It was wonderful to see everyone and how much everyone had grown and changed since July - especially Nick! He's quite the little boy now - talking up a storm!
We met Lucas and Tony, Cathi and Don's foreign exchange students from Brazil and Vietnam, respectively. All of the adults went out to dinner on Friday night, including Dylan's girlfriend, Haley, and Sean's girlfriend, Bailey! A table for 10!!
We spent a lot of time visiting and playing with the kids. Cathi had gotten a 1500 piece jigsaw puzzle, and many afternoons and evenings were spent trying to put it together. It was probably 80% done by the time we left, and I'm sure that Cathi finished it.
Dylan, Lee and Don spent a bit of time playing "Words with Friends", on their various computers, usually in the same room. Pretty funny!
Speaking of computers, Nick is quite a whiz on Don's i-pad - he enjoys playing games and sure knows how to get around the device - amazing! The girls like to play on it, too, and Don actually gets to use it very little.
The Christmas tree selling season was winding down, and in addition to selling trees out of the yard, Don and Lee made some deliveries into Vancouver with trees. Grandpa also was a great "elf", assembling Christmas gifts out in Don's office.
Lee and I gave Patience and Jordyn gift cards for the American Girl's store that recently opened in the Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood, WA. We let them open them up early, and then on our last day with the Murphy's, Cathi, Patience, Jordyn, Lee and I visited the American Girl store. The girls got to spend their gift cards and we had afternoon tea - quite a wonderful experience!
Sean and Bailey rode with us, as the AG store is in a huge mall, so they spent the day shopping and lunching. It was a great trip for everyone, and I see many more visits to the AG store for Christmas and birthdays.
Thanks, all
Nick, concentrating on a game on the i-pad. Sean is ready of offer assistance if needed.
Sean and Bailey
Jordyn is a star!
And so is Patience!
Jordyn, all dressed up for a holiday party at her friend Megan's.
Patience and Jordyn, ready to open their American Girl gift cards. After they opened them, we let them know that we would be going shopping on the next day. They were very excited! Cathi did rag curls in their hair that night, and they were all dressed up and adorable for our trip down to Lynnwood.
Patience and her AG doll, Kit, in front of the Kit display. Patience had been wanting Kit's scooter that is in the window, and she was able to get it with her gift card.
Jordyn had been playing with Hailey's AG doll, Felicity, as she didn't have a doll of her own. She had been wanting Josefina, so we got that for her as an early birthday gift (February), and she was able to spend her gift card on things for Josefina.
One of the many services that the AG store offers is their "beauty parlor" - we brought Felicity in for a make-over before we returned her to Hailey. Perhaps one day Hailey will pass her on to her daughter.
Grandma, Patience, Grandpa and Jordyn outside of the American Girl store, with lots of red bags! You can see that the girls had a wonderful time in there by their big smiles!
Patience and Kit, Jordyn and Josefina
What a goldmine this store is!! Sure wish that I had thought of it!!
Our afternoon tea! As you can see, there were chairs for the dolls, too! We had to wait, as they were backed up, but they made up for it by giving the girls goodie bags, books and other extras!
Jordyn and Josefina
Patience and Kit. Both of the dolls got balloons to hold.
Then, at the end of the day, Cathi took us to Val and Dave's, and we finished our Christmas trip there. Thanks, Murphy's, for such a fun and wonderful time!
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