Christmas 2018

Christmas was wonderful and magical!  December is my favorite month of the year and this year was right there with one of the best!  The weather was chilly in the desert, we attended a few incredible parties and we stayed healthy.  Every morning I wake up grateful for all I have and feel so much happiness I could burst at times. 

 

This year, I tried to keep things simple for the kids and focus on making memories instead of buying a bunch of gifts.  I failed and spoiled them with everything on their lists, but they didn't ask for much.  Kam and Owen got new Fitbit Versas and all Logi wanted was a Megazord.  Owen was already doing push ups this morning counting his calorie burn one calorie at a time. 

 The best part of December is all of the parties we get invited to which gives me a chance to reconnect with all my friends.  The Mended Little Hearts Christmas party is one of my favorites and the Atherton's were gracious hosts again this year.  Their sweet Becca ended her fight with CHD this year at Stanford and our entire heart community was impacted by this incredible woman's life!  The Atherton's have been incredible to me and Owen at Stanford and they will always be family.  The party was incredible with the most compassionate Santa ever!

 Owen had his monthly cardiology visit this month at the hospital and everything looks great!  We found the Donate Life AZ tree in the lobby with Owen's photo and story represented on the tree.  We had plans to write the donor families this Christmas season but I have been at a loss for words.  I am still working on finding the right way to say "THANK YOU" for giving my son the gift of life. 

 Make A Wish invited us to Christmas on Comstock party to make cookies, hot cocoa and snow.  We love Comstock and drive through there several times during the Christmas season.  The entire street is lit up and coordinated to music.. it's pretty fun!

 Our Phoenix Children's transplant team has a huge party for the transplant patients each year.  This year had face painting, a delicious taco bar, Star Wars friends and Roy was on DJ duty.  We danced with Kylo Ren, caught up with all our transplant friends, doctors and nurses.  Santa gave out some pretty awesome presents (Owen got a drone) and we had the best time!!  We are so lucky to know so many wonderful heart families all over the world, but Arizona has some of the best!!

 Every year we find Santa's mailbox at Macy's and send off our letters to Santa.  They give a $1 back to Make A Wish for every letter sent!!!  How can we not get behind that?

 Christmas Eve was low key this year.  Kam made cheesecake, the boys sprinkled reindeer food all over the front walkway and Santa got chocolate crinkle cookies this year.  We usually go out to a prime rib dinner but nixed it this year in lieu of cereal.  Not kidding. :)  The kids opened their Christmas Eve pajamas and we had a quiet evening at home. 

 Owen woke up at 4am and quietly laid in my bed until the rest of the crew woke up.  They all loved their gifts but were more excited to give the gifts they picked out for Daddy.  Kam and the boys surprised me with a new wallet (mine is 8 yrs old) and Kam bought herself a surprise I'll post about tomorrow.  She deserves her own post.

 Logan only eats COLD chocolate, so I laughed when I opened my fridge to find his chocolates taking up an entire door. This boy is a gem.

 We went to my parent's house for Christmas dinner with my Sister and her family.  It was the perfect end to our holiday and we had the best time playing all of Gigi's crazy games.  Never Have I Ever is a super crazy game (take out all the inappropriate cards) and we laughed pretty hard!

 

Look at these pictures... how can I not feel incredibly blessed??  Merry Christmas from our family to yours!!! I hope your Christmas season was beautiful!