Christmas!

So, it's about time I updated this! The rest of our time in Minnesota went WAY too quickly. We mostly just relaxed at Margo and Justin's house and tried to get over colds/flu/ear infections- all of us had something at one point or another! We enjoyed watching our favorite Christmas movies, although it was a bit more challenging with a baby and a toddler, and it took us about 4 nights to finish one movie!

Paul arrived on December 19, and the next day we took the girls to see Santa!



Neither one of them really had any clue what was going on, but at least they weren't crying!

On Friday the 21st, the Shedivys left for Wisconsin for Justin's family Christmas, and mom took care of Gemma so that Paul and I could do some shopping. We hit the outlet mall in Albertville to get Paul's wardrobe for the year and ran a lot of other places to finish Christmas shopping, etc. It is so much cheaper for us to buy stuff in the States, even if it means paying an overweight luggage charge!

On Saturday the 22nd, Paul, Gemma, and I drove out to Belgrade to my dad's family Christmas. Gemma got to meet all the Andersons! Unfortunately those photos are on my camera, and I haven't had time to transfer them yet.

Christmas Eve afternoon we went to church at mom's church. Here are the girls in their dresses. Gemma was lucky to borrow one of Freya's dresses!



After church, dad arrived, and we took more photos, opened presents, and snacked on yummy finger foods and goodies. Again, a lot of the photos are still on my camera!




The Sammin family



Gemma and Grandma Brenda



Freya and Auntie



Me and my sister!

The girls had matching pyjamas for Christmas Eve night, and we had quite the time trying to get good pictures by the time this time of the evening rolled around.






Freya takes Gemma's new doll



Gemma says, "That's mine!"



Freya shows Gemma who's boss!



Freya makes a break for it!

On Christmas Day we loaded up the van and headed out to my aunt and uncle's house, near Hector, for my mom's family Christmas. Unfortunately Gemma didn't get much of a morning nap, and she was overtired by the time we got there. She got overstimulated by all the activity too, so she wasn't a very happy girl that day! Grandma Brenda and Daddy looked after her most of the day so that I could spend time with family, and I was very appreciative of that! On the way back to Margo and Justin's, we had duelling babies in the van! Luckily Gemma slept pretty well that night after she eventually calmed down.

On the 26th, Paul, Gemma, and I flew back to Ireland. Leaving MN isn't getting any easier, but I am so thankful for the 5 1/2 weeks we had there! Thank you to Margo, Justin, and Freya for letting us take over your guest room for that long! Thank you too to all the family and friends that travelled to see us and meet Gemma. And, thanks to Grandma Brenda for taking care of Gemma. Gemma and I hope to be back in the spring before I go back to work. See you then!

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