Let the Holidays Begin!

December 17, 2022

Let the holidays begin!  Tanner and Aubrey are out of school, and Brinley is home for the break.  We have all sorts of fun activities planned: extended family gatherings, volleyball at the church and lots of Christmas fun.

So fun to watch these two sisters enjoy each other.  They remind me of me and Britney's relationship.  Bryn and Aub are six years apart, and Britney and I are seven years apart.  It was so fun when we finally began feeling like we were nearing the same age.  When I was at BYU and Brit was in Jr. High, we could talk about cute boys and crushes and fun friend activities.  Brinley and Aubrey seem to grow closer each time they get together.

December 17th...still no ornaments on the tree.😐  We are enjoying Christmas cards from family and friends though.

Grandpa on his electric bike.  He pedals most of the time but has fun with the assist when the wind is too strong.  We've had a pretty mild winter so far, and he has been able to continute his ride to and around UTPB.  This December, I have enjoyed walks outside with my friend Kim Terry, a couple of times with Brit and now some with Brinley now that she is home.

Meet Lauron's new puppy, Willow.  Grandpa likes to refer to her as a service dog.  Willow has come to visit Gram a couple of times.

Chris, Willow and Gram

Aubrey, Bryn and I walked over to visit Gram and something kind of funny happened.  Gram is pretty unaware of  what is happening who is visitng.  When we came in, she was heading back to her blue chair with the caregiver.  Aub went up and gave her a sidehug and sweetly said, "Hi Grandma.  It's good to see you."  And Gram kind of gave her a hug back.  Then Brinley came up and Gram was so excited!  She started waiving her arms up and down and saying, "ohhh!  ohhh! ohhh!" and then they had a long hug with Gram making all of these really cute humming noises.  

We were all kind of laughing because it was such an unexpected reaction on Gram's part.  Aub waited until we were walking home, rolled her eyes and said, "Well, once again it was made very clear that Brinley is the favorite."  The three of us just burst out laughing.  Sorry Aub.  Gram didn't give me the time of day either.  (The three Gwilliam kids LOVE to state how Brinley is Brian and my favorite.  Is she our favorite? No.  Is she the calmest, least argumentative, most easy going?  Yes!)  Gram was really cute to recognize and be so happy to see her Brinley Kate.

Five months old on December 16th!

Spa day for Erin Flores' birthday gift.  Erin, Bryn and I did pedicures and that is Aub across the room getting a manicure.  Tanner was a little indignant (teasing wise) about being left out.  We told him he had a very important part to add by taking good care of Kaide while Erin was gone. 

I bought these two ornaments last year and still love them so much.  Park and Bryn...my cute missionaries.

I got my hair colored but no highlights added.  I did not like it.  I bought a box and talked Aub into highlighting my hair.  It looked great!!  She did an awesome job.  She wanted to do cosmetology for her electives Junior and Senior year, but she can't be in sports and in that program, so she is choosing volleyball.  

A few pictures from our Parker Bryce, aka Elder Gwilliam.  He has been serving as an office elder for six months and just found out he's getting transferred.  He is excited to be back to proselyting full time.