Christmas Recap

Is it really done already? Christmas was fantastic as usual, but went incredibly too fast. It's not fair that such a special, magical time is done in the blink of an eye. 

As always, the holiday kicked off early with "Porth Christmas". It was great to see my cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents all under one roof. The time together is rare, but I think we all cherish it fully. I took hardly any pictures, but I guess that's what happens when you have kids. Right Jess, Emily and Stevi?

Emma: 16 months   Levi: 2.5 

We visited Santa and he didn't seem to phase her.

We made it up to Minnesota to celebrate. The last two years they had to come to Ames due to Matt's work schedule, so it was nice to get up there this time.

A baby doll and stroller from aunt Stacy, Uncle Chad and cousin Maddy

Emma loved her some cousin Maddy time

We got back to Ames mid-day on Christmas Eve in time to unpack before celebrating with my family. Christmas Eve service is always my favorite, but a little more difficult to enjoy while trying to keep a toddler quiet. I think next year we will take her to the church nursery. After church we did our usual appetizers for dinner and opening presents. It was a bit of a whirlwind as we didn't know when Emma would hit her wall considering she usually goes to bed at 7:00. She surprised us all and didn't hit her wall until 9:30. Must have been from all the excitement that Christmas brings.

Such excitement for the kitchen set from Papa and Nana

Christmas morning was spent at home as a family of three and it was perfect. Before we had Emma, Matt and I agreed that it is important to us that should his work travel allow, being at OUR home on Christmas morning was a must. We are lucky that both of our families get it and understand us wanting to spend some time just us and start our own traditions. It was simple and relaxing and spent just enjoying Emma. We ended the day with a delicious prime rib dinner and opening stockings over at my parents before heading home and watching a little Elf before bed.

It's hard to believe that next year we will be celebrating the holidays as a family of four and getting to see our girls together during this special time of year. I can't wait.

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful." 

Emma's First Road Trip

Emma made her first road trip this last week to "God's country" (Minnesota) to visit and meet family and friends

We left on Wednesday late morning after feeding Emma and packing nearly the entire house. She was asleep by the time we got on I-35 and slept most of the way minus about a total of 30 minutes of crying. We are so lucky that she loves being in the car and sleeps well in her car seat. Knock on wood that continues for future trips!

We spent Wednesday night just north of the cities with the Huntley's and that was also our first experience of sleeping in the same room as Emma. Let me tell you, that girl moves and talks a lot while sleeping. I bet I got out of bed 20 times because I thought she was awake. Nope, still sleeping. I think it might have been the worst night of sleep I have gotten since she was born. 

We headed Thursday morning to Litchfield and Emma slept most of the way other than a 10 minute bout of crying during a torrential down pour in St. Cloud. We spent the rest of the day hanging out with family and getting in time with grandma and grandpa. Thursday night was the second night in a row of Emma going to bed WAY past her bedtime. I thought we had difficulty getting her to sleep at home, but boy being away is even worse. I cried Thursday night being so delirious and wondering if we traveled for too long and too early with her. Friday included a drive around Litchfield so Matt could show Emma his old stomping grounds, a visit to great grandma's, dinner with friends and time with aunt Stacy and uncle Chad.

Saturday we had an "open house" of sorts so family could stop by and meet Emma. She met lots of people and definitely had her fair share of being passed around! 

Four generations

Our time in Litchfield came to an end on Sunday and it was sad to go as we won't get to make it back there until April or May when Matt is done with men's basketball. By that time Emma will be crawling and moving around like crazy! 

We ended our trip to Minnesota with a stop to see Jamie, Emily, Avery and Levi. We always love whenever we get together with them as there are always a lot of laughs and they are such great role models as to the type of parents we hope to be for Emma. We were lucky that Emma slept all the way from Eagan to the Ames exit! Emily joked with us that maybe she would sleep the whole way and I laughed and said probably not. Looks like I was wrong!

Levi was clearly not impressed that all the attention is on the girls.