The Gillette family was thoroughly spoiled this year for Christmas. Gifts galore, yes. However, it was the overflow of love that we received from our family and closest friends that will be imprinted in our memory. This love causes me to sit in awe and reflect on the love that Christ has for us, for I can't imagine anything more powerful than the earthly love that we receive.
First Christmas
Our Christmas festivities began on the Washington coast at Pacific Beach with the Gillette/Halligan clan. Our days and nights were filled with laughter, food, games, and relaxation. Oh yah, and some rain. It is so fun for us to see Chloe who is just three months older than Quinn. It's amazing how quickly the babes develop in the first year. Quinn and Chloe are adorable together, and it's fun to just sit and watch them interact and play.
Babes with Grandma Cathy (in their matching shirts that you can't even see)
Our homemade "stockings" (thanks Mariah... anyone who knows my artistic skills knows that I am not capable of such a masterpiece!)
Here's a shot of the matching shirt I mentioned earlier.
Quinn loved the ribbons most of all, and this was a common theme throughout all of our Christmas celebrations.
Liz and Dale
Matt and Lora
Eric and Mariah
Emily and Zach
Card games make me happy!
Beach family Christmas!
Thanks for such a fun weekend Grandma Cathy!
Second Christmas (aka: Christmas Eve with the Hines family)
It was a treat to get to spend Christmas Eve in LaGrande with my mom's side of the family. Nearly every aunt, uncle, and cousin was able to make it this year thus creating quite the crowd. We are certainly a growing family!
Quinn and GGrandma (he wasn't too sure about the train set that he's sitting in the middle of, maybe next time...)
Quinn and Jaxon (He's going to make such a great big brother in a few months!)
My favorite Jaxon quote of the evening was "Her's a good boy." in reference to Lucy who he called "that 'ole leller (translation: Old Yeller) dog" most of the evening. He was such a sweetie. It's crazy to think that the last time we saw him he was Quinn's age. Where does the time go?
Third Christmas (Christmas Day)
Between Quinn's sleep schedule and the kitchen schedule, our Christmas morning turned into more of a Christmas afternoon! We figure this might be one of our last (if not our last) year of sleeping in on Christmas day and so we took advantage of that. Before we know it Quinn will be waking up at the crack of dawn! We enjoyed stockings and gifts and then prepared a Christmas dinner for my Nana and Aunt Diane. It was a pretty low-key day, just how we like it!
I have a series of photos that display Quinn's gift opening skills but will have to post those later. For some reason they will not upload. :(
My handsome little boy
Merry Christmas!
So happy!
Here's a sneak peak of Quinn's gift opening strategies.
Grandpa went to Chicago and brought Quinn back some official gear. He'll have to grow into it!
Apparently Santa thought my eyes were looking a little tired?
Happy Grandpa!
Uncle Ryan (and Grandma, if you look hard)
Daddy and Quinn
He's the center of our world!
Fourth Christmas
Last night we had our fourth and final Christmas celebration of the year with Pat's dad's side of the family. It was a quaint group with Quinn's Papa and Nana, Auntie Lolo and Matt, and Uncle Rich and Liz. We ate more, gifted more, and simply enjoyed each other's company.
Papa
Auntie Katie and Auntie Lolo
Nana
To everyone who has made us feel so loved, thank you. We hope that you had a very Merry Christmas and wish you a very Happy New Year!
