Cookies and Cousins

The girls were extra excited for church on Sunday. First, they got to wear their new super fancy Christmas dresses that Gma had bought them. But most importantly, they got to meet new baby cousin, Beau. And if I had to list things that small Vs like, cousins and babies would be near the top of the list (cousins might actually be the top ...).

Quinn went to church early with Gma and Gpa to help them usher (aka smile at people and be complimented on her beautiful dress). The rest of us scooted in just as church was starting. Otto and Declan were reunited and it was as good as they had both hoped. Mike ended up just referring to the two of them as "the walking bromance."

The kids also couldn't wait to hang with Huxey and make sure he knew that he was just as beloved as the new baby. We even brought up a cool Avengers tent just for him - because being a new big bro is tough work.

After the children's time during the service, Anna and I took the kids to the nursery and Liv ran home to grab Beau. Then in the quieter setting of the nursery, the kids got to take turns holding him and loving on him. It was the perfect place for a meet and greet that wasn't too overwhelming - or germy. He's the sweetest baby and we are all in love. The girls would have held him forever. Dec was very happy to hold him, return him, and get back to playing trucks with Ott and Hux.

After the service was done, we headed downstairs to the Fellowship Hall where all Johnsons were shocked/dismayed/appalled that there were no cookies. WHAT?!?! The cousins were able to rally, despite the circumstances, and joined the rest of the littles running around the basement. Anna and I even managed a Christmas miracle and got five of the seven to cooperate and smile for a picture (the bigger miracle will come on the Eve, when we get all.seven).

After a quick stop by Huxey's house to drop off some hand-me-downs and see Jesse, we headed back to Gma's for lunch and rests. Both Q and Dec were really tired and a nap was greatly beneficial to them. Mike and my dad took advantage of the gorgeous day to head out for some ice fishing.

Once the nappers were awake, we got out the frosting and sprinkles to decorate Christmas cookies. They did a great job and were highly entertained when I told them that Gma didn't love silly things like blue Christmas trees and yellow Santas. Suddenly there were a lot more blue trees. The apples didn't fall far from me ... And because of the cookie disappoint of the morning, my consumption rules post-decorating were more lax than usual. They weren't Grandpa level rules, but I did turn the other way when I saw a second cookie being snagged.

The rest of the day was nice and low-key. Dec tricked me into building a very complicated fire truck out of my Dad's Construx set (Auntie said I was obsessed, but I was just focused. Really ...) and I got everyone washed up. Then it was pizza dinner and back out to the woods for most of us. Quinn and Mike decided to stay back. She was getting a bit of a stuffy nose and his foot was sore after the day on the lake.

Once the kids were in bed, the rest of us enjoyed the fire and watched White Christmas. It was an equally busy and relaxing day. The perfect combination - and just how we like to spend our break.