Christmas in Atlanta

We loaded up the van and headed southeast to be at Dave and Rachel's house in Atlanta by Christmas Eve. Clara kept Ollie entertained in the van with drawings of The Land Before Time (or as Ollie calls it "The Time Before Land") characters and recalling scenes from the movie. I tried to entertain Izzy with Clara's Ken doll but had to resort to singing This Little Light of Mine over and over. It had been 2 years since our last visit to their house so we were excited to be there. Rachel is reading The Night Before Christmas before bedtime. After the kids went to bed the adults caught up on all subjects of our everyday lives. Thanks D and R for the fellowship!Isabel received her Uncle DD/Aunt Rachel baby gift of a handmade toy box and blanket. This toy box Dave made out of pine from their house and the blanket Rachel made from South African fabric.

We, of course, took a trip to the zoo.

It's cheap and fun and the kids ALWAYS have a great time.

Pretending to be tigers, or any other animal, was the favorite cousin activity. Daily, either Silas or Clara would have a dog leash attached to their pants while the other "walked" them.

Even Isabel joined in. We came away from this visit reminded of how much our kids are alike in their play and interests and intensity.

It wouldn't be a visit with Uncle DD without some music. Here they are singing Go Tell It on the Mountain, one of our Christmas favorites.

Christmas in Kansas

The first stop on our holiday journey was Newton to see the Grandmas and Grandpas and Phil, Zandra and Catia. Isabel, Oliver and Marla had all been sick the week we left Texas so we were hoping Clara and Damian would not get it on vacation. We were feeling like softies because we had left 70 degree weather and came into 10 degrees. Luckily we were prepared with the appropriate attire. Ollie was fascinated with his breath in the cold air. At one point in the warmed van he commented that he "losed his breath." During our few days we had a wonderful time opening presents, eating, reading stories, playing music, pretending. We even squeezed in a short playdate with Thomas and Elsie and attended church on Sunday. Ollie quote: "Grandma, I've been looking for you!"- anytime grandma would retreat to her bedroom for a moment of peace.Catia's play dough set was the big hit of the day.

Grandma Verna's dog, Stanley, loved eating popcorn from Isabel's hand almost as much as she loved feeding him. Isabel said something that sounded like "Stanley".

Grandma Lela did her best to please Clara and Oliver on the piano. Thanks Grandma Verna for the harmonicas! They were definitely a favorite gift this year. The great-grandpas would be proud!

Christmas in Texas

This was a different kind of Christmas season for our family this year. It started with Marla making the advent banner for church, even though we were only there for one advent Sunday. We decided it didn't make sense to get a Christmas tree but we put up nativities,read our Christmas stories, and listened to Christmas music. Damian finished up finals successfully and we took care of some business in preparation for being gone for 18 days. Before we left Texas we opened our family presents. The favorites were a baby doll (I), The Land Before Time II DVD (O), and High School Musical Gabriella barbie with pool (C). After sending Henry with one of Damian's school friends, packing the van to full capacity and attending Clara's holiday party at school, we shoved off heading north.