Christmas Visit to Pearl River

December 23, 2019

We made the drive to Pearl River on Monday, two days before Christmas. When we reached the house, we found the girls busy making fancy decorated Christmas cookies.

Jordan, Ashleigh, Elyse and Elyse's friend Lily were gathered around the table, so Brenda enjoyed greeting them there.

Decorating Christmas cookies has been one of their holiday activities since they were very small. They have become really expert at it. Ashleigh made one like a rugby player, because, believe it or not, she is playing rugby on a team at Tulane! Elyse and Lily are close friends and have worked together as guides for a tour of their middle school to being on the same soccer team in their freshman year at Pebblebrook High.

It was such a pleasure to arrive after the long drive and just join in with them in a relaxed family activity.

Tuesday, December 24

We had talked with Mark about joining us this Christmas in Pearl River, and it happened that he was between movies. He started out early on Tuesday morning and we got him checked in at the Microtel and over at Jeff and Darla's house at about 12:30.

Of course we had not mentioned that Mark was coming so that it would be a Christmas surprise for the girls. Jordan was the only one home when he arrived, so she got to greet him first.

Next to arrive home was Elyse at about 1:40, and she was excited to see Uncle Mark.

We had a happy family celebration on Christmas Eve with Mark's arrival.

Finally Ashleigh showed up about 1:45 after a run and Uncle Mark got to greet her in the front yard.

Jeff gathered with us in the house at about 4pm and we discussed plans for visiting family at Judy Moyle's on Christmas Eve.

On a busy Christmas Eve, Judy Moyle and Darla went to her traditional Christmas Eve service at Peace Lutheran Church while the girls helped get Judy's house ready for refreshments later in the evening. Jeff went to Slidell for prayer with the Slidell Police Force of which he is chaplain. We get he and Mark together by Judy's Christmas tree for a photo. There was some comment about this being what Jeff wore to the "ugly sweater party" at the police department.

We got Mom in there for a photo with Mark and Jeff by the Christmas tree.

We enjoyed the evening meal and lots of desserts and visiting, but didn't stay late because there were lots of agendas to get ready for Christmas morning.