Goodbye 2016

President Monson once said, "Effort is required, but it is effort that you will never, ever regret."

Anastassatos Family Christmas Party 2016

 

Well. After some research I finally figured out how to take inside pictures at night without the blur!!! Oh my goodness!! I'm so happy to have gotten shots of my mom's side of the family.

Everyone is so kind, so real, so easy to talk to.

I am blessed to have such supportive and loving family.

 

All the kids were so happy!! Kim did an amazing job and set up a special table full of treats. The kids were fiends!!! We are doing a serious detox tomorrow... but I'm one to talk. I think I had 10 pieces of Kelli's fudge!! Ha!

 

Ella actually was dipping her pizza in cheese sauce.

Bad mothering moment captured.

 

The fam. Missing some loved ones. Know they are close by.

 

The Greeks.

 

1st Generation.

2nd Generation and my children 3 generation

 

Theo Angelo & Aunt Pam's family

 

Thea Popi's Family

 

Uncle George's Family

 

Uncle Jerry's Family

 

It was a lovely night full of good food and company!

Christmas Dinner at Papa's

 

Randomly, when we came to Papa's a basketball game was on and all three of our girls sat there watching it for 20 minutes.

 

We were so glad to spend time with our friends the Weese family, Aunty Tobi, Theo Speedo, Yaya Sofia & of course Papa.

 

The food was excellent!! And of course, Papa spoiled everyone rotten!!! The girls were very excited to get MP3 players, Ella got Frozen goodies, Eli played for 1 hour straight with his remote control car.

 

Not to mention the lefta. Thanks Dad. You're the best.

Always so generous!!!

And he got prunes and dried figs in return.

 

Theo Speedo always has the most unique gifts!!! He got these hats and a sweater for Ella from a lady from Peru. They were totally awesome.

He is such a fun Santa.

 

Yaya Sofia came bearing the gold, stuffed animals, and blankets!!!

 

WE ARE SOOOOOO BLESSED!!!!!

 

But all our gifts truly pale in comparison to the gift of having such wonderful, loving family. So grateful to spend time together, to eat together, to laugh together, to cry together.... to be together.

 

It's such a blessing and I never take it for granted.

 

Missing mom of course. It's never going to be the same without her. I know she is smiling on us in heaven, but man... it hurts so much sometimes. Wanting to hug her. Wanting to hear her voice. Wanting to see her smile or her crazy faces. Wanting to hold hands or rub her back.

 

We keep going and she keeps helping us. So grateful she's with Jesus.

She's in good hands. So grateful baby Joe is there too. That they are partying with the angels.

Selfies & Attempts at Family Pictures

Giant Teddy Bear Time

 

Our Grandmama and Grandpapa were so very thoughtful and got the kids a GIANT teddy bear, and a rather large baby bear too!!

The kids were so very excited and happy. The bears are super soft and cuddly. It was so thoughtful of Joe and Kasi and we are very grateful for their kindness.

 

We had fun taking pictures!!

Christmas Morning

 

It was torture waiting 30 minutes... but 6:30 was a bit early.

Worth the wait!!

Christmas morning is always full of screaming, joy, smiles, thank you's, happiness, running around, shredding, jumping....

it's magical!!

 

This year the girls made a bunch of gifts and they were very very thoughtful.

Eli gave some really precious things of his away too.... peanut the elephant to daddy and a corvette to mommy.

 

Selfie art with Daddy and his quote, "man bun".

 

Oh man, Aunt Pam and Uncle Bob spoil us with shoes!! Jae and Rachael got beautiful outfits for the kids from The Gap.

 

Eli was excited for some cookies from Yaya Sofia.

 

Chaos = fun

 

Pillows and blankets from Grandmama and Grandpapa. So thoughtful. The kids loved them. Pillow fight!!!!!!!!

 

The girls made a scavenger hunt for me that ended with a picture frame they made and got a quote from the internet with.

 

 

Nina!! The mastermind who figured out how to build the houses!!!

 

 

It was a lovely morning. I'm so grateful as I type too that I'm in a really cozy sweatshirt Joe got me and yoga pants. I might just wear them every night to bed. I'm so grateful!! I also got a really cool new water bottle that can have hot water in it too!!! My husband was really thoughtful and I appreciate it more than words can say.

 

I also have to mention that Ram sent me a book called Love Warriors. I read the first 5 chapters and was crying a good portion. I'm excited to finish it.

 

We are so blessed and spoiled. We have so much. And yet, even if we didn't have anything.... we'd have the gospel, each other, and the very best family and friends anyone could ever hope for.

 

We also wore our Team Derek shirts. Christ heals. Our cousin Derek has leukemia and we pray at every single prayer for him and his health. We love them so much and know that Christ can get us through anything. The struggle is real, yet we are in good hands. We are in God's hands and He will never forsake us.