"House guests are like fish...

...after three days, they stink."

Those were my mother-in-law's parting words to me as we dropped her off at the John Wayne airport earlier today. And while Dustin and I are excited to have a little more space in our little one-bedroom, it was nice having her and other family visiting this past week.

While I'd like to think it was my fabulous cooking and inspiring sense of interior design that attracted them all, I have to be honest with myself and admit they didn't come to see me or Dustin at all. Little Jason was the star of the show. With good reason too, since it was his baby blessing they all came to see at church on Sunday.

Here are some pictures highlighting this last week of holidays and family. Closed captions have been provided for all those who weren't there and can't read my mind.

* * * * *

Christmas Eve, we went out for Mexican food (Owens family tradition) with the Clarkes and were thrilled that Grandma and Grandpa Owens (now Great Grandma and Grandpa) were able to be in town and meet little Jason. Don't you love his little snow suit!

We decided to start a new Hemsath family tradition of making breakfast from scratch on Christmas morning. We attempted cinnamon rolls together, and even with the brown sugar and butter avalanche, (we need to learn how to roll them better so the filling stays in!) they were still enjoyable to make as well as to eat.

Christmas afternoon, we joined our friends the Sepulvedas for dinner. The highlight of the evening was getting little Jason and Jonathon (only 13 days apart) together for the first time. Looks like the start of a beautiful friendship!

On December 28th, little Jason Karl Hemsath was blessed in church, looking like a little temple president in his all white suit that Grandma Lynette and myself were busy hemming up the night before and morning of. Below, Daddy Dustin, Aunt Katie and Uncle Chris, Aunt Jennie and Grandpa Karl all snuggle with the little man.

Monday December 29th was Jason's first trip to the beach. He watched waves crash, enjoyed a bottle of mommy's finest, was adored by Grandma Lynette and Grandma Liz, and absolutely destroyed his brand new outfit. It was quite the trip.