This was Grandma Sally’s 42nd year hosting Christmas at the Ranch.  It’s pretty amazing to stop and reflect on how our family has changed over these years.  Thinking of those we’ll never stop missing even though time supposedly heals.  Celebrating the babies born – every grandchild and great grandchild has a place of honor hanging in the family room.  My siblings, cousins and I were once the babies and now we bring our own…I cherish these moments now more than ever and love sharing this life-long tradition with my husband and baby girl.

Some day I would love to share Gramma Sally’s story: raising four children, starting and running two businesses with my grandfather, losing my uncle to cancer, finding true love at 58.  Through it all, she displayed only grace, strength and fierce love for those she cares about, all traits I hope to discover in Alaire.

But I digress…Christmas was a wonderful day!  Alaire got TWO versions of the Night Before Christmas! One, a bear that recites the poem from Grammy Sally & Hank, and two, a book with a tape-recording of F.A. & U.G reading her the poem.  Grammy & Grampa Z got her much needed clothes (thanks Mom & Don, practical is good).

First Christmas outfit purchased in Prairie City, OR by F.A.

Oh, by the way, Alaire has developed an alarming habit of sticking a lizard-like tongue…it was hard to get a photo without that crazy tongue!

We kicked-off our Christmas Eve festivities with a visit to Peacock Lane to see the Christmas Lights with Jessie & Zach (extra special hot chocolate made by Zach). After that, Larisa joined us at our house for clam chowder, presents and our annual viewing of Love Actually (my favorite Christmas movie).  Alaire got a baby sushi teething toy from J & Z and aunt Larisa made her a snowman to start her a snowman collection.  I couldn’t help but get really excited for next year, when Alaire starts to “get” Santa and is so excited she squeals with glee and dances around the house.  I will probably squeal and dance along with her!

We stole a few moments of family time on Christmas Eve to let Alaire open her first Christmas present.  While she did amazingly well peeling off wrapping paper, as expected, she was far more interested in eating the paper than playing with her new toys.  First gifts included clothes (already wearing 18 months) and peek-a-boo blocks from Mom, Dad & Kenzie.  She also got a special hot pink and purple track-suit from Daddy (a surprise to mommy too)!  Also, Alaire turned 8 months the day before!

Since meeting Graham, Art & Rita’s visits are one of the things I look forward to most, especially now, with Alaire.  While Skype enables weekly visits so Alaire can hear her grandparents voices and show off her new tricks, of course there is nothing like our in-person visits.  This trip, Alaire had her first visit with Santa (no tears) and we spent a couple of nights at the beach with Larisa, Jessie & Zach.  Grandpa Art also got a very special t-shirt from Alaire!  And, Alaire got a hiking backpack from Grandma & Grandpa so we can do lots of hiking when we visit Arizona this winter!

Kenzie look so embarrassed! And, it’s Dec 27 and I’ve only sent half of them out!

 

What a treat to have all of us kids home to my parents for Alaire’s first Thanksgiving.  Cousin Katelyn swept Alaire away to play. Grampa Don was forced to hold negotiations with Katelyn for some Alaire holding time.  Warms my heart.

Our Thanksgiving outfit (courtesy of Grammy & Grampa, from a garage sale hosted by a women who adopted a baby girl from China, the little girl wore the outfit on her first Thanksgiving) made it until JUST before the family photo session (oops).

The family photo session brought some laughs.  We told my nephew, Colton, that the last photo could be a funny one, but everyone forgot to relay the message to the deaf folk.  Thankfully, Andria & Andy are incredibly gracious and saw the humor as well.  One day when there’s time (ahhh that sounds like a lovely, but impossible phenomenon), maybe we’ll have to do some Photoshop magic!

I am blogging totally out of order, but this post couldn’t wait.
It seems Alaire avoided the “Late Train” tonight and instead pulled her weight by helping Miss Sarah at the front desk.  She was a very pleasant greeter!