So, before we get to Christmas 2011 I better get going on the blog again! We spent a wonderful 2 weeks in Indiana this year. It was the first Christmas with family in about 3-4 years. It was actually quite relaxing even though we saw a lot of people and drove quite a bit. We were also lucky enough to get a White Christmas and the girls played in the snow and did some sledding.
Our first weekend back we did Christmas with the Wright family, like all 70 of them. There are so many and it has been so long that there were spouses and kids that we hadn't even met before. We ate some good food and hung out with all the cousins inside and out.
The next week had to change a bit due to a 24hr stomach virus that hit pretty much everyone in Indiana while we were there. Luckily it was literally 24hr or less and once you got it you were immune for the rest of the trip. We spent some time with Brooke, Micheal, Max and AJ. The cousins love playing with each other, it mostly involves a lot of running and screaming!
Later in the week I spent a relaxing day with Sara and the new babies. Twins keep you on your toes but when they are that cute, it's worth it! In fact I got to spend 3 days of the 14 with Sara and it was much needed time to reconnect. It was really fun the day that Cass and Chelle also came over with their kids and we had a very large play-date. It makes me feel old to be with all these wonderful women I've known nearly 20 years while our kids play together.
Avery and Tatum were very funny with each other and definitely had a love-hate relationship. Of course they only wanted to play with whatever toy the other was playing with. Tatum was also very worried Avery would take her toys. Apparently she saw something in Avery we didn't because Avery actually did "steal" one of her favorite stuffed animals. It came all the way back to CA with us before we returned it.
Christmas was a low-key, peaceful day. We split it between Roger and Terri's house and my parent's. Avery and Isabel got to ride the pony around a bit in the snow. They can't wait to go back in better weather and really get to ride him.
We tried to go to church with my parents but of course Avery got the stomach flu as she stepped out of the car, all over the church parking lot. Better the street than the car I say!
That next Tues another one of my oldest friends came over with her family. Amy and I grew up across the street from each other and we'll always have a special connection. Her kids are adorable and Avery had so much fun playing with them, especially Ethan. In fact she later told us that night she was going to marry him. OK by Amy and I, it would certainly make family holidays fun! In fact as they were getting ready to leave Ethan and Avery were sitting in the hallway and we heard Avery say "Will you remember me?" Ethan replied "I"ll never forget you". Then he asked for a picture of her for his room.
How cute!
We ended the trip with Ryan's birthday! He's the big 34! My parent's and his met at Fogo du Chao which is basically a big meat house. We then went back to his mom's and got a cake. No dinner since we were still full from lunch!
I didn't get pictures of everything. I'm sad I missed some when we were with David, Carrie and Drew but at least we still have the memories!
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| Grandpa Bob and Grandma Phyllis with all the great-grandkids |
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| Isabel's Snow Angel |
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| She liked eating the snow |
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| Sledding wore her out! |
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| Grandma and Avery |
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| Grandma and Isabel |
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| Grandma and both her girls |
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| Sweet twins Tyson and Reese |
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| Great Granddad |
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Vet Avery
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| Cookies with Aunt Katie | | | |
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| Sisters who love each other! |
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| Going to see the horses! |
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| Petting QT |
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| They both did pretty well on him. Next time they can ride alone with a saddle |
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| Kissing the new horse Chilli |
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| Tatum and Avery "not-so" best friends! ha ha |
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| Tatum, twins, Isaac and Avery |
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| Avery and her "future husband" Ethan |
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| Avery, Ethan and Abby |
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| Lunch for Ryan's birthday, before all the meat |
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| Football cake for Daddy! |
