Christmas with The Beelers {A Two Day Event}

In a crazy turn of 2020 events, all of Mike's immediate family recently had covid-19.  Phil and Sara had it first, then Kea and Miguel had it, and the little girls were in quarantine for weeks per the CDC guidelines.  We're very glad they all recovered well, and selfishly thankful that this meant we could all get together safely for a Christmas celebration without too much worry about sharing viruses.

We loaded up the bus with gifts, food, overnight bags, and everything we needed for a short weekend in Missouri and headed "home."  It has been over two months since we'd gathered face to face.

Before we eat and before gifts - photos!

Ages 1, 10, 12, 5, 6, 2, 5.

Diaper buddies.

Kea and Sara made a yummy brunch of biscuits and gravy, bacon, scrambled eggs....no one left the table hungry!  

After we cleaned up brunch, we exchanged gifts.  Mike and I were SO excited to give this gift to Kea.  We took Betty's beloved handwritten banana cookie recipe and Mike worked up the file and then laser engraved it into a wooden cutting board.

It's always a little chaotic opening gifts with this many children, but they are getting older and it won't always be this noisy - someday we'll wish it back. 

I felt like everyone was actually really patient except little Ev who just liked to take everyone's things and dump all the packages.  She was very handy.  She won't be a tiny toddler long, though.  I know this from experience.

After gifts, there were new things to play with, snacks to eat, and games to try out.

Unicorn Monopoly for the little girls and I, and Legos for the boys.

Mike and Miguel took the 5 oldest children outside to play while Kea and I tried to get the little girls to take a rest.  First, a baba with Papa for Evie.

Then a snuggle with Mama.

Mike got his snowboard out of the garage and everyone took a turn.  These little clips are short but fun to watch.

Even Mike took a turn.

Granny worked on supper while we rocked the girls and the others played outside.  Tacos, taco ring, and all the fixings were about ready when everyone came back inside.

After supper and some baths - dessert.

Are we friends yet?

Mike and I, Natalee and Evalynn journeyed out to my folks' house to spend the night, but our middle 3 stayed for a sleepover at Granny and Papa's.  We got them all clean and in PJs, ready for bed, before we gave hugs and kisses and headed out.

Sunday, January 3rd

We met back for brunch again on Sunday.  Cinnamon rolls and yummy breakfast casserole hit the spot!

We played some more games on Sunday after we ate.

I called Bingo and the kids played for quarters.

It was a really good weekend and felt so good to see some of our people.

If 2020 has taught us anything it's to be more thankful for these moments.

Thank you, Phil and Sara, Kea and Miguel, for a wonderful weekend.  We love you all.

Snow ❅

We had a BIG snow today.  It actually turned to ice, but before it did we got out and enjoyed the fluff.  It was coming down thickly when it finally got going at a little after noon, which added to the magic feeling.  

Little Ev stays right in there with the big kids when it comes to outdoor play, even in the snow.  Don't you tell her she's little.  I pulled her in the sled for awhile but eventually let her down to waddle.  I couldn't get a photo or video because I was helping her, but when Evie fell down she couldn't get back up and had to lay like a turtle for someone to help her.  Too much snow gear.  I kept hollering across the yard, "someone lift her up!" until I got smart and Mike or I stayed right with her. 

I haven't been out to play in the snow in a couple of winters.  Two years ago I was pregnant and last year we had a newborn....so when I got ready to go out this year I had forgotten that Natalee's been borrowing my snow boots.  They are really good warm boots and give her good support to walk outside, and I'm happy to share.  I tried to wear my rain boots with boot socks but I have a foot that I smashed with an organ bench some years ago and it's not been quite the same since - after a few minutes outside I realized it was swelling and I rushed inside and had to call Mike in to yank the boot off before it got stuck.  So, Grandma Ann style, I kept on my warm socks, wrapped my feet in plastic sacks and put on my old tennis shoes.  I stayed warm and dry!  She'd be so proud.

We stayed out about an hour before the fluffy snow turned to ice pelts and drove us inside.  I put little Evie down for a nap, made hot chocolate, and Mike shared his stroopwafels.  Our Dutch friends taught us to set the stroopwafels on the warm drinks so that the caramel inside gets warm and soft - so delicious! 

The rest of the evening we listened to the ice hit the house.  We prayed for those who had to travel in it and praised God that Daddy isn't one of them anymore.

Week In the Life {School + Christmas Week + Games!}

Sunday, December 20th

Zayden was the winner for child who ate the most of his pop tart gingerbread house!  

We had worship Sunday morning and then the children all rested before we headed back to the church with our crew for the kids' Christmas program.  It was lovely and we really enjoyed hearing our big kids at the piano.  They worked really hard on their pieces. 

Monday, December 21st

Even though it was Christmas week, we did school on Monday and Tuesday while Dad was at work.  

Mia and Zayden finished up their Biblical dinosaur unit.

Natalee FaceTimed with her friend while she finished her bracing time.

She loves these new markers she got for her birthday.

Time out buddies... probably for life.

The 21st was the night to see the Christmas Star.  It was actually when planets were aligning creating a bright spot in the sky but it was beautiful and everything we needed to help us focus on the season.  You could see it with your eye but way more fun to look in the telescope and with binoculars.  

The moon through our telescope.

Little Evie chatting it up.

Tuesday, December 22nd

The weather was beautiful on Tuesday.  We did work through some school but also got our vitamin D.

Mia worked very hard on some canvas paintings for her family members.

son selfie

Wednesday, December 23rd

Mike's first day of Christmas break and we started with our celebration with Grandma Num and Papa.

Mia's sweet drawings in her new journal from Nannie.

The boys playing a round of Kanoodle before bed.

We let the kids sleep in the air fort.  Natalee opted for the couch - smartie.

I had to end up shutting the tree lights off - it was magical but bright.

Thursday, December 24th

Christmas Eve

Xavier was up early to finish his new Lego set.

Zayden and Mike worked on putting my Martin house together.

Isn't is magnificent? 

We played the day away - babies in the air fort with my baby!

Those eyebrows.

Playing Qwixx with my big kids.

Each of the children had a Christmas Eve box from Daddy and me - a new big soft blanket and books.

After we read for awhile, we cozied up with Home Alone, popcorn, and new blankets.

Ready for Santa!

Friday, December 25th

Christmas at home!  We really had a very enjoyable day!

Saturday, December 26th

We had brunch and then blinged out Mia's bike with her new accessories.

We realized over the holiday that Xavier's shoes were too small but he really liked them so he'd not spoken up.  When we went to the store he completely skipped a size!  Look at that shoe box - size 9 men's!

Games, games, and more games.  I hope we're creating memories the kids will cherish forever.