Christmas Eve.

T'was a few days before Christmas when I was out with winter Kona. We had to pick up a few groceries and meet Chrissy for lunch.

There were presents I had to exchange with aforementioned lady friend.

Chrissy and I have been best friends for 26 years:) And not just the "for old times sake" kind of friends, we're talking the real deal!

In lieu of all the turkey and such we knew lay in our futures, we had some bento box lunch.

Later on, Dexter got to open up some early Christmas presents from Grandma & Grandpa Iveson.

Presents make the little guy pretty happy.

OMG - a new passenger train!

And lots of new tracks too, with fun switches and stuff.

These days we have been packed with cleaning, home-improvement projects (we always seem to be scrambling with this stuff before entertaining - mostly because we never have time when we're in full swing with work), hosting, and Dextering.

Yes, I sometimes use Dexter's name as a verb.

Usually I am 100% into holiday mode, but I think my pregnancy induced lack of immune system is definitely casting a shadow on things. I can't have a prolonged conversation without my sinuses filling up with fluids, and I can't get any of my house chores done without the accompaniment of a dull throbbing in my head. Not being accustomed to being sick, this most certainly cramps my style.

I am hopeful that a few more good sleeps will remedy this situation!

It's been amazing to spend some time together as a family, even if I'm sick and we're super busy. Don, Dexter, and I are actually eating meals together! It's pretty rare and I am not taking it for granted.

So I hope you guys have some family time and relaxation time in store for today and tomorrow. T'is definitely the season to take it easy, and I'll try my best to take my own advice:)

Happy Holidays!