Last night was the best holiday celebration we ever had as a family. The night was full of laughter, tears, more laughter ….

We began with our dinner, picked up and warmed up by the kids. Hans welcomed everybody and thanked them for traveling to share their time with us. He sang his proposal song beautifully, bringing tears to everyone’s eyes. He then surprised me with an emerald ring.   The presents kept coming after dinner until there were no more under the tree. 

Everyone had obviously put a lot of thought into their gifts. 

All the couples including Hans snd I got an electronic photo frame.  We can all upload and share out photos which will be displayed on the screen. Unlimited storage, no fees

Share 10,000+ photos & videos worry-free with no storage limit. Easily invite family and friends with the Aura app. No memory cards, no subscriptions.  It will be a great way to keep in touch and share our lives. 

I got some beautiful cards that I’ll use as thank you cards after the wedding and a framed pic with Abby. The kids surprised me with a frame that will hold a photo from their beach front photo shoot from Thursday. Sneaking and clever, they met the photographer on the island and the preview picture looks amazing! 

My favorite gifts were the ones that were not wrapped.  Brenden presented me with a photo display of pictures of me and him, beginning with him in my tummy and ending with me with him and Abby. The song “You are my Sunshine” accompanied the poignant photos.  I sang them to him when he was a child snd he sings it every night to his daughter. 

Caro wrote me a letter that had everyone crying.  

When she was 11, she bought her mom a necklace for her 50th birthday and bought a matching one for herself. Tragically, her mom passed away from cancer before Caro could give it to her.  Caro has held onto the necklace until she “found the right person to give it to”. 

I am wearing it this morning as I write this. Caro described me as “ perfectly imperfect who loves hard and laughs even harder”. She goes on to say, “I’m so grateful and glad that you and Hans are in my life(our) lives—Zach just happens to be a nice bonus.”

And then it was time for the big finale.  The boys put on the karaoke version of Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen and passed out song sheets. All 9 of us sang along enthusiastically to moving content like:

It is gross and funny and still somehow touching. 

My apples did not fall from the tree! 

Unfortunately, this Christmas Eve will find me in the tub, try my hardest to alleviate the pain in my gut and the renewed pain in my butt. It’s a double whammy folks, Jake, Zach Caro, and Lex all went to spend Christmas Eve at Brenden and Clara‘s house with baby Abby and Claire‘s parents. I hope they have fun but I just could not make the trip.  Zach and Caro leave tomorrow morning and I will take them to the airport so at least I’ll get to spend time with them before they leave :