Blessing 51-Christmas

We spent Christmas in Russell this year. We left Saturday the 19th and spent a week there. We suprised my mom and came early. She thought we were coming the following Tuesday but we snuck out a little early. My dad helped with the plotting and we spent a night out at their cabin at Cedar Bluff Lake. We snuck in while she was taking a nap and was shocked to see us and thought she was dreaming!

Our trip started off a little rocky. Saturday night Thad wasn't feeling well and had a fever. I was freaking out being that far away from Dr.'s and of course I forget his thermometer. After tylenol and sleep he felt much better in the morning but then Sunday night was the same thing. We took him to the Dr. in Russell and he had a double ear infection! She gave him antiobiotics and by Tuesday he was back to his old self again. It always scares me going back to the small towns in Russell, not having a pediatrician in the same town. He was fine and I was much better too once I saw him feeling better.

We got to meet Avery for the first time. She is my brother Mike and his girlfriend Alicia's new baby. She is just a month old and cute as can be! She is a little snuggler and you can tell she gets held alot. We got to babysit a few nights and cuddled her the whole night! Thad was very fascinated with the baby. He kept saying "hi baby" and wanting me to put her on the floor. I didn't trust him enough to get too close to her but we did snap this picture real quick!

He just kept smiling at her and telling her hi.

We hung around Russell for the week and got together Christmas day- my parents, sister Michelle, Doug, Shayna, Hannah and Macie, my brother Mike and his girlfriend Alicia, Dawson, Jaelynne (Alicia's daughter) and their new baby girl Avery. We had a big feast and opened presents. Santa brought Thad a Little Tykes basketball goal. He also got a truck, building blocks, pajama's, pop up books, his first bible, a wiggle worm and so much more! He had fun this year opening all his presents. Everytime we said Santa's name or he saw a picture of him he would say "Ho, Ho, Ho" It was fun to see him get so excited opening up a gift and wanting to play with it right away.

It's always fun to get all the grandkids together. They have a good time and Thad keeps up with them all. They like to play downstairs with all the toys and make their own games up.

We also got a family picture together. So you can put names with faces here is the order. Back row- Adam, me, Michelle, Hannah, Doug, Shayna, Macie. Front row-Luci, Thad, Steve, Mike, Dawson, Alicia, Avery and Jaelynne.

Here is the wiggle worm Grandma Kathy (Adam's mom) and Papa Wayne got for Thad. You sit on it and bounce and it moves like a inch worm.

On Saturday we went to the Budke Christmas in Hays and got together with my mom's side of the family. It's always a fun time and has been a tradition for many years. We rent a big hall and have a big feast with more presents and of course lots of goodies to eat.

It's always nice to get together with family and remember what Christmas is all about. Yes it's fun to open presents but we know the real reason Christmas exists and are thankful for Jesus and all he has done for us. We hope you all had a Merry Christmas!