a visit back...

in an effort to teach our kids that christmas is about more than getting gifts, we have been trying to teach them to give. i thought of a few people that i knew wouldn't be able to get out much at christmas time this year and decided that i wanted to take the boys and deliver a gift to them. our first visit was to my great aunt norabelle and great uncle jacob. when i was young, we used to live next to them and i spent MANY afternoons at their house after school. she would always make me nestea and have some snack or candy for me. it was, and is, a warm and welcoming home. as soon as we walked in, i felt like i was 6 again. norabelle and jacob are one of the few ties that i have left to my dads side of the family since he is gone and my grandma and uncle have also passed away more recently. i have thought of each of them a lot since our visit. well, adin was the first one in...he marched right in to aunt norabelle and gave her a gift and was glad to sing for everyone!
while we visited, the boys played with a marble game that i too played with years ago. we happened to have dinner with my sister and her family, so they also joined us for the visit...it was fun to talk about times past and catch up on relatives! a picture of our visit! we told them that they would be on my blog...but i am not sure they knew what that was! i left my email and blog for their son (my cousin)...and i'm hoping that he might show them!

the girls of the family! it makes my heart happy and full to "connect"...just to take time out of my schedule to slow down and enjoy a visit, expecially knowing that they can't get out and go as they would like to. i hope to go back again soon...as we always say as we leave.

i am thankful to see my sons showing love and not expecting anything back. although when the hershey kisses came out, they weren't complaining either! :)