it's the LITTLE THINGS that matter most: January 2025

Friday, January 3, 2025

New Year's Eve Christmas

We did not stay with my family until midnight, but we did have our usual Christmas Eve pizza and shrimp.

Cousins in a line.

Grandad reading Luke 2.

And a picture of each of the grandchildren opening a gift. In no particular order...

The 6 of us did stay up until midnight. We were all doing our own things and then we all gathered on the couch to watch the ball drop. We were quickly off to bed then because Aliza had to be out the door at 4:30am for her next adventure! I consider it a Mom win that I did not even hear her leave. I was sound asleep!

Thursday, January 2, 2025

Oldest and Youngest Boy Cousins

First of all, Anna casually took this picture and it is now my favorite picture of Josiah. That natural smile melts my heart.

Second of all, Josiah spent his weekend in WV being led around by Ronan. Even though we were at Ronan's house first, when he got to Grandma and Grandpa's house he remembered all the games he and Josiah did last time we were there.

When a 23 month old tells a 16 year old boy to put the dinosaur egg on his head too, he does it!

This game quickly led to Ronan standing on the truck and jump flying into Josiah's arms.

Isaiah was getting ready for breakfast and Ronan brought his dinosaurs over to play. Amanda apologized to Isaiah for the interruption and Isaiah responded with, "It's ok. It was the cutest interruption."

Ronan sent Josiah home with the gift of his cold. Josiah has been pretty miserable this week. Today, though, he said, "I'd like to feel better. But it's ok. Ronan was dive hugging me with snot flying out of his nose. I would never have let him fall. I love him so much."

Josiah's sisters are convinced that he will make the best husband and dad one day!

Heslop Family Christmas

This year was extra special because, for the first time in at least 18 years, Jeremy's whole family was together for Christmas.

Ronan sat with me for a little bit to play with his dinosaur puzzle. That is a picture worthy event! (Ronan much prefers his Pop-Pop or Josiah!)

This year the cousins were all old enough (except Ronan) to play games together and they had some FUN playing games! Our kids introduced Evelyn and Florence to Exploding Kittens and Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza.

Evelyn and Florence introduced Isaiah to making slime.

Pokemon is still a hot topic of conversation. I'm pretty sure that is what these three are discussing.

When Sarah is here I stay out of the kitchen. She is the best cook and we are spoiled with her cooking skills. Our Christmas dinner dessert was Creme Brulee. That was a treat!

We all traveled to Pennsylvania on Saturday to have a Christmas meal with Jeremy's Mom's family. Florence got to make a teeny tiny snowman with the bit of snow that was on the ground. She was very excited about that. These cousins took a table and entertained themselves. (Yay for big kids!) But also don't be fooled--all of those big kids may have had some bad attitudes bordering on meltdowns on the way back to WV!

On Sunday we had brunch at Grandma and Grandpa's house before some more pictures and saying good bye for this time. Evelyn and Isaiah are buddies. Evelyn, Florence and Isaiah have kept a connection during the year by playing Minecraft and Roblox games together. I love hearing their voice over the Kids Messenger calls.