So we had been planning  for Camille's family to arrive at our house a few days before Christmas and then be able to stay  for a week or so after the new year. 

She called me on the 15th and said they had to change their plans...and they were coming that weekend! 

Sam has been having one ear infection after another, so after his last one, they sent them to a specialist and decided he needed tubes put in his ears.  They wanted to get the surgery done before the end of the year so they wouldn't have to meet the deductible again, so they planned it for Dec. 29th.  That meant they would have to head home right after Christmas.

Anyway, we were thrilled to have them here when ever they could be here! 

There were several projects I had been planning on getting done that last week that I just let go.  I wanted to spend every minute playing with family...not sitting behind the sewing machine. ( I guess that will teach me not to procrastinate!)

Kelley had to be gone for the first part of that week which was really dumb! Gail had asked him if he would help him do a little job in Elko...and Kelley, not knowing Camille would be coming that early, had committed to do it. It was a job building a small building at a gold mine, so this required taking a mine safety class which took three days!   Really bad timing!   Anyway, we sure missed him and were so happy when he got home a little earlier than we had thought he would!  Sure do love that man and appreciate what he does to provide for our family.  I know it was killing him to have to leave just as Camille's family got here.

 Liv and Lizzy were very happy to see each other again.  Maybe Liv a little more than Lizzy. (It was bitter cold that week before Christmas and no snow, so Liv had to take Lizzy for walks in the house.)

 Lizzy mostly liked sitting under Sam's chair waiting for him to drop some food.  When Sam figured out how fun it was to feed Lizzy, that's where most of his food went. They got to be good friends.  Sam wasn't one bit afraid of Lizzy.  She would follow him around, eating up any crumbs he left behind and licking his face occasionally, but it didn't seem to bother Sam. 

 At night though, Lizzy wanted to be right next to Olivia...laying as close as she could to her bed.

Sam is such a little joy!  He is very busy though and really gives Camille a run for her money.  Where Olivia was so calm and sweet, he is like a little tornado. Where Olivia is super tidy and keeps track of the tiniest little parts of all of her toys...Sam is more like a small explosion...sending everything flying in all directions.

He is all boy and just wants to go go go!  He really keeps Camille running and it shows...Camille has lost a lot of weight...I think from nonstop chasing after him!

 Kellen's mom sent a big tub with the twelve days of Christmas for their family.  It was really sweet and thoughtful.  Olivia was so excited every day to open a new present.  Most of them had fun activities for them to do as a family, so that was real nice.

The week went by way too fast!