Christmas Vacation: Family Reunion #1

Ben's family gathered in Orlando for a reunion over Christmas weekend and we LOVED it!  Ben and I didn't have many options as far as when we could get together with his family and it was a wonderful miracle that it worked out to meet up during those days.  Ben's parents were already going to be in Orlando that weekend because they'd be working in the temple on Friday and Saturday, and the other families hadn't committed to spend Christmas with anyone else, so we met up in sunny Central Florida and made some new memories.

Here are all of the cousins in attendance except for the littlest who needed a little time
to get used to all of the new kids being around.  These guys had a great time together!
Cat, Cassy, and one hired babysitter took care of the younger kids so the adults
could go to the temple together.

While the adults were at the temple, the kids completed some cute Christmas crafts.

Ben's dad was called as a sealer in the Orlando LDS Temple earlier this year so we made
sure to get to the temple to do a sealing session with him.  Ben's mom was able to
take a break from the sealing office to join us as well.  It was a beautiful experience.

Lunch at Firehouse

Back at the homestead, the kids loved being outside, just playing and exploring.

It wasn't just the kids who enjoyed being outside, though.

Cat played a lot of basketball with Uncle John. 

And Jack even won a Dollar from Uncle John when he made a tough shot.

I couldn't get over that sunset.

Once it got dark, some of us played some card games.

Others did some stargazing.

And little boys invented their own Pokemon game.

Eliza and Luke took some time to snuggle before getting into their own
beds for the night.  Everyone was plenty tired to go right to sleep.

On Christmas Eve we attended Church together and
wrangled Luke into joining us for a family picture.

After church we had a little photo session at the temple.  It was wonderful to have some time at the temple
Saturday and Sunday, especially since it is where Ben and I were sealed for time and all eternity
almost 15 years go.  We haven't been there in several years but it's just as beautiful as I remember it.

Then it was lunch at Chipotle.  Feliz Navidad!

Once everyone had changed and we got back to the house,
we had more time outside, and Eliza helped tame some Florida wildlife.

Luke appreciated the opportunity to get a little dirty.

Jack was pretty excited about the evening's main event...

But Santa showing up with actual Disney light sabers for the kids was a hit also.

The kids LOVED them.

I ♥️ S'mores

The kids were excited to explore the woods in the dark.
But they hurried back to the house when Uncle John, who had stealthily
gone ahead of them, scared them with his bear noises.

The last activity was a small gift exchange, which we all loved.

And then everyone left to try to help their kids (and themselves) get some sleep on Christmas Eve.

It was a great 2-day reunion and I'm still so grateful that we were able to have that time together!

UPDATE: Here's what the kids had to say about it on 1/21/18: