Let's see, since Christmas Bella, Claire and I had dinner with her mom (Julie) and sister (Arabelle). It was something that I never thought in a million years would ever come to fruition, but before they flew back to Hawaii in early-January, they came to our house and we shared a meal (sans Luke, he was traveling on business). It turns out that as women and mothers, Julie and I actually have a lot in common. And I think it was awesome for Bella to see us in the same room having a civil conversation using inside voices that is not taking place in a courtroom. (Yes, people. I am human and my emotions have gotten the best of me in the past. I'm not proud of those moments, but I think we can all agree that they happen to everyone. Everyone that is human.)
But, I made spaghetti and she brought some blue cake. We jumped on the trampoline and worked puzzles. There was a gingerbread house craft planned should things have been so awkward that we needed some activity alternative to speaking, but we never ended up doing it because Bella, Claire and Arabelle were having so much fun together and no police had been called due to neighbor complaints of battery taking place over at the McGlothins. (I kid, sort of.)
All in all, it was a great way to start out the New Year! In all the fun, this is the only picture I grabbed.
More to come... Lots more... I have like eight months to cover before I can get back into the present day.
