Call Us Crazy: Christmas in Oregon 2015: Blessed Reunions

So begins the big task of documenting our two-week Christmas vacation in Oregon...

Considering what it costs to fly four people on a plane, mixed with the combination of luggage, packages and the wonderful minivan we have, we made the decision to drive up for our holiday. We prayed and crossed our fingers, as we ventured north to the border and recent weather patterns had been vicious over the passes. We planned our driving times as well as we could, watching the roads and weather very carefully, and we got over the mountains without a single hitch -- both ways! With my husband's amazing driving skills, and a few hours of me behind the wheel, we made it in 16.5 hours...not sure how, but we did!

Our time in Oregon was precious, as usual, spending time with lots of family and a few dear friends. We never seem to fit it all in, but we get pretty darn close! I had only a few things on my bucket list for our trip, and I think we did a great job of keeping our priorities in check.

One of the most important things for me, was to visit with my Grandma Erna as well as my Grammy & Pop-Pop. Early on in our visit, we had a special gathering with some extended family on my mom's side, which was filled with wonderful reunions with Grandma, as well as cousins and my aunt and uncle.

With my beloved Grandma Erna (a month shy of being 88 in this picture).

Grandma Kris with baby Joy (7 months)!

Grandpa Pat, with the littlest one - I just love this!

One thing about my parents (well, really, my mom), is she has saved all of our old dance costumes from when we were kids. The boys weren't about to miss out on all the fun of dressing up...unprompted, they were sure to pose for the picture while showing me their muscles and fierce faces!

Maddie and Ellie; 9 months apart in age, living entirely in different states, and still the best of friends -- just like their mamas!

Ben-sandwich! (age 4)

Sarah and Joy

Daughter and Mother love. Nothing like it.

We had a little recital, before heading over to my aunt's house for dinner. Ellie and Ben are currently taking piano lessons and performed some songs for us. In true Maddie-form, she joined right in, even though she's never played before! I was even given the opportunity to play some Christmas carols on the piano, while my Grandma sang along. I couldn't have imagined anything sweeter or any greater gift I could have received, than to be playing beautiful music with her vocal accompaniment. I will cherish that memory forever.

Two performers, showcasing some music and Grandma Kris' high school prom dresses!

Polite and patient audience.

Tutu and all, Ben played beautifully!

A great depiction of each individual personality represented! ;) Maddie (6.5), Ellie (7), Ben (4) and Geoffrey (4), along with my cousins, Lilly and Nick. The kids all scored a super cool Nerf-gun from Nick before we left that night. The parents were all thrilled!!

Ready to dig in!

My sweet husband with my sweet Grandma. They've both been through a lot of each other's lives over the past 15 years.

Grandma, with a few of her grandchildren, and one great-grand!

Anyone who is officially in the Rockey family bloodline...which means all of the husbands who were present didn't make the photo!

Brant, my sister, my dad, and my Aunt Marcia, indulging me with a selfie.

We were also blessed to spend some time with Grammy and Pop-pop (my dad's parents) a few days later, enjoying some time at their home as well as a special meal together. I treasure all of these memories so very much!!

So great to fit in one car together!

Maddie and Geoffrey, checking out Grammy's super awesome new chair! It was almost as thrilling as a ride at Disneyland!

We really were all so happy to get to spend time together!

Maddie, singing a few songs in Dutch, for her Dutch great-grandfather (and grandmother, although not Dutch). She knocked their socks off! ;)

There is something very sweet, watching your grandfather interact and play with your child, with striking similarities to how you remember it happening in your own childhood.

How excited are we, for lunch in the dining hall at the retirement home?!

Pop-pop reserved the private room for our "Christmas Dinner" together. Although the food was not anything to write home about, the company, conversation and memories were absolutely worth it!