We headed down to Katy, Texas. Michael and his family, Laura Jean, and us took Clarissa's parents 15 passenger van. Got that, 30 hours, 4 car seats, 2 small kids, 2 babies, 2 pregnant women (1st trimester), 4 "normal" adults, and baggage, presents, food, and drinks for all. Wow! We are nuts! It didn't start out too good. We had to turn back after 10 minutes because we forgot the DVD player, and that was necessary! Then within the first hour or so two people had thrown up. Thank goodness we didn't forget the trash bags. But after that it went rather well. I was surprised with the kids. They did fantastic!
But it was all worth it when the van stopped and hugs and kisses were shared all around. My parents moved to Texas fall of 2009 and I'm the only one who had seen them since. That was in March. It had been too long. We spent the week enjoying each other. Games, zoo, aquarium, movies, talking, laughing. It was wonderful!
Christmas was great too. Patrick got monster trucks, Auretta got a beautiful princess fairy dress, and David got an apple. It was in the bottom of his stocking and he was so happy he walked around with a piece in each hand saying,"apple, apple, apple." What else do you need? I enjoyed watching all the people I love get excited and their different reactions. That's my favorite part. But I have to give the crown to reaction to Laura Jean. I think I could give her a present everyday because it is just awesome to watch her. Thanks Laura for the show!
(The baby is kicking me right now and it is still new enough to be really exciting! Back to your program.)
New Years is one of my favorite holidays. Games, junk food, firecrackers, family, perfect combination! I got to participate in a fun new tradition too. At midnight we jumped in the swimming pool, not so much a polar bear dive, more like a black bear dive, but still cold. I didn't want to do it, but Janeia is just too cute to turn down. It turned out to be a ton of fun. Chad was pretending he wasn't going to but did last minute. I think he got some big bonus points from the in-laws.
Too soon it was time to say goodbye. Let's just say lots of the woman were in tears. The ride back didn't go as smoothly but we were all tired. We made it home safe and sound with no desire to travel for a long, long time.
We spend most New Year's Eves with the Skinners. Have for several years now. We play games and have snacks. The kids play and watch movies. Some of the older ones join our gaming table now.
Then when midnight hits we throw open all the doors to welcome the new year in (a tradition I got from my mom) and the kids run around outside barefoot in the snow (a tradition my kids started on their own years ago that we dragged the Skinner kids into). One of my favorite holidays because it is so low key.
But it was all worth it when the van stopped and hugs and kisses were shared all around. My parents moved to Texas fall of 2009 and I'm the only one who had seen them since. That was in March. It had been too long. We spent the week enjoying each other. Games, zoo, aquarium, movies, talking, laughing. It was wonderful!
Christmas was great too. Patrick got monster trucks, Auretta got a beautiful princess fairy dress, and David got an apple. It was in the bottom of his stocking and he was so happy he walked around with a piece in each hand saying,"apple, apple, apple." What else do you need? I enjoyed watching all the people I love get excited and their different reactions. That's my favorite part. But I have to give the crown to reaction to Laura Jean. I think I could give her a present everyday because it is just awesome to watch her. Thanks Laura for the show!
Too soon it was time to say goodbye. Let's just say lots of the woman were in tears. The ride back didn't go as smoothly but we were all tired. We made it home safe and sound with no desire to travel for a long, long time.
1 Comment
Sounds like a great adventure.
We spend most New Year's Eves with the Skinners. Have for several years now. We play games and have snacks. The kids play and watch movies. Some of the older ones join our gaming table now.
Then when midnight hits we throw open all the doors to welcome the new year in (a tradition I got from my mom) and the kids run around outside barefoot in the snow (a tradition my kids started on their own years ago that we dragged the Skinner kids into). One of my favorite holidays because it is so low key.