2019 Christmas

It was another magical Christmas season in Sacramento--one of our better ones, I think. It was also the end of an era in which we all stay with Mom and Dad to celebrate Christmas morning together, so I savored every last second. Ash and Log have recently moved back to Sacramento (yay! yay! yay!) and while they were disappointed that their house wouldn't be ready to move into by Christmas, I was so relieved that we would be all squished together, just one last time. There were 21 of us under my parent's roof, and I just love the constant party, the cousin games, the back rub trains and the movies by the fire. This kind of chaos is my happy place. Maybe next year will come and everything will feel as normal as it ever has, but part of me fears that Christmas will never be the same and it makes me sad. I hold tight to my family like a nearly 35-year-old probably needn't, but they are my traditions, my holiday, my home. I've been called overly sentimental in the past, you think?! All that to say, this year was straight from a movie for me.

The kids got their big gifts in LA since it was too much to take, and Santa brought a few little things for them to enjoy in Sacramento. We went on lots of adventures, ate a ridiculous amount of delicious food, hosted parties, went on family runs and made so many beautiful memories that I will always treasure. This Christmas was nearly perfect in so many unexpected ways and I'm humbled and grateful for the joy we shared.

And now...photo dump a la Ashleigh since my phone never seemed to be in my hand at the right time (bless that sister of mine!)

Two bikes for T and Quinny, a pitch-back net for Ever and a "jumparine" for Corabelle. They were all so excited and this cozy room felt so magical!

We've never had Christmas morning in Los Angeles so even though this was a few days early it was still lots of fun. 

James and his namesake, little Jamie. Such a cute little guy!

Sister, sister...midnight cereal parties were a nightly thing, and I just love that girl so much.

Running with this crew on the bike trail was more fun than I can even explain. It was beautiful and fresh and yes, it was cold, but I loved it (not the cold part, the running with them part).

Caught cuddling to a movie with my little buddy!

I love this little cousin crew and it makes me giddy when they're all together.

The triplets at Dove Court--Quinn has gotten so tall recently.

Talmage accidentally stepped in a puddle and without a second thought Kai jumped into it as well so that he didn't have to suffer from cold feet alone. I know it was a silly thing to do but the sentiment was so sincere and beautiful. These cousins are really sweet!

Christmas Eve morning at the Sacramento Zoo. Highlight was the lions pacing back and forth for at least 15 minutes.

FROZEN 2 WAS THE BEST MOVIE EVER! I'm not kidding, I loved it. We've been waiting to see it together as a family on Christmas Eve and now I want to see it again and again and again. I loved it. Soundtrack on repeat around our home as well.

Halfway through the nativity Quinn the Wisegirl looked around at her cousins all dressed up and started laughing hysterically and said, "This is hilarious!" It was as if she just realized that everyone was playing dress-up and taking it waaaay too seriously. The crying cow and the grumpy star, the exuberant Line and the angelic Mary, the lightsaber-bearing shepherd and the truly precious angel were icing on an already delicious cake. This year's nativity was the best yet.

It's a fuzzy picture but I think my favorite gift this year was the Dodgers corn hole set that my parents had made for us. We've already played a few games and it's soooo fun, plus I love my Dodgers so this felt extra special!

Quinny loves to help in the kitchen and Aunt Mad was the nicest to give her a job.

Matching jammies and dolls thanks to Grammie!

Visiting Aunt Ann's new California property and feeding her donkeys and horses. 

In lieu of sibling gifts we went on a sibling date and it was SO MUCH FUN! We went to Dave and Busters and then got ice cream and watched a movie. My favorite part was seeing what everyone picked out with their tickets.

We had a Remembering the Decade Party with delicious food, an epic dance party, dance move charades and a timeline with family important events. We are going to keep it as a capsule, and in ten years will pull it out and remember all the amazing things that happened in this decade. It's weird to think that the next time we celebrate a decade past T, Kai and possibly Ev will be on missions or in college. Time is such a silly thing sometimes. 

Mom and Dad don't mess around when it comes to apps, and I'm so grateful!

One last run with the ladies in gray!

There was snow over the grapevine and the kids, especially my younger two, were desperate to get out and play. We lasted about three minutes before remembering why LA is such a good fit for our family! Merry Christmas!

Taylor is 30!

We belted her songs on the way to the restaurant...and then to dessert...and then home, we read articles about her most clever lyrics, we bought a ridiculous amount of superfluous merch, we planned our outfits to Lover Fest West and we brought candles and literally sang happy birthday to our girl, Taylor, in Sweet Lady Jane. I mean, are we super fans or what? Happy 30th Tay on 12/13, we love you forever!

Whooping Cough

A few days ago Cora tested positive for pertussis and the whole Wiggy household pressed pause on normal life. And when I say pause, I really mean we pressed STOP on normal life, and those caps are not an exaggeration! All four coughing kids were put on antibiotics and kept home from school and we've spent time quarantined with gingerbread men and Disney Plus, fielding calls from the LA County Department of Public Health and urging friends to get their babies checked. Our door is always open and our house usually full of friends so this last week has seemed both quieter and crazier than normal. I may have a serious case of cabin fever, but we're on the up&up health-wise so I'm counting my blessings, and the list is long.

When a kid gets sick it's always sad, but when I saw my baby cough and choke and gag until her face was blue from lack of oxygen, now that was terrifying. It all happened so suddenly--a prolonged but insignificant cold was quickly a midnight emergency--and at the risk of sounding dramatic I spent a few nights this week with her sick, little body cuddled close to mine, begging God to help her get better. My mother's heart could barely handle the fear on her face during a coughing episode and the sobs that quickly followed, oh my goodness it's been a long, sleepless week for that brave girl. But last night she slept and slept and was only up coughing one time, so we're all feeling significantly more human today, thank heavens!

Our family is all up-to-date on our vaccinations and I really have no clue how Cora caught this yucky bug, but instead of driving myself crazy with speculation I'm choosing to be grateful it wasn't worse and that we are blessed with good doctors and easy access to medication. Although I've heard her cough will probably hang around for months, I think the worst of this sickness is behind us.

 

Some pictures of Fancy Nancy Corabelle from the last few weeks, oooh I love this girly girl. This last beach picture was from today, and I'm just so dang grateful that she's doing so well and smiling again. She was so happy to play in the sand and kept saying in her mousy voice, "I just wuv a beach day!" Like mother, like daughter, girlfriend! 

Venice Christmas Run

My running journey started a year ago this month--happy anniversary Runners Club!!! We trained for the Venice 5k and I honestly thought it would be one and done, but then we ran a 10k, and before we knew what was happening we were signing up for a half marathon and then a whole slew of other races. An alternate name for our Runners Club is Team FOMO because if one of us says we're doing something the others follow whether they want to or not. It's a problem in the best sort of way, haha! I love these girls and am eternally grateful for their friendship, I don't know how I could survive without them.

This year I was in waaaaayyy better shape than last year, and I ran my 5K a whole three minutes faster which I was thrilled about. I'm improving! But even if I hadn't, this race is so fun I'm always glad to be a part of it. There are lots of happy people, snow at the finish line and lots of swag. I hope it's a yearly sort of thing for the rest of forever. And of course, this race isn't complete without delicious post-run brunch. Yummy!

Corie gave me this medal hanger for Christmas and I'm obsessed! I hung it on the wall opposite of my bed so that I can lay down and look at all of the incredible races I have run this year and be proud of myself. It's working! I hope to fill it up double time in 2020. 

{Baseball} Diamonds are a Girl's BF

The boys have started taking private baseball lessons to get them ready for their little league season and these girls have become flower crown making pros in the process. Quinny is excited to start t-ball in February but until then I'm enjoying the girl time and sharing my elementary school skills.