All I Want For Christmas is to Sleep Through the Night

Christmas this year was a whirlwind.  Worthwhile time with family, but a LOT of driving that included some bumps in the road!

From Winter 2012

As I mentioned previously, we tried to celebrate Jesus's birthday as a family all month long knowing that we'd be away from home during the actual holiday.  Our girls are so young that they don't really understand days and dates yet, so it wasn't too big a deal for them.  (In fact, Ruby is already whining about us taking the tree down because "it's still Christmas"!)  In the week before our trip we did some baking, wrapping, and sang lots of Christmas songs.
We got to wear our Christmas outfits to church the weekend before our trip.  Does it seem a bit strange to be wearing Christmas dresses and playing on the swingset without coats?!

From Winter 2012

From Winter 2012

We made the mistake of counting down the days until heading north .  We started the countdown about two weeks before we left.  Ruby promptly packed her backpack that day (a stuffed animal, a christmas book, and one puzzle piece, obviously).  More items were added each day until we could barely zip the bag shut.  And we got to unpack it every night because she needed her lovies and animals to sleep with.  We learned our lesson.  We will wait until the morning of to tell the girls when we are going anywhere.

Santa filled our stockings the night before we left.  No pictures :(  He must be pretty smart because they were filled with goodies to keep us happy in the car- books, treats, snacks, jingle bells, and a couple small toys.

About an hour north of St. Louis Ruby shouted "snow" and we realized there was a dusting covering everything.  She was ecstatic to play in the snow and I'm pretty sure she tricked us into stopping once so that she could get her hands on it!  Stepping out of the car she grabbed a handful and said, "I'm gonna take this frost to Grandfa."  Our poor southern girl didn't even know what snow was.  Steve and I were feeling pretty bad for our deprived girls who were so awestruck by snow that they had to wander around parking lots and ditches stomping in it and touching it!

Although cold up north, we did get to go sledding, make snow angels, and build a snowman.

From Winter 2012

From Winter 2012

From Winter 2012

From Winter 2012

From Winter 2012

As always our family was more than generous showering us with gifts, food, and love.

From Winter 2012

Ruby got the cutest haircut from Auntie Jen who, by the way, has the cutest baby bump.  Petunia Parrish is due in May!  SO excited!

Sadly Ada ended up here.

From Winter 2012

We discovered she had an ear infection and croup which was evident over several days and nights, ugh.  On the bright side, Momma got in lots of snuggle time (day and night).

From Winter 2012

Poor little Bear!  She was a trooper through all of the travels, people, animals, and hoopla.  She was so cooperative with her breathing treatments too.

From Winter 2012

From Winter 2012

We are so thankful we've not had breathing issues before this, as that albuterol made Ada cah-razy.  Here she is one night climbing on the fireplace and doing yoga.

From Winter 2012

This was followed by giving Dora (Sam's cat) a noogie.  That was the last time we used the nebulizer!

We did head for home a bit earlier than planned due to the sicky, but not before celebrating NYE with Great Grandma!

From Winter 2012

Ruby spent a lot of time in the car on the ipad and, luckily, Ada spent a lot of the car ride snoozing.

From Winter 2012

The girls really were pretty good travelers, but we all decided the drive is about 2 hours too long.  That's the point we all start whining.
At one point Ruby called Gaga Donna to pass the time.  Part of their converstation follows.

Ruby: Oh, look!  I saw a truck with mud on it.  It has big muddy wheels.
Gaga: I wonder where that truck was driving?
Ruby: Probably in the mud.
...
Ruby: What are you going to eat for dinner?
Gaga: Maybe a hamburger with lettuce and onions.
Ruby: BUNIONS?! BUNIONS?! (repeated over and over)
(nonstop laughing from everyone in the car)
...
Ruby: Bye Gaga, I gotta look at the pictures of my snowman.  (proceeds to hang up and open the photo album on my phone without waiting for Gaga's reply)