Vacation
Every year we take a family vacation to St. Simmons Island, GA. Grandparents, friends, and cousins come, and the beach house is alive with love and fun. We spend our days on the beach, playing, eating snack, and enjoying each other's company. In the afternoons we get dressed up and go out to dinner or pile into the kitchen to cook together. Evan and Uncle Ryan are normally in charge of cooking. Aunt Ciji loves a beach walk and every night we watch the sunset. Then all the kiddos sleepover in one room, watching movies or playing board games.
Our family spends every holiday together and has rich traditions that make each holiday feel special. Christmas is particularly magical. We decorate the entire house with lights, trees, and a giant Christmas village. Leading up to Christmas day we have a "cookies with Santa" with all of our friends. We go to the Christmas tree farm to pick our live tree. A special tradition is our "wishing angle" ornament. Christmas Eve the extended family gets together for a big dinner, singing, and fun. Our entire extended family feels so excited to get to share these traditions with another child.
Game nights with friends and family are dear to us. Some of our favorite games are phase 10, uno, apples to apples, and dominos. We have tried our hand at monopoly, but it was a little long and heated! Some friends recently introduced us to the game Rummikub. It is a little complicated for the kids, but that hasn't stopped game night. All the kiddos load into the living room for a movie and to play go fish, uno, or old maid. Having all of our families together create a night of fun. Another baby would add to the joy!
Our family plays an important role in our lives. We feel especially grateful our children's great grandparents are alive and involved. "Papa Charles" loves to cook and brings the boys homemade cakes and cookies every time he visits. "Mema and Pop" have a little farm, and the kids love getting veggies out of their garden or playing dominos in their sunroom. "Great Grandad and Pat" often travel. On every adventure, they send a postcard to each kid and pick up a special prize. "G-G and Pa-Pa" stock banana popsicles and always have a story about the "olden" days.