Jill's Journal: As anyone with two sides of the family can attest, sometimes Christmas happens twice! This was actually only our second time to experience this phenomenon as our families have always been plane rides apart. But with the magic of modern travel, the girls were blessed with TWO Christmas celebrations this year. They could hardly believe their luck.
Our first Christmas took place in the Los Angeles-area, in Rob’s mother’s hometown of Northridge. The girls’ Great Grandma Lili has been in the same home for 45 years. Erika is nearly as tall as this petite little lady!
Here’s a benefit to Los Angeles – an orange tree in Great Grandma’s front yard with fruit that will be ready soon. You don’t see that in Kentucky in December!
Our two older girls love regaling folks who lend a willing ear. Their Grandma, Rob’s Mom Andee, got an earful! On their laps are “pillow pets,” half toys/half pillows that the girls had been eyeing in stores for days. Only 20 minutes before, we had made a last minute stop at an office store that happened to carry them and had said no yet again when the girls spied them. But what can we do when Great Grandma walks through the door with one for each? Surrender, that’s what.
Why is it that packing material still makes the funnest toy even at 6, 5, and 3?
A major highlight of the trip south was time spent with Rob’s uncle, the girls’ Great Uncle Punior. Eight months ago, this vivacious outdoorsman and avid boater was stricken by an abscess in his sinuses that left him in a coma for a month. It’s been a long road of recovery from the complications and ensuing brain surgery, so we feel blessed to have gotten some special time with him.
A Henry family collage, clockwise from top left…the girls’ Great Aunt Patti, Grandma, Great Grandma, Aunt Wendi, Great Uncle Brian, and Great Uncle Punior.
It was a lovely two days and on the way home, we were vividly reminded of one of the reasons we left Southern California in 1993…!
Our first Christmas took place in the Los Angeles-area, in Rob’s mother’s hometown of Northridge. The girls’ Great Grandma Lili has been in the same home for 45 years. Erika is nearly as tall as this petite little lady!
Here’s a benefit to Los Angeles – an orange tree in Great Grandma’s front yard with fruit that will be ready soon. You don’t see that in Kentucky in December!
Our two older girls love regaling folks who lend a willing ear. Their Grandma, Rob’s Mom Andee, got an earful! On their laps are “pillow pets,” half toys/half pillows that the girls had been eyeing in stores for days. Only 20 minutes before, we had made a last minute stop at an office store that happened to carry them and had said no yet again when the girls spied them. But what can we do when Great Grandma walks through the door with one for each? Surrender, that’s what. 
Why is it that packing material still makes the funnest toy even at 6, 5, and 3?
A major highlight of the trip south was time spent with Rob’s uncle, the girls’ Great Uncle Punior. Eight months ago, this vivacious outdoorsman and avid boater was stricken by an abscess in his sinuses that left him in a coma for a month. It’s been a long road of recovery from the complications and ensuing brain surgery, so we feel blessed to have gotten some special time with him. 
A Henry family collage, clockwise from top left…the girls’ Great Aunt Patti, Grandma, Great Grandma, Aunt Wendi, Great Uncle Brian, and Great Uncle Punior. 
It was a lovely two days and on the way home, we were vividly reminded of one of the reasons we left Southern California in 1993…!
2 comments:
Madelyn, Liz wants you to know she got the same pillow pal as you and that they must be sisters. Glad you got to spend time with family.
Hey, I've been there. Glad you guys had a good time with all the family.
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