A 'Wahrmunilla' Christmas!

The Family

We have had a lot of great Christmases, but this year definitely ranked at the top.  The bro and family came to Virginia and we didn't have too many plans other than to just hang out and enjoy being together.  Scott, Nik and Max arrived on the Saturday before Christmas and my other niece Bree and boyfriend Chris arrived the day after Christmas from New York where they spent Christmas with his family.  Instead of writing, I am just going to post pics to summarize the blessed good ol' fashioned 'Wahrmunilla' (Wahrmund-Tranilla) Family Christmas!

At the airport waiting. 

Boys thought we were picking up one of Jay's friends, it was a total surprise when they saw Auntie, Uncle and Cousin Max walk out of the terminal

Leaving the airport with my family...such a joyous feeling! 

The thing the boys love about cousin Max is that she always plays Wii with them, so Uncle brought the Wii and they started playing as soon as we got home that night! 

I wanted to do something special with them while they were here, so the next day we piled into the rig (we all fit!) and headed two hours south to visit the quaint town of Colonial Williamsburg

A Colonial Santa! 

Boys and Uncle being silly 

Really had no idea what we were in for coming to this town.  I just heard it was something we ought to do at Christmastime.  It is full of little (overpriced) shops and decorated for the holiday and it was pretty cool.  Then we saw that you could walk down a whole street that is made to look like you are walking through a real town back in colonial times.  It was just turning dusk and lights started to come on throughout the town, it was so cute! 

Then suddenly people started gathering at this building.  We had no idea what was going on, but we knew something was about to happen, so we just followed the crowd.  Turns out, its the nightly routine of the "lighting of the capitol" with the fife and drum corp marching through the streets.  It was a pretty amazing event and so cool that we just happened to be there at the right time.  That alone made the long drive worth it and my bro and Nik really enjoyed it. 

Nik preparing the cinnamon rolls Christmas Eve...a family tradition

The morning of Christmas eve Scott, Nik, Max and I did our trek out into the crowds to do last minute shopping.  Its insane and its hustle and bustle and its so fun!  We had lunch at Chick Fil A and Starbucks...perfect!  We got our crab legs and shrimp for our traditional seafood Christmas meal but forgot a cooler, so the juices leaked out into my car and it smelled lovely for about a week.  While at the mall I found these fabulous boots marked way down at a store that was going out of business, so I had to get them for my niece who loves sparkly things and high heels just like me.  Had her open them on Christmas Eve and as you can tell, she loved them.  She will probably never wear them out, but its fun for her to add to her collection.

Christmas Morning - Santa came!

Trev loved his new "strider" bike that Jay Santa made...But because Santa just re-made one of the boys old bikes by removing the crank, it was still too tall for him, so the training wheels had to go on (totally defeating the purpose of a strider bike...but whatever!)  He now has a green bike with Monster Energy stickers on it.  He's working his way up to that dirt bike...

Then, a mysterious knock was at the door and when I answered it, I had this lovely sight.  Santa was very ambitious this year!  Been saying I want a diamond ring for years, but as soon as I say dirt bike, he's on it...interesting how that works...

It came complete with all matching gear...Santa did well!  Can't have a pink bike, but I can have pink everything else!

The boys and I got guitars because I want to learn the instrument that my dad played and I want the boys to experience it with me.

But for the most part, all they wanted to do the rest of their Christmas break was play on their new 3DS XLs...

The gift Scotty picked out for me at the Santa shop at school

Jay and Scott 'racing' on the little bikes...its all fun and games boys...

Our neighbor brought over a goodie package and in it was a bottle of chocolate dessert wine.  Nik and I fully enjoyed the entire bottle.  It was like chocolate milk with a little kick!  LOVED IT!

Trying to pose with our matching tats, it was just too funny, we couldn't get a good pic to save our lives, it was just so cheesy!

It even snowed a little bit while they were here.  My brother was hoping to get snowed in, but no such luck

Nik and I had to head into DC to pick up Bree and Chris at a bus station near China Town...we knew we were where we were supposed to be when we saw this.

Bree and Chris are really into dirt biking too so Jay got them Monster Energy sweatshirts

When we got home, the guys had gotten some pizzas and I was in the living room lookin in at the kitchen and it just gave me the warm and fuzzies all over...just listening to the noise and chatter and seeing my family together right here in my kitchen made me so happy.  I had to take a picture of it.

And this might well be the best thing about the entire week (joking...kinda)...I have never had one of these, and to be honest, never wanted to try it because the packaging is weird.  But OMGoodness!!  So yummy.  Chris brought it for the bus ride and we pretty much finished it off for him. 

That night once the girls were together, they broke out Just Dance 4 and we had a good time watching them dance.  Of course Nik and I always get up there and do some obnoxious routine, I think this time it was Rock Lobster...always a good time.

Here the boys joined in...Scotty actually has some moves!

On Friday, Scott and Nik took the boys to see Monsters Inc and I took the girls to town to do some shopping, lunch and hanging out.  It is what we do whenever we're together and I had looked forward to spending this time with them.  They bring out my girly side :)

Here we are trying out hats and tiaras at a store we discovered called Charming Charlies...I could live in that store!!  What a brilliant concept!

Then, Friday night it was just adults night, just Jay, Scott, Nik and me and we headed out to the bowling alley.  Got greasy bowling alley food and Nik and I drank these very large alcoholic beverages.  The Margarita was so yummy...but I got tipsy and fell down my stairs when we got home...

Bree and Max back at it with Just Dance 4 on the morning they were leaving...I could watch them do this all day!  They are so good at it!

Goodbyes are so hard...but I know we will see them again.  Hopefully sooner rather than later.  It was truly the best Christmas week ever and I love all the new memories we made.

 

Prayer of St. Francis

My Sandy Hook Angel

Because I can't seem to shake the thoughts of the parents and families suffering in Connecticut.  Because I am struggling to understand why bad things happen to good people.  Because I can't hug and kiss and love my boys enough right now.  I pray...

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Heavy Heart

There are no words...just heartache for the parents of those precious children...and all I can do is thank God for my blessings...and pray.

Club Christmas Party

You wouldn't think a dirt bike club would host a Christmas party at a swanky country club...but they did.  Cocktail hour, full dinner buffet, kids party (complete with babysitters) on the lower level so the adults could enjoy the live music and dancing and prize giveaways on the upper level.  It was a good time and great to see some of our new friends out of dirt bike gear, cleaned up and looking sharp.  I was able to have a few margaritas with Jay as my DD, and laugh with an old friend from Juneau who recently got orders to DC and joined the dirt bike club with her husband and two boys.  It was a good night and we were reminded again of how fortunate we are to have found this club and be surrounded by such a great group of people.

These beautiful sparklers have yet to see a dance floor...I think my feet might've been a bit overdressed, but who cares. They are fabulous.

The big screen in the back played pictures and videos that members submitted from various dirt biking adventures...it was fun to see the boys and Jay up on the screen a few times :) 

Our pals Nancy and Pat

Nancy just started riding and I can't wait to someday join her - there are very few women in the club

Deidre and Kim, more friends... 

Gretchen (and hubby Tony) were stationed in Juneau with us and Gretchen and I played softball and volleyball together. So crazy that they are now here!  Yet another set of Juneau friends here in the DC area.

The band was not good...nothing inspired me to get up and dance, though I don't know that I would've even if it had.  Despite my fabulous dancing shoes, deep down my mood was a bit somber thinking about the tragedy from the day before.  So, I fully enjoyed my alcoholic beverages instead... 

Jay's Christmas Party

The National Command Center Christmas party was our first official Coast Guard function in years and we had a great time.  We met his coworkers in DC at a restaurant called Fogo de Chao and it was an awesome experience.  All you can eat, any cut of meat?  Fabulous.  I had fun getting to know the people Jay works with, which is something I haven't done since our Juneau days.  After lunch was over, we had a good laugh during the white elephant gift exchange.  It is a good group of people and it is understandable why Jay says this is one of the best jobs he's ever had in the CG...

En route via the metro into downtown DC... 

After you make a trip to the beautiful salad bar, you flip your card over to green once you're ready and the waiters just start coming with the meat... 

Not even sure what this was by this point...

Filet Mignon...they just keep coming until you turn your card back over to red...it is crazy! 

The gift table

I chose not to participate, but Jay got two deer bags and a fold up camo rain suit (the guy bought it with Jay in mind...)