What a truly blessed holiday. Yet again Gabriel was a trooper on our travels to and from NC. Still some fussing at the end of each trip but who can blame him? We all want to fuss after 11 hours in the car! We had a really wonderful time with Grandma & Grandpa Marvin and Great Uncle Mark & Great Aunt Sandy (GUM & GAS) and their new puppy Cierra. Mom, dad, Gabriel, & Rosie all got to go Christmas caroling around the Marvin's neighborhood - excellent tradition! And Gabriel went with mom, Grandma Marvin, & GAS for manicures & pedicures. It's a good thing mom was getting a pedicure since he started fussing and needed to be held. But he was super cute on my lap and made everyone else getting pedicures smile. Then he helped finish wrapping gifts. He knew what everyone was getting!

Christmas Eve service at St. Francis was incredibly special. It's awfully powerful to hear the Christmas story, the birth of a baby boy, while snuggling your own infant boy. And even though church ran past Gabriel's usual bedtime he continued to be a trooper! Laying on grandma's lap, head on grandpa's lap, and feet on Uncle Michael - what a life.

Christmas morning at the Marvin's was relaxed and very fun. Gabriel did a great job opening his gifts and then drifting off for a nap while the rest of us opened ours. After lunch the Fulchers all had a great time together at Hope's. So much fun with all the cousins! Gracie is an especially good snuggler. 

And finally the annual afternoon of ice skating! Chris, Hope, and gramps watched Gabriel and Landon at Michelle's house while all the rest of us went skating. Then more fun with the cousins!

All in all it was a fantastic week of family and celebrating the birth of our Savior. We can't wait to continue celebrating holidays as this new little family! Gabriel definitely makes celebrating anything much, much better. :-)