Christmas Fun and a some not so fun...

Daddy (Sawyer), Mommy (Karen) & Uncle Alan playing with Haddon

      Our family Christmas adventures started with a trip downstate to have a family celebration together at Joyce's sister's home on Sunday the 23rd. We stayed with Joyce's parents for a couple of nights while down in the Mason area. We had two new additions to the Stuart Christmas; Haddon, born this past summer to Karen (our niece) & Sawyer, at his first Christmas, and Melinda a lovely young lady from North Carolina, recently engaged to our youngest nephew, Scott. We were missing our daughter Jenni, who is enjoying a month in South Africa with her boyfriend Songo and his family, and Lisa stayed home with our granddaughter Olivia who was recovering from the flu. We had a great time together, enjoying a wonderful dinner, opening presents (the kids), playing games and watching a slideshow of our nephew Alan's recent mission trips to Africa.

Cole enjoying his new truck with his Great Aunt Nancy

Haddon checking out his new outfit...Sawyer seems to smell something, 

might be time for a new diaper!

 Great grandpa playing with Cole

Nap time for Scott & Melinda

     Joyce and I drove home to the UP on Monday. Some time during the night we both ended up with the flu...so Christmas day was not one we would love to repeat any time soon. We received an e-mail letting us know we weren't the only ones down with the flu...Scott, Melinda & Jeff (our brother-in-law) all came down with the flu the same night we did. Jeb & Lisa were planning to come up Christmas day but delayed until Wednesday to give us a chance to recover. By Wednesday we were much better off and were able to enjoy our Christmas a day late. 

Olivia & Cole opening a gift from Aunt Jenni

The kids and Lisa enjoying Jenni's Photobook

Of course Cole thought the box it came in was more fun

 The kids helping Grandma open a gift

Olivia with her new pull-over towel that Grandma made her for Christmas

 Cole enjoyed playing with the ribbon

Cole would rather stand than rock in his rocking chair

     After enjoying a nice supper together Jeb, Lisa and Olivia went outdoors to enjoy some time in the hot tub. A great way to top off our delayed Christmas.

 With temps in the teens the hot water feels pretty good

After her daddy dared her, Olivia made several runs through the snow in her bathing suit. The hot tub made for a quick recovery.

Merry Christmas everyone!