Christmas at Gramma Rue's

This year we spent Christmas at Gramma and Grampa Rue's house. We were a little worried that the weather was not going to cooperate. They were recommending to stay off the roads because of freezing rain and blowing snow (awesome!) but we journeyed to the airport anyway. We left Christmas morning and came back on New Year's Day. The trip was fairly uneventful without any delays or problems! We left the house early and the kids cooperated. We played games and ate snacks on the airplane, and the kids did great! Zachary took a nap after takeoff, and Kenna colored and played with her dolls. Then we had a 2 hour layover in Denver. We got some lunch, and let the kids play (including letting down my germ guard and allowing Zachary to crawl on the floor....ick!) The plan ride to Pasco was equally uneventful and we got there on time.

--Kenna would wander about 20 feet ahead of us before she would turn around and make sure we were still there in the airport...miss independence!--

Gramma Rue and Chelsey came to pick us up. We loaded up all the bags, toys, carseats, strollers, etc....man we had to pack half our house! We arrived at their house had a big dinner and opened presents!

--it went by so quickly! Kids got lots of toys and clothes!--

--kenna opening a gift--

--one of the biggest hits was the puppet show, it was so big we had to ship it home! pretty sure the shipping was more than the cost of the gift, but it was a hit grampa rue!--

--she LOVED it!--

--Tim, Trish, Anna, Andrew, and Gramma Rue opening gifts--

--went to the Country Club for lunch on Saturday--

--we were the only ones there :) --

--zachary loved playing with a spoon and napkin--

--kenna drinking her juice (they were out of milk? How is that possible?) --

--Andrew was chilly at the restaurant--

--Aunt Chelsey--

--Aunt Chelsey is minoring in Music, she played for us while we were there--

--kids loved listening--

--I got the kids matching jammies for Christmas, here are Kenna and Andrew posing--

--I think I envisioned all the kids posing quietly for a picture...a 4, 3, 1, and 9 month old...yeah right!--

--we did get some cute shots though!--

Most nights we played games, snacked on too many sweets, and just chatted. One morning I went and visited my friend Maren and her family. Her little girl, Jocelyn, is about 6 months older than Kenna, and Deric is 7. The girls played well together (although sharing is becoming increasingly painful ;) and Maren and I had a chance to catch up!

--playing princess divas--

--Deric showing me his Wii skills--

--trying on her tu tu (that aunt chelsey made) and her jewelry to match--

It seemed like the trip flew by. The kids stayed on Iowa time, so they were in bed by 6ish each night there. Gave us lots of time to hang out with Brandon, Chelsey, Tim and Trish. We couldn't have asked for a better Christmas! We had safe travels home as well (just barely making our last plane!) We literally were those people running with our kids to make the gate. They opened it back up for us. The plane in pasco took an extra hour to de-ice. But, we made it home safely. So good to all be together for Christmas!