Right this minute I am sitting on my in-law's sofa, "borrowing" a neighbor's wireless internet connection. (Thanks, random, faceless neighbor!) It's 75 degrees, just the kind of Christmas weather you'd expect...for Miami. We arrived in Texas a week ago, around 8:30 at night. We put the kids in the car at 3 AM that morning, just a few hours after the Strong Rock Christmas party ended, and got all the way to Mississippi before stopping to eat breakfast.
The trip went pretty well considering the size and number of children, taking a mere 18 hours including stops. I believe it was a mother trapped in the car with children who invented the portable DVD player. "Mom, can we watch another movie?" "Why yes you can, dear, let's pick a long one this time." We went in the truck, so one kid sat in the front with us and we were able to let them take turns. We enjoyed that, since we don't get to spend a lot of one-on-one time with any of the kids as individuals.
We spent the weekend in Waco where James went to college. His brother and sister-in-law and sister live there, and a cousin was graduating from Baylor Saturday so we got to spend time with a lot of family there. We also got to see some friends from his college days and went to his old church on Sunday. That evening we drove nearly two hours to his parents' house in Azle, just outside of Fort Worth. We've spent the rest of the week here, hanging out with his folks, brothers, sister-in-law, and sister. It's been terrific!
James with the kids outside the bear habitat at Baylor University. Baylor's mascot is the bear, and there are two bears who live in the middle of campus, taken care of by students. They sometimes make appearances at football games.
They were pretty worried about being out in the open and so vulnerable to attacks.
Krista, James' first cousin, the college graduate. We went to lunch in her honor on Saturday. With her is James' mom's mom, Grandma Lee. She and Grandpa live in San Antonio.
After lunch Grandma and Grandpa Lee and some other family came to our hotel to hang out and visit for awhile.
We met James' college friends for dinner Saturday night. One couple had four kids, one had three, and the other had three. It was pure craziness, just like we're used to!
Amelia and Elizabeth in the hotel room.
On Tuesday the family drove to James' Aunt Denise and Uncle Simeon's house near Dallas for lunch. Aunt Denise is his mom's sister.
On our way back to Azle that night we stopped by the Gaylord Hotel to check out some Christmas decorations, including a life-sized gingerbread house.
Avery and Papa.
On Christmas Eve we went to a service at James' parents' church where his dad is the minister of music. When we got back we had a family photo shoot.
James' other set of grandparents who live in Huntsville, TX arrived Christmas Eve as well. This is Grandma and Grandpa Himstedt.
Jared, James' middle brother and his wife Laura.
James and his siblings Jason, Jared, and Jennifer.
A cute picture of Elizabeth with her Uncle Jason.Christmas morning was a lot of fun, as I'm sure you can guess. The kids are getting old enough to understand what it's all about. We all enjoyed a leisurely morning of opening gifts and hanging out as a family. That evening we had a nice Christmas dinner.
Avery and his stocking loot. Nearly all morning he carried around candy in one hand and a Cars toothbrush in the other hand.
We could have stopped after Shannon pulled band aids out of his stocking. He was pretty thrilled with them. Wonder if I can get away with that next Christmas?
Elizabeth has grabby hands these days and was trying to steal Amelia's stuff as fast as she opened it.
Presents!
Amelia had "wedding dress" on the top of her Christmas list this year. We just told her it would be awhile before she could use it.
For me?
The gratuitous bow on the baby's head shot.
Grandma Himstedt made all the girls fun scarves. Like the angel on my head? She follows me wherever I go.
Mimi made Amelia a poodle skirt!
We still love each other after all these Christmases together.
Mimi enjoyed her time with Elizabeth. Tomorrow we head back to Georgia...in about five hours, to be exact. We'll be putting sleepy kids in the truck at about 3 AM. We've had a terrific week and will miss the family we don't get to see nearly enough. We hope everyone has had a wonderful Christmas. This weekend we will have late Christmas with my family in Cleveland. More presents, yeah!
I'm off to bed for a few short hours. I just hope we don't all end up looking like this before the LOOOONNNNGGG ride in the truck together is over!!
No comments:
Post a Comment