Inside & Outside the hospital -- 2nd week of December

"Hello, King Tut!" We see this guy every morning while waiting to hop on the light rail that takes us to the hospital.

"Good morning, Miss Goldfish". She seems to swim through the air instead of her aquarium in this photo I took on the 17th floor family lounge area at Texas Children's, where we take a few breaks during the day.

"Hello, Christmas!" It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Texas Children's.

And this is where our hearts are this Christmas season. We always feel a special spirit when we enter Dahlia's room in the ICU.

Dahlia is recovering from the big surgery she had last week for the Berlin heart. Her big brother Dario said all he wants for Christmas is for his baby sister to get better.

Big brother Aiden calls Dahlia's Berlin Heart her "little glass heart".

"Good Evening, Jessica". It is a pleasure to see your sweet face at the end of most of our days in the hospital. Thanks for putting us up in your Ronald McDonald house that is so very close to the hospital.

And now, for a peek of our life outside of the hospital --
On Monday, my daughters took me to Nikos to celebrate my big fat Greek birthday with wonderful Greek food.

On Saturday, Sharon and Bill hosted the annual Ellis siblings Christmas party.

Stuart is the "baby" of the bunch, the youngest of Maxine and Art's eight children.

After a delicious dinner (Texas style barbeque), we gathered for our "white elephant" gift exchange.

It's no surprise that no one wanted to steal the "present" Donna and Hank brought -- a stunning collection of nature items Hank had gathered from their yard, complete with a slithery guest.

 Stuart got his secret wish -- a Hillary Clinton mask.

Niece Breeana's rockin' it with her new aviator sunglasses -- perfect for her upcoming trip to New Mexico.

Nephews Matt and Justin will love cuddling with their new Christmas Teddy bears. How cute are they?

Presenting all the Ellis brothers and sisters--minus Billy (in Pennsylvannia) and Beverly (in Utah), and Jerry who has passed on (miss you guys!) . They don't look a day older than last year. (Granny would be proud.)

Thanks Sharon and Bill for such a wonderful evening!