I love holidays!
Especially when they come with surprises!
Okay, so the big surprise this year wasn’t really a surprise for me, but it was for everyone else. Grace invited Mark to spend the Thanksgiving weekend with us; and their arrival tonight was definitely both a surprise and hit with the family. They were staying with Uncle Adam and Aunt Leanne, and didn’t get to town until after nine, but they did stop in for a visit at our house; since nearly everyone else had gathered here already too.
Uncle Adam’s family was away for Thanksgiving this year, though Deborah was staying to spend the holiday with us and with Nick and his family. Since they had lots of room – and guest bathroom Jacuzzis – they were getting most of the family adults for the weekend while we had all of the kids. The only parental exceptions were Uncle Blaine and Aunt Alison; though they were offered the chance to stay with the grownups and keep Jayden with them instead.
The girls – Violet, Dawn, Jaimie, and Kaitlyn – are all on the third floor with me; and Dawn is staying in my room. Everyone else is on the second floor, but I won’t be surprised if Chris and Martin spend most of their indoor time playing video games in my lounge. At least they haven’t drawn a crowd of girls to the house so far! We’ll see how long that lasts. I give it until Friday, and only because nearly everyone is busy with their families tomorrow.
Our family visit began to wrap up at nearly the same time that Dillon got here after finishing work at the Inn; and it wasn’t long before he and Violet had the living room to themselves while everyone else had either gone home or been recruited to help out with getting Ethan, Ehlana, Jayden, Kaitlyn, and Jaimie off to bed. Dawn and I did have to sneak downstairs and catch them kissing once before cutting them a bit of slack, but that was only because it’s one of those things that little sisters and younger cousins are supposed to do. The fun is just a great added bonus!
I’ve been doing this while Dawn’s been busy checking out my Jacuzzi; but it sounds like she’s about done, so I’ll need to finish this too. Chris and Martin are still in the lounge playing video games, but we closed the doors between the rooms; and they’re being reasonably quiet so far. I’m really glad that I remembered to charge up the gaming headsets!
It’s nice to have a house full again, but I’m ready for some sleep. We’re in for a crazy day tomorrow; and with three babies and a gang to feed in the morning, Tai Chi will likely be the only quiet time we have all day.