Christmas Season 2019 (Bucket List Family Surprise)

We had an unusual holiday season, celebrating the season in a bit of a haze cast from Finn's diagnoses.

But we set up the Christmas tree 

 We lit candles and read about Christ's birth, sang carols and were barely able to contain our excitement over whose turn it was to blow out the smallest candle (which always had the biggest flame).  

We had melting hot chocolate snowmen and hoped for snow.

We delivered cookies to our friends 

We tackled a month long list of activities to bring us closer together and help us giggle.  It was such a blessing to have already set this up for our family and helped us stay present and focused on each other during a time where becoming overwhelmed and wanting to withdraw had a strong pull. 

And then, we opened our Christmas Eve matchy match jammies. 

  

And Christmas morning was beautiful.  We spent a long morning enjoying each other, having breakfast and playing with our new toys. And after a few hours we went over to Damon's parent's home to celebrate Christmas with them.  

Little did we know that Walker Family Good's owners Lex and Lauren were literally on their way to our house as we left.  They were coming to surprise us with a trip to Hawaii, compliments of The Bucket List Family. 

  

While obliviously driving over to the in-laws house I got a text from our friend/neighbor asking where Damon's parents lived.  She said she had friends moving into the area from Oregon and felt sure that they were in the same ward as my in-laws, but wanted an address to double check. I thought it was a bit specific, but didn't give it much more thought after answering.  Turns out Walker Family had gone door to door trying to find out where we had gone and they commissioned our friend to send that sneaky text.

Shortly after arriving to Damon's family's home there was a knock at the door, and an older gentlemen was asking for Damon & Katelyn. We stepped outside a bit confused which quickly turned into shock as Lex stepped out from behind the garage with a giant surf board that read 'You are going to Hawaii'.  

It was so fun to have Damon's family all there, screaming and crying and cheering for us.   We are still so shocked, excited and humbled by this opportunity and the generosity of the Gee family.  

It was an unforgettable Christmas which has effectively propelled us into and unforgettable new year.  We have been so blessed and grateful for all of the changes big that this new year has already brought for our family. 

Merry late Christmas