Before we left we were able to attend the annual Christmas party for Jacob's work which is always such a blast. The party was smaller this year, but still fun. We got a family picture with a real reindeer and had some pizza and treats. The kids got to sit with Santa and pick out a Disney stuffed animal. The kids also each got $25 dollar gift cards to Walmart. I do confess we did let the kids pick out something small from Walmart (sheesh, we knew they were about to get a billion toys for Christmas) and we used the rest of the money on practical stuff. I have a feeling that is not going to fly when the kids get older!
Claire asked Santa for an Elsa doll for Christmas.
Tommy wanted an electric car.
Lincoln just wanted to pull off Santa's beard!
We made it to Kansas! Claire and Tommy traveled so well during the 15 hour drive. We only stopped for twice before it was nighttime and the kiddos fell asleep. I tried to drive for about 2 hours while Lincoln proceeded to scream for almost the whole time. Not sure what it was, but he was fine when mommy was helping him in the back and daddy was back to driving. Other than that, Lincoln was a champ on the drive. I thought Lincoln would go right back to sleep when we arrived in Kansas, but he didn't sleep much that night or pretty much any night for the whole vacation. At first I thought it was because he was in a new space, but he started us all off with the stomach bug and must not have been feeling well. We were all very tired by the time we got back to Ohio.
Thankfully we were able to do some fun stuff before Tommy and Claire got hit with the bug. One day was warm enough that Jacob and grandma took them to their favorite kid park to play and did some last minute Christmas shopping. The kids made gingerbread houses for our family tradition which was a blast! Claire and Tommy love getting into all the toys and movies that grandma and grandpa have from when Jacob and his sisters were little. Claire came up with this plan that we would all hold hands around the Christmas tree and sing songs on Christmas Eve, so that is what we did. After the singing we went to look at Christmas lights!
Tommy did a lot of eating AND decorating this year which was an improvement on last year when Tommy mainly just ate the candy.
Lincoln was crawling around while we decorated the gingerbread houses! This little guy was exhausting for everyone because he had to be watched every minute as he kept trying to attack the Christmas tree. Thankfully only one ornament was a causality of Lincoln's obsession with the tree.
Claire was really into decorating her house and doing it her way!
Christmas jammies on Christmas Eve is another fun tradition! Claire and Tommy were so excited to set out cookies, carrots, and celery out for Santa and the reindeer.
Christmas Morning!!
Claire got an Elsa doll and a Frozen art kit from Santa!
Tommy got his electric card and a tool work bench from Santa! Tommy woke up not feeling well, but he dealt with it with all the excitement of opening presents. Poor guy was next to throw up on Christmas Day and Jacob soon followed.
Lincoln got a toy he could walk behind with lots of buttons and music from Santa. He doesn't really like it, Santa missed the boat on that one. :(
Tommy and Jacob were sick all Christmas Day which was no fun. I wasn't very understanding that Jacob was not feeling well. We were making Christmas dinner for the missionaries and so I was feeling a little overwhelmed at watching the kids and helping to make dinner. Looking back I should have been more understanding, I need to work on that! Claire and I got sick the next day and grandma was sick the day we left. Grandpa soon followed. We had an uneventful drive home to Ohio, though it was a trick getting all the presents to fit in our van. We were so thankful to be with family over the holidays and Jacob's parents were such great hosts and so helpful with the kids. Claire and Tommy have both asked numerous times if we can go back to Kansas. Hopefully so!
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