Family Ties

This holiday season was filled with lots of Rawsons, including the Daniel and Linda Rawson family who flew in for ten days.  It was so good to see the little Rawson boys and meet our 5-month old nephew, Eli Jeremiah (I want to steal him.)  Rawsons make abnormally cute babies.  Now, if only we could figure out how to make girls...

I had the whole crew over for a dinner on December 22 and while I may have overestimated my energy level for hosting multiple events in my third trimester (no more hosting at my place for at least half a year, thank you), it was amazing to have everyone under the same roof once again.  Daniel's fam missed the photo op that night, but the dearth of Spaghetti alla Carbonara leftovers is proof that they were there.

Here is a random sampling of the cuteness we experienced over their visit.  Did I mention that I love this baby to pieces?  (I still fantasize about having an asian baby.)

Eli is such a good natured little cherub.  He loves blowing raspberries, watching his brothers and cousins play, and is seriously offended if his mom walks by him without at least saying hello.  And I would pay money to see this smile.

Isaac is growing up so fast!  He and Kaleb attend a Lutheran school in Austin because the public options just aren't up to par.  Occasionally, they come home with what can only be described as harmless "Lutheranisms" which Daniel tries his best to correct at home.  One night, Isaac led family prayer and after the normal "we're thankful for Mamma and Dadda" stuff, he said "and we're thankful for Jesus, even though he's dead."  Daniel interrupted the prayer and asked Isaac what he meant.  Isaac repeated himself and Daniel said, "Actually, Jesus is not dead.  He did die, but then he came back to life..."  This was followed by a rather vociferous "HOW?" by both Kaleb and Isaac whose eyes were as big as saucers.  Daniel explained that being resurrected in one of Jesus' powers, like walking on water and healing the sick.  He can do all kinds of things!  And one day we'll be resurrected just like Him...Isaac continued his prayer after this rather enlightening discussion and said, "and we're thankful for Jesus, who is NOT dead."  Precious moments.   

Happy 1st Christmas, Baby Eli!

Of course, Liam was in heaven being around all of these boys.

Possibly Liam's favorite guy in the world (besides Dadda)...

Daniel signed Kaleb and Isaac up for skiing lessons at Deer Valley for three days.  Luckily, they still had energy to sled a few days later with Liam.  Although nearly January, they experienced spring snow conditions during their stay (poor resorts.)  Dang global warming.

Wes's war wound.  He tried going down a slide head first after Liam and this was the result...We made him go home, ice it and take some Tylenol because he was a little loopier than normal.  

Kaleb is the tallest seven year old I know!  He towers over his peers (it must be all of that protein his mom cooks.)  He is excelling at piano and soccer and is quite the perfectionist (runs in the family.)  Eli is, by far, his biggest fan.  Kaleb need just walk by the little guy and Eli will squeal with delight.  

We miss not having these guys as neighbors.  We'll always have these Christmas memories, like when Daniel squirted Diet Coke out of his nose and nearly wet himself after I called myself an Oomp-Loompa.  (I was just trying to explain why Linda should feel obligated to have more children because she looks so good afterwards...and I, well, don't.) Let's all petition Dell to open up a Salt Lake branch!