We received the news about a year ago. 2016 was going to be the year of something grand. Nanma and Granddaddy were splurging big time in the form of a family adventure for all 17 of us.

A full year of planning. A full year of anticipation. A full year of excitement building. This past week, leaving just before our city was pummeled with snow, we left real life and gathered with family for some serious memory making.

 

It was all for the kids…totally all for the kids. Really. 

All 17 of us singing the Mickey Mouse theme song together before boarding the first bus to the park. All the various daily costumery. The Mickey shaped waffles and ice creams. Standing in line to take pictures with characters who only use sign language. Seeing people’s faces when they asked how many were in our party. Trading pins every 5 minutes to build our own and everyone else’s varied collections. Singing “Let it Go” along with Elsa at the top of our lungs. Totally all for the 9 kids.

Memories were made. The kids had the time of their lives. And, yeah…I’ll admit it…so did we. It was an extravagant, lavish gift for our family from parents who know that all trips can’t be work, that families need to make the costly investment to go together and simply enjoy each other without burdens. That’s just what we did last week. We looked out on the masses together and said wow, and we held on to each other and smiled until our cheeks hurt, and we let go of all responsibility except the responsibility of relationships with each other and we connected and enjoyed a great example of God’s extravagant love for us that is not deserved and isn’t earned.

We came home to a driveway still covered in at least a foot and a half of snow. Our children have oodles of schoolwork their teachers are insisting they catch up on. And, Mark’s and my desks are piled up with things to do. Real life is still here. But, we’re loving the fact that we have about a dozen Mickey shaped rice krispie treats that we’re going to have for dessert tonight (maybe dinner?) as we recount again our favorite moments together over the past week and dream about our next trip…whenever that may be. Nanma and Granddaddy, we’re game whenever you want to take us again. It’s all for the kids, really, but we’re game.

A very special little boy for Christmas calls for some some very special fun. I have been seeking out some things we could do together, and this one had me all excited (it may have had something to do with the endless french toast with carmelized banana). Today, we joined a bunch of other families and a lot of Christmas sweaters for Maggiano’s Breakfast With Santa where little sugarplums could eat crispy bacon, eggs, and said french toast until their little hearts and stomachs were content while enjoying hot cocoa from a special North Pole cocoa station and Elf-movie-like decorated cookies (think chocolate sauce, caramel, and marshmallows).

Please note Lydia’s raised pinky. She is so red carpet. And, clearly, Drew has followed in his father’s footsteps with his experience of enjoying his bacon.

As for this little one? He’s all about all-you-can-eat buffets (Exhibit A: the cheeks). What we weren’t sure of was if he’d be all about Santa. We managed to get the quintessential Christmas Santa picture, and I’m very happy to report that all 5 children humored me for it.

Ashlyn’s favorite spot was the cookie decorating station. Merry and bright Lydia went onto the craft area and drew a picture of Santa that she proudly displayed for all to see. Drew made this picture on a star and presented it to NJ, telling him it was Santa on his throne of lies (too much Will Ferrell for us?).

My favorite part of all wasn’t even part of the package deal. All that Santa, sugar-loaded cookies, candy canes in cocoa, and all you can eat french toast put everybody in the Christmas spirit. Jolly old Saint Lydia managed to get all three big kids to sit on her teeny lap and tell her all sorts of silly things they may or may not want for Christmas.

Oh, how I love these kids and those sweet little feet that are sticking out from under the big kids.

Guess the endless french toast and multiple cups of coffee brought out my Christmas spirit too.

 

After nearly 2 months of waiting and watching daily to see if he would be a YouTube star, THIS happened while I was in China.

My phone exploded with texts right as were leaving one morning as my family erupted with excitement.

Drew’s totally famous. Like over 800,000 views famous.