Bailey's Christmas

We had a good holiday season, but I must admit I'm glad it's over. This was a tough year to say the least and the New Year brings hope of peace and healing. We spent Christmas in California in the Bay area with Steph's family (I haven't downloaded the pics yet) and then came home for a late Christmas with my family.

Connor's absence left a huge hole in our hearts, but reminds us how precious each of our children are. The Christmas hugs were tighter and we all held on to each other a little longer this year. We know many of you were thinking of our family and praying for us over the holidays. Thank you.

Just about the time we started to open gifts, Emily found her pacifier and diapers and was ready for bed.

However, with a little candy from her cousin Reagan and her new Dora the Explorer backpack, she perked right up! She loves that backpack! She wants to sleep with the backpack.

Among Rainey's favorite gifts was this book that her Aunt Laurie found for her. It's The Christmas Lizard. Rainey was in a musical based on this book earlier in December. It is out of print, but Aunt Laurie (world class shopper) found it online and had it shipped from Belgium!

Hutton found time to relax and watch the little ones pass out gifts. Seems like only yesterday he was the little one!

Even Papa scored big! Here he is in his chair, loaded down with gifts.

Three generations of beautiful women. That's my sister Lee Ann in the middle with her daughter Bailey on the left and my mom Rose on the right. Just seeing those three smile is a wonderful gift.

It's a Bailey family tradition that all the cousins gather around this rocking chair for a picture. Moving clockwise from the upper left, that's Hutton, Jordan, Emily, Caitlin, Rainey, Reagan and Bailey.

They keep getting bigger, but the group is smaller by one. It's still difficult to believe and impossible to explain how much we miss Connor. Our hearts ache, our stomach's hurt and our tears sneak up on us.

Here's to a brighter and peaceful 2008.