Nina and Papa are coming to town!

Garrett had been counting down the days till Nina Papa were coming to our town!  He was excited to see them and so were we!

They got in late on Thursday night and we couldn't help but talk to them about their travels...lost luggage...and what we wanted to do while they visited.  The next day Tom and I had to work but Nina and Papa got to catch up on some much needed rest.  That night they treated us all to dinner at Cracker Barrell...I think Papa knew a vacation from cooking was a wonderful present for me!  The next day we decided to make it our "Christmas" together.  Garrett. was. EXCITED!  He couldn't wait!

We woke up and enjoyed a yummy breakfast and then made our way downstairs to open up some special presents!

Graham didn't know what to make of all the fuss but just relied on his big brother to show him what to do.  He just sat there and watched Garrett open his gifts.  As always Garrett was a great big brother and helped show Graham how to open presents!

That afternoon we all headed downtown to the Christmas Parade!  Next to pizza, Parades are Garrett's "best thing"!  He couldn't wait to see the fire trucks.  This was the first year they had the Christmas parade on a Saturday instead of a Sunday which allowed us to finally see it!

We experienced some winter weather and Church was canceled but we enjoyed spending some time together "iced in."  Nina and Papa made a special trip to see Tom get ordained as a deacon in our church.  It was a slight bummer to have church cancelled but they moved the ordination service to Monday evening.  I was hoping for a snow day on Monday but it didn't work out that way at all.  But the Rasey boys got to enjoy a day with Nina and Papa.  Of course they headed to Garrett's favorite place...Kid's Cove.  We took him there during Nina and Papa's last visit and Garrett was proud to show off just how much more he can do.   He is now able to climb just about anything without help so that makes him one proud boy!

That evening we met up with my parents for dinner and then we headed to church for Tom's ordination service.  It was an intimate service that Tom's dad was able to preach the sermon to Tom and I about the roles of being a deacon.  It was a special moment that I will treasure for ever.  I am so proud of Tom and the choices he has made with his life to live for Christ and to be a role model to others and especially our sons.  We are so blessed to have him as the leader of our family.

Here are some attempts at a family photo.  It was late in the evening so these are the best we could get!  :)