We were at my in-laws from Wednesday until this morning. We had a nice balance of celebrating Christmas and lounging around. I shared daily posts and pictures on facebook, so I am going to organize the pictures the same way here! Settle in - this could be a long post!
Day 1 - Wednesday: after our 4+ hour drive, we stopped in to see Great-Grandma Smith, got to read a book that has been on my kindle since early fall for sure, went outside to admire Grandma's Christmas lights, and Ava played blocks with Grandpa. The video is seriously the best!
Day 2 - Christmas Eve: Ava woke up earlier than I expected after being up late two nights in a row. She then fell asleep again on the couch, and woke up with a fever! After complaining of a sore throat the night before, we opted to take her in. So, instead of fitting in an actual run, we ran around to the clinic and pharmacy after learning she had strep throat! She spent much of the day eating popsicles and laying around, but when the Tylenol kicked in, she was in good spirits! Chad and I did go to church with his mom, while Ava stayed home with Papa. The antibiotics also seemed to help quick, and she was able to open presents and visit with her godfather!
starting in on the popsicles
I did squeeze in a visit with my friend Danielle, who gave birth on Wednesday to this precious thing!
a crappy picture of the moon!
Silent Night and candle light. Perfection.
Ava with her Godfather, Mason, and his family. We love the Stenders!
starting in on Grandma and Grandpa's presents!
Ava with grandma and grandpa Smith
recreating a picture we took in 2011 - the last time we were at their house for Christmas Eve. We try to go to my parents every other year for Christmas Eve so I can see my extended family, and then in 2013, Donna and Jerry had been by us.
what a difference!
she got to stay up and start her lego set.
last thing to do was set out cookies, a cupcake, and milk for Santa!
Day 3 - Christmas Day: woke up early (even though she was up late again!) wanting to see if Santa had eaten her cookies and milk. He did! He left a note saying most of her presents were back in Austin, but he left a few small ones. She made sure to point out these were not things on her list! I did fit in a Christmas run, though my time and pace weren't great. It could have just been the hills or maybe I'm not in the running shape I think I am. Ava spent most of her day playing some new games and putting together her lego set! It was a fun one! Overall, a laid back day! We did have our Christmas dinner and Ava made dessert!
showing off her note from Santa
Christmas bath - she says, "ho ho ho"
progress! This was a 700+ piece set with three instruction books to get through!
gravel road running.
meh. It felt better than the stats showed.
Love my mother-in-laws festive spirit.
Done!
Lego Friends - Emma's house
I'll spare you the details of the inside! I actually took photos though because it amazes me!
one day! She was proud!
self-timer picture! Ready to eat.
Easy Base Oven dessert! Tasted great!
Day 4 - Saturday: We were supposed to go home on Saturday; however, opted to stay another day. Much of the state was under a Winter Weather Advisory. While it wasn't a lot of snow, it was enough to mess with the roads. It was also the timing of the snow. It would have been different it had snowed overnight and the roads were clear. But it snowed throughout the morning, and it just wasn't worth it. So, we did a lot of playing outside (check out the videos!), drinking hot chocolate, and playing one of her new games!
Bundled and ready!
snow angles!
fascinated with seeing her breath!
excited to take the 4-wheeler to get the mail with papa!
looking slick!
how we look after shoveling and using the snow blower!
we also looked at old pictures!
sledding! Behind the 4-wheeler! :)
loved it!
"Snow" much fun!
These three!
much faster than regular monopoly!
(I should've taken a video a little bit later, when papa and daddy were willing to drive faster and Ava was getting a little gutsy, too!)
Sunday - Finally home: We drove home this morning and had a little girl who was excited about getting to open up her presents from mom, dad, and of course Santa! This year was a little bit different; she opened way more than normal - but we also opted not to do any big ticket items, plus threw in some cheaper things. Books, colored pencils, clothes, some doll clothes, a sand/snow castle builder, puzzles, some things to go with her kitchen set, a lego set were from Santa. From Chad and I, she got a scooter, a nerf crossbow, Barbie car, the game Mousetrap, and ice skates! I think the ice skates were what she was most surprised with, and she gave me a big hug when she opened them. Her reaction totally brought tears to my eyes!
I also got a pair, but she is just excited about the possibility of skating with her friend Lily!
she actually opened our gifts first, but these are out of order. These are her gifts from Santa - who out did himself this year!
I love this picture! Posing next to the gifts from mom and dad.
the excitement she showed this year with almost every gift was precious!
missed the smile, but I think she's happy with how she made out!
With that, I will enjoy a couple of days at home - paperwork, cleaning, laundry, and a quick visit with a good friend are in the works. On Wednesday, we are Wisconsin bound for Christmas- phase 2!
No comments:
Post a Comment