Cracked Head Open 

Merry New Year's Eve!  Another Christmas has come and gone...with relatively few casualties.  Henry cracked his head open, and a bout of croup/flu has ripped it's way through the extended family!

Poor little Henry refuses to believe that Christmas is over.  He is still singing songs, drawing Christmas pictures, and talking NON-STOP about Christmas.  While his love, belief and pure JOY for all things Christmas is wonderful...I'm hoping that by February, we won't be STILL talking about it!








Perhaps the best part of this Christmas, was seeing Henry and Charlie's face light up when Jolly, the Elf moved.  They ran downstairs every morning to see where the sneaky little Elf was!  In those rare moments, I caught Henry talking to the Elf:  "What ARE you thinking doing up there?"  The magic in his belief is something I wish I could bottle up and take with me for the rest of my life.

Letter writing to Santa and the Elves

 All good things must come to an end though, right?  Really, Christmas started in mid-November in Illinois.  We decorated our OWN home, knowing that we didn't have much time to enjoy our own decorations.  While I love the early onset of Christmas, once it is over...I want it OVER.

Cutting down our Christmas Tree in Peoria

I normally fly back to Seattle early with the kids, leaving Brian to finish up a few more days at work. Seattle is CRAZY fun.  8 adults and 9 grandchildren!  Try managing all that, coordinating a few annual pictures, shipping gift boxes from Illinois, Oregon, and Singapore!

Christmas in Seattle with ALL the cousins! 

Christmas 2014

 Christmas Eve is very special!  I love the traditions, and despite the work, the chaos and the amount of money and effort it takes, I know that my children love it and I'm creating special memories.

Christmas Eve Selfie with the Oldest

The Lewallen Family 2014

 My sisters join the fun with their families too!!!  This year's "selfie stick" from my middle sister was a HUGE hit, as was Dr. Who and the continued Army gear Charlie loves.

Marshall Sisters

Grandpa reading the night before Christmas

We all traveled south to Olympia, Washington, to visit Great Grandpa Eldon.  We are so blessed to still have great grandparents to share Christmas with!  Grandpa Eldon told Jackson to: "Keep an eye on those two" (meaning Charlie and Henry!).

Visiting Great Grandpa Eldon

So now the party is over.  My husband has already left to go home.  We were blessed to share an early New Year's Eve celebration with our "mascara friends" and can't wait until we see them again.  For now, I'm praying that my husband has safe travels and that my kids and I do not start vomiting before our 6:40 a.m. flight tomorrow! Here's hoping my husband packed away our Illinois Christmas before heading out to Seattle!  Here's also hoping that our animals are alive and well and waiting for us to return!

Happy New Year!!!!! May 2015 bring prosperity, health and friendship!

Cheers!!!  

Leslie 

www.lesliesluxelashes.com