Surviving Christmas

Christmas got off to a fun start this past Friday morning, going with grandson Jordan to see the Christmas trees from all around the world at Meijer Gardens. Of course, for some reason, he was just interested in watching the trains that were set up. Even before Natali arrived from Ann Arbor on Thursday evening, my stomach was feeling kind of queezy.

By Saturday evening, I was feeling better so we headed out to a beautiful Christmas celebration at church. Before a delicious dinner at Olive Garden, we drove around East Grand Rapids to see the lights and decorations. Everything was so Christmassy!

Up kind of early on Christmas day, we opened some presents with Natali before breakfast. Wow, one of the great gifts was a Wii for us!!

By the time Joel and his family got here, I relapsed into the flu and passed it on to Sue. She had prepared so much good food for lunch, but we had so little desire to eat!

The girls wore their Christmas headgear for opening more presents.
There were lots of neat gifts for everyone. Because of the flu, people find it hard to believe, but everyone had so much fun!!
After lunch the Wii was up and running for some, while for Sue and Bill, we were just up and running...

When Jordan got here he was battling his asthma, which got progressively worse during the afternoon in spite of using his nebulizer. Finally, by late afternoon, he and his folks headed for emergency room at the hospital, and Sue headed for bed. Plans for another family party at our place on Monday were put on hold. At least, after several treatments at the hospital, we got a message that Jordan was getting better.
It was hard not having our whole family together, but Natali and I still had a good time talking by phone with Aaron in California.

You'd think this would all end on that happy note, but no...by midnight, Natali was sick and calling for help! By Monday morning Lynne had it, and by that afternoon, Joel joined the "flu crew". It was just a gift that kept on giving!
We're all doing better now. We even enjoyed some left-over Christmas dinner (and there was plenty left over) at lunch today!

Jordan did a good job in his Christmas program at church, even though he was the littlest one - front and center - in the group letting his light shine.

May the year ahead be one filled with blessings!