Twas the Night Before...

Christmas Eve was held at my parents' home this year, with no shortage of Rawsons.  My mom decorated to the nines once again, and everyone was filled with the general merriment that this time of year always offers.  Much to everyone's amazement, we were able to pull of a Rawson family picture (first since my wedding in 2008) with the help of the tripod and many bribes for Liam.  

Yes, Weston, the preggo girl wore sparkly sequins to Christmas Eve dinner.  Do you really think I can hide what's protruding from my knees to neck?  Let's just embrace it, k?  I love our little family of 3.5.

The Bret Rawson fam...Can I get a smile, Garrett?  Teenagers. (sigh)  

Surprisingly, the Daniel Rawson family was the most well-behaved during their family photo.  I don't think it's due to experience...they don't do this very often.  Well done, guys.  Cheer up, Eli!

Papa with all of the boys...including the little teeny one in my belly, who will make the ninth grandchild (eight of which have both x and y chromosomes.) 

I've always thought Wes looks great in red.  And a red apron?  Don't even get me started.  Hubba-hubba.  

Great job, Mamma!  P.S. Can we make honey-baked ham a tradition?  I'm a fan, and I think you're right about heating it past room temperature.  Much better.  

Mr. Liam left his mark on Christmas Eve.  His mamma slaved over a delicious Apple-Pear Crisp (with the help of Dadda's peeling skills), but she waited to bake it until half-way through dinner so that it would be fresh out of the oven for dessert.  About twenty minutes into baking it, Liam snuck into the kitchen and turned the dial up one hundred degrees to 475 F.  Needless to say, my Crisp was a bit crispier than intended (black).  Everyone was a good sport and told me how delicious the bottom half was (liars).  Thanks for your contribution, stinker!  

I have weird big brothers.  If you don't know them, well, you really don't know them.

Lindsay had one too many Shirley Temples, methinks.  College students.  (sigh)

Because scissors just don't do the trick...  

Thank you, Daniel & Linda, for the T.J. Maxx gift card...you know us too well.  And Liam loves his Mr. Potato head!  It's just like the one at nursery!  

Grammy & Papa, you really know how to make a boy happy.  School bus!  It doesn't take much, does it?  Good work!  Wes and I can't WAIT to go to Fireside Dining next week with you.  What a perfect Christmas present.  

Thanks for the snowman kit, Bret, Jen and kids!  Now if only Park City would get a storm or two...

I have a really good husband.  He ate my blackened Apple-Pear Crisp.

And so did I, reluctantly.  I'll eat anything my baby helped to make.

We were all so impressed by Isaac and Kaleb's musical talents.  This little four year old treats his violin with so much maturity (he'd better; it's worth more than he can count...) and plays it like a pro!  Only furthering the Asian-child stereotype ;-)  Of course, we'll do the same with our kids so maybe it's more of a Rawson stereotype.  

You would not believe Kaleb's piano prowess.  I started piano at age 6, and Kaleb at 7 is playing what took me at least a couple of years to master.  Great work, bud.  Keep practicing!  

Thanks to the Rawson clan for making yet another Christmas wonderful.  The fact that we all gather under one roof only once or twice a year makes it all the more special.  Anyone want to go to California this summer?    

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!