A Very Jerdon Christmas

Now that Grandma and Grandpa live nearby, we've seen more family in the last year than we ever have! This year for Christmas, Jake's brother Tom and his sister Cameo both planned to come to town. Traegen and Brie had already moved to Liberty Lake over the summer and Xander has been attending college down in Pullman. Attiana and Rex also were coming,. Then add in some significant others (Elisa, Stacey, and Lillie) and we were all geared up to have SIXTEEN Jerdons in town for the holidays! Grandma and Grandpa booked a Christmas Eve Coeur d'Alene cruise for everyone and the festivities were on. 

People started trickling in. Elisa, Attiana, Rex and Tom all flew in the Tuesday before Christmas. Cameo, Stacey and their dogs drove up from Martinez to their Air BNB Wednesday. Their plan was to go down to Pullman to see Xander's new place and then see people on Friday. Unfortunately, some COVID concerns arose and we weren't sure how things would come together. Cameo and Stacey were especially concerned. As fate would have it, they had made arrangements to collect Grandma from her hair appointment to take her to lunch, but when Cameo took a home COVID test, it was positive! Oh, no!!! The worse had actually happened. After coming all that way, they had to cancel seeing everyone and quarantine in their house. Since Xander and Lillie had been potentially exposed during their visit, they also had to cancel all plans for Christmas. It was a disaster! I felt just horrible that they were stuck while the rest of us were able to celebrate, but what could we do?! 

We did a porch gift exchange with Stacey and Cameo, and I also gave them some sausage rolls and a cookie plate. On Christmas morning, we FaceTimed to open gifts. When I realized that they didn't have any food, I also took them Christmas lunch. The whole family went out in the snow Christmas night to carol outside their house. It was all we could do to help them feel loved despite the circumstances. They eventually had to turn for home and make the drive back on Monday morning. 

But despite the craziness, we were able to have a memorable Christmas with those who were able. Rex and Riley were happy to be reacquainted and enjoyed some sledding and authentic homemade gingerbread house decorating. We went on the Christmas cruise on Christmas Eve and then came back to the house for pizza and games. Rex was so relieved when Santa read his name on the Nice List. Phew! For Christmas, we had a quiet day at home. Caleb called in the morning, then we had that FaceTime with Cam and Stacey. Grandma, Grandpa and the others dropped by to wish us Merry Christmas. Then on Boxing Day, we attended the Christmas sacrament meeting and had our potluck BINGO white elephant gift exchange at the house. It was a good time. I think the kids made a lot of memories. That made it all worth it.