Family Christmastime 2014

A week together for a full household full of 8 adults and 7 children under age 5 - and that meant: lots of playtime with toys scattered around and furniture moved around; cousins getting to know each other in new ways, growing older each time they see each other; beds and cribs in the basement and closets, and wherever a quiet spot could be found; busy mealtimes but sharing the load - adults took turns making dinners; lots of presents and wrapping paper and boxes; Nonna in heaven entertaining her grandbabies and setting up Christmas decorations around the house for them to enjoy; adult talking time in the evening once the kids were in bed; and of course lots of sugar & salt in the form of chocolate bark and cookies and gingerbread houses and chex mix and popcorn. And cinnamon rolls, of course!

It didn't take long for everyone to get reacquainted. Here was the scene shortly after we arrived... three different books and three different readers. (This was Timo's introduction to The Berenstein Bears.)
 

Avery and Bella and Timo working on hammering the balls.

Aunt Tiff with our cutie pie. Seriously, isn't he handsome? I think it's the expressive eyebrows.

There were many, many moments when we missed Gemma, and couldn't help but imagine what a 4 year old girl would have been up to with her three similarly-aged girl cousins. We were blessed and encouraged to be able to talk through some of those emotions with our siblings and parents, and in particular we were amazed to hear that the 3 girl cousins still talk about Gemma and ask about her and want to hear stories. We hope that over the years Gemma-stories will continue to be a part of our family.

the 5 oldest: Avery, David, Elsie, Timo, and Bella (who got a black eye & nose the first day while playing in the basement)

three generations of Gieser men

Mattias got to try out a play-mat for the first time, and liked it! Now that he is old enough to start finding interest in toys.

Despite all our earnest hopes, we didn't get ANY snow all week. In fact we had light rain on several days! And it was mild enough that we were able to go for walks or play outside a bit. Thank you, Noah and Tiff, for getting the kids out of the house to run around on this occasion!

Elsie and Katie made sugar cookies. Elsie wouldn't ever miss a scene that involves cookies!

Decorating graham cracker gingerbread houses. Timo didn't really "get it" this year; he just ate some cheez-its and then got down to play with the basket of cars.

A favorite play location - teddy bears, trucks and legos. What more can a child want?