Christmas Part One

We had quite the Christmas extravaganza this year on our travels North. We spent a night in Dallas with friends, 2 nights in Rockford, 3 nights in Milwaukee, back to Rockford for 3 nights, on to Milwaukee for 3 more nights, back to Rockford for another night, and on to Peoria for one last evening spent with friends before the long drive back to Texas. Our extravaganza allowed us to see Evalina, Charlie and the kiddos as well as meet my brother's girlfriend, Helen, who flew in from Africa after Christmas. I did say to Rodney on one leg of our drive up from Dallas to Rockford, "Let's just return all of the gifts and wrap ourselves up for Christmas." Needless to say, we did not return the gifts. And we have no holiday regrets.

I took a TON of pictures; regrettably, very few were family shots. I blame Hannah and mommy brain. Maybe next year I will be less scatterbrained :)

Below are pictures spent with my family.

Grandma supervising the big helper puting together a large recipe of Chex Mix!

We all loved having Uncle Dan home from his adventures overseas. Having him home was truly a gift.

My in-laws joined us to celebrate Christmas and enjoy our evening meal. I am SO blessed to have two wonderful moms.

Uncle Dave "hiding"...but all in all he was a good sport...so good to be with both my brothers...

Camus and his little friend :)

simple joys...who needs presents anyways???

Abigail "helping" wrap presents

Camus - eyeing Hannah's lovey

Uncle Dave Cooperates...Abigail does not...Such is Life :)
Love you, Dad! Your Granddaughter loves her Papa!

some of my favorites

My sweet husband bought me a camera for Christmas, and I have over 400 pictures to sort through to catch up on my blogging!

Here are some of my favorites.

first solids

... and she's still not a fan. I guess my daughter is stubborn in almost all areas of life :)

She is still sleeping like a newborn (up every 2-3 hrs at night), but at least now I don't have to nurse/rock her to sleep every night. Thank you sleep training!

cousins

Thanksgiving

After Rodney returned from China, we made a last minute decision to spend Thanksgiving in Nashville with the Harms and Day families. The 13 hour drive, only took us 14 hours, which is saying a lot since Hannah and Abigail both required several stops in the middle of the night. The time spent with family was well worth the loss of sleep! And I only said, "I don't want to drive North for Christmas!" a handful of times. :)

The girls really enjoyed playing with eachother, and Abigail is still asking to go see her cousin. I particularly enjoyed watching the girls play in the sandbox. Ellie was covered in sand, while Abigail was outside of the sandbox carefully using a spoon to dump sand into a container. But they were happy just to be with eachother. I pray that the girls will become better friends with each year.

Evalina and Charlie took Rodney and I out for an early Christmas present/date. My in-laws graciously watched the girls while we enjoyed a delicious meal. It was lovely to enjoy good food and conversation while not having to keep one or both of my two girls quiet and happy!

I am now even more thankful for such a wonderful family.

Hannah is 5 months!

and is...

• enjoying playing with toys


• taking better naps in the afternoon


• still enjoying the sling and the Ergo


• following her sister around with her eyes. It's only a matter of time before she's truly following her sister. Abigail has a gift for keeping her sister happy!


• not close to sleeping through the night :(


• likes playing in the Jumperoo


• and is still very vocal :)

Superbaby!