From the first night at Fogo de Chao, being overwhelmed with fresh meat on skewers at every turn, through the B Christmas Pageant, a Chiefs win over Green Bay surrounded by my family, dinner with the Jeff & Tim families, a playdate with Tom & Abby, a turn as Rudolph at Cousin Michelle's Preschool, lunch with Ellie, Mallory & Alexis at Daddy's grade school, trains and helicopters at Union Station, candy at Nanie's, lunch in Liberty with Rebekah, an actual date night for Mom & Dad, and pancakes with Uncle Jim, Aunt Jan & Uncle Sam, we celebrated with hugs and laughter and more joy than we could handle -- and that just took us to Christmas Eve Morning.
The week culminated with Christmas Eve at Great Grandpa B's and Christmas Day at BaBa and Papa's surrounded by family, food and love. Finally, we wound down Monday at Papa's "toy barn" driving every imaginable vehicle surrounded by our aunts, uncles, cousins and BaBa and PaPa.
It was a wonderful trip and such a blessing to celebrate Jesus' birthday with family and friends. Charlie wasn't the only one sorry to leave, but I think we're all enjoying the chance to sleep in our own beds and cuddle with our dear puppies...and almost a full year later, I can say that Louie has officially served his purpose. Last year upon our return from Kansas City, Otis was distraught, angry and apparently quite nauseated...this time he's just a little moody. I doubt he'd admit it, but somewhere deep down inside even he appreciates Louie.
"Leavin'...on a jet plane..."
Prodigies perhaps?
They only look sweet and innocent...
Rudolph's Understudies
Lunch with Ellie
Lunch with Mal-Mal
Comparing Sperries with Alexis' friends
Lunch with Alexis
Oops...confused the paint with the candy!
Flying with Grampie
Merry Christmas, Nanie & Grampie!
Thrilled with Great Aunt Jan's surprise gum drops!
Chillin' with Great Uncle Jim
Ready to behave for church
Merry Christmas!
What the cousins are REALLY like!
Loving Great Grandpa B
Fun with Great Uncle Brian
Wake up, Baba & PaPa! It's Christmas!
Only gift he actually asked for...
Here fishy, fishy, fishy...
Snap into a Slim Jim!
The Fury!
Bravest Passengers in the World!
Now Daddy's in on the act...
Everyone's in on the fun!
Finally off the woods for some "manly" business
before heading to the airport
Our Welcoming Committee!
