2018 Christmas was everything the holidays should be: magical, busy, chaotic, exciting, and full of family, love, and laughing. Vivienne was so new we’d decided to stay home for the holiday instead of heading to Florida like we normally do, and at the last minute, both of our families decided to join us in Virginia for Christmas.

My parents arrived first–on my birthday! We had a wonderful dinner out at the Del Ray Cafe and we spent the rest of the week playing with Caroline, shopping for last minute gifts, snuggling Vivi, and taking in some of the best museums. My mom and I also got facials together, which was relaxing and rejuvenating at the same time.

The Friday before Christmas, Matt, Tommie, and Preston arrived. The reunion of Preston and Caroline was nothing short of adorable.

Preston was also excited to meet his newest cousin, Vivienne!

Pa demonstrated mastery in grandfathering. All of these little people are big fans of Pa! (Pa is very good at ‘night night,’ while Kay Kay excels in the art of ‘wake-wake.’)

That night, Preston showed off his reading abilities by reading every single word of Caroline’s favorite book “I’m a Big Sister!” Caroline was a captive audience. I was so impressed with his skills. Kindergarten is treating him right.

The very next morning, we all headed to brunch at Carlyle Grand. Preston continued taking his Big Cousin role seriously by helping guide Caroline on the way to brunch. You can tell she really loves him because if I try to take her hand, she pulls away and screams, “I DO IT!” But not with ‘Pressy!’

After a delicious brunch and juuust the right number of bellinis, it was off to the Christmas concert! The event was held on the NoVa Community College campus, in a beautiful auditorium, and was perfect–high energy, one hour long, great for kids, and excellent choral music for those who recognize and appreciate it (that would be my dad).

These two like sharing a seat almost as much as Caroline enjoyed the candy canes that were handed out!

We were joined by Joy and Luke, and also Lee, Raul, and Roman. It was a festive bunch.

After the show, we took some pictures of the cousins all together. Roman was very excited about this.

Biggest to littlest, as Preston insisted!

Preston and Luke chatted about 5 year old boy things. It made me realize the very first time they met each other was in Jacksonville at Christmas time…Luke was barely 14 months old and Preston was about 18 months old. Time flies!

And then the funniest thing happened–this random little girl grabbed Caroline to be in their family picture. Caroline just went along with it, no problem. She does not have any stranger danger, that girl!

We headed home and everyone took naps and ate a quick dinner, because our next stop was…THE ZOO! Every year, the zoo puts on a beautiful lights display during the holidays. We loaded up the wagon with kids, blankets, hot chocolate, and snacks and headed out for a good time!

The next morning, I left Caroline and Vivienne at home with Mike and my Dad while I ventured out with Mom, Matt, Tommie, and Preston to the U.S. Botanical Garden.

These two had to make good use of their wax cheese wrappers 🙂

The US Botanical Garden had beautiful flowers and gorgeous displays of Washington monuments made entirely out of plant products.

Check out the U.S. Capitol!

Annnnnd, a group hug 🙂

When we got home, the girls headed out to get our toes done (and also pop into the liquor store, haha) while Matt worked his hardest to get Sugar Bear to like him…I think he was pretty successful!

When we got home, we held our own version of the Great British Bake Off…only ours featured a kindergartner and a toddler. We made sugar cookies with cookie cutters. It was a floury delightful mess.

Luckily, Tommie made sure we had enough wine to cover the event!

After all that fun, we popped Caroline and Preston in the tub together and these two cousins had a grand time playing with these little cubes that light up green and red when they encounter water. They are Caroline’s most prized possession, after her baby dolls 🙂

You will note that the wine traveled from the kitchen to the bathtub. #noshamehere

Matt had to come up to assist because at one point during the bathtime fun, Preston exclaimed, “hey, so when am I going to get my REAL bath?” I guess splashing about with your cousin and some light up cubes in a bubble bath doesn’t constitute a “real bath…” Jeez, some people are so particular.

Then it was time for PJs…

We all gathered on my bed for some 2 little monkeys jumping and cousin time!

The next day was Christmas Eve…it came so fast! I dressed the girls in their first-ever matching outfits (courtesy of Kelly!) and Caroline was so proud to hold “Baby Sissy” all by herself.

And then we got to enjoy Kay Kay’s now famous two-color pancakes! These are Christmas trees:

Caroline gave them her seal of approval by devouring each one we put on her plate!

As did Grandpa Harry and Preston.

We spent the day prepping for the big Christmas Eve dinner that night. Here is Vivienne contemplating whether we would have enough napkin rings. Our final count for Christmas Eve dinner was 18 adults, 4 little kids, and 2 babies 🙂

We moved furniture around, set up tables and chairs, set the table with pretty linens (and Christmas poppers! Because we are fancy like that), made name cards, and picked up the meal (prepped by a local restaurant because I’m no fool).

Matt and I had to rush out at the last minute to snag a critical missing item to keep the food hot. Our important trip turned into a joyride where we also grabbed stocking stuffers, more vodka, ice, and Red Bull…you know, all the Christmas necessities!. We also got to call Aunt Carole to wish her a happy birthday!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Tommie and Mike were prepping the food and getting the house ready for guests.

This picture says it all–the champagne, sippy cups, Red Bull, and open windows…because ovens on and 24 people in one spot can make for one hot kitchen!

Mike gave a welcome toast to our guests…

Right as Vivienne threw up all over Tommie’s cute holiday top!

Just keep the champagne flowing…

We took pictures with our favorite people…family, and friends who feel like family!

There may have been a Best Friend Nursing Session going on…

And capturing more pictures.

Joy has known Matt since he was 10–a FIFTH grader! How is that for crazy?

Here is me and my girl…the one who made me a mom 🙂

Eventually, we all sat down to dinner. First up was the Kids’ Table, with this hilarious foursome:

Then we had the “Wise Table” that featured grandparents (except for Lupe and Eduardo).

Lupe and Eduardo were lucky enough to be placed at the ‘We-Like-to-Think-We’re-Young’ table..here is one side of that good looking crew:

The meal was delicious and the drinks were pretty tasty too. We each turned to our neighbor to pull on our Christmas poppers…it’s like a wishbone where each person pulls and whoever has the bigger half is the winner of the prize inside. It was a lot of fun!

Afterwards, we all gathered in the basement so Mike’s dad could read The Night Before Christmas to the children.

Check out how Toby just gets right in there next to Grandpa Harry. And Luke is still wearing his crown from the Christmas poppers. Love it.

I love how Roman (who Caroline calls ‘Ro-Ro’) makes sure Vivienne is comfortable during the story.

Afterwards, everyone headed out, because there was serious Santa-ing to be done!

First step: everyone had to don their gay apparel…this meant matching Christmas jemmies! Time for Kay Kay to read How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

Then, Santa’s elves had to get to work…we even captured Santa putting out gifts!

At 8 am on Christmas morning, I heard a little tiny voice talking to Caroline, who was sleeping in the pack n play in our room…”Wake up, Little Miss! Do you know what day it is?? It’s Christmas Day!” Preston was so excited to have her up and ready to see what Santa brought them!

The Christmas room was behind a curtain, and we caught a video of the kids running through the curtain to see their gifts–an awesome train for Preston and a ball pit + tunnel and fort for Caroline!

Caroline also got a doctor kit, which she loved.

Vivi spent most of her time Christmas morning doing what she does best.

Me and my girls!

Caroline decided to put all of the balls from the ball pit down her jammies…so Mike helped!

Mike served up a delicious breakfast feast and set up a coffee bar too. It made the morning even more delightful.

Kay Kay enjoyed her time with her grandkids, sneaking them Christmas breakfast treats and opening gifts with them.

Here is Kay Kay helping Caroline open Tickle Me Elmo…one of her very favorite gifts!

While Matt got a good snuggle from Preston.

We had a wonderful day just lounging around in jammies, eating treats, and relaxing. Then all of a sudden, it was time to go to Ed and Susan’s house for Christmas dinner.

The same group of people gathered that we had over the night before, except for the Robersons. Uncle Ed had a beautiful roaring fire going in the fireplace and he and Susan served a delicious meal. Caroline loved eating Roman’s overnight oats and running around like a crazy person.

Dad and Uncle Ed got a really sweet picture with their grandsons:

While Kay Kay and Pa took a turn with Miss Vivi. She had been wearing an adorable Santa dress (thank you, Eliza!!) but got too hot! So she wore a dinosaur onesie instead…as you do 😉

Tommie managed to get a few great shots of the three very wiggly cousins!

We played a fun Yankee Swap game, where Matt was the emcee and everyone went home with something new and delightful.

Afterwards, we all had to take a few pictures by their beautiful Christmas tree!

It was a wonderful night. And the Cutest Picture award goes to these three…cousins4ever.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!!