see the even yummier frosted Christmas tree of rolls waiting.

Elijah obligingly tried to help capture Josiah for a photo under the Christmas tree

Having consumed the Christmas tree and the German sausage (at least some of us!) and read Luke 2, it was time to open presents.

Elijah liked helping Josiah open his presents

And then it was time to play, play, play!

Opening stockings

Doling out the jelly beans

Happy Christmas picture

In the middle of playing, playing, playing, we went out for a walk to the pedestrian freeway overpass.  We got lots and lots of waves and honks, and the ambulance even turned on the siren for us--such fun! Good display of Christmas spirit!

We all enjoyed meeting Jason's fiance; the boys warmed up to her quickly (something my little introverts often don't do easily). She was good at asking the right questions, such as: "Which color should I use?"

Christmas night ended with watching "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer."


On the 26th, we made a quick visit to the Friesens before driving. This was the first year we haven't been able to go to the Friesen family Christmas.

We all still got to open some Christmas stocking presents

And one more train play time!

 

And then a slow drive back to LA! We had just enough time (i.e. 12 hours) to do laundry, for me to see dear, dear friends (who drove to me and ignored the mess), repack, and then head to the airport to go to Phoenix (the boys and I) or work (Dustin).