I absolutely love the Christmas season. It's hectic, full of excitement, many last minute trips to the store to get 'just one last gift' for someone, fun music that we enjoy just once a year, the smell of holiday candles, yummy Christmas treats and much more! But what I enjoy most if the warm love that is present during the season. I am thankful for love from family and friends and loving others back is the easiest gift we can give. Celebrating Jesus' birth is just magical and I love it each and every year!
This year we started our celebrations by heading over to Ron and Cathy's house (Papa and 'ama'). Drew received SO MANY wonderful gifts and we enjoyed a yummy meal with Ron, Cathy and Grandma Merrill.
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Drew's very own 'beep beep'! VROOM - VROOM! |
Steph and Jimmy sent their gifts ahead of time it must have taken an entire truck to get them down here! He was spoiled rotten! Elmo, little books, clothes, a toy car (to name a few!)
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| TICKLE TICKLE, ELMO! |
And the grand finale was Drew's very own HOOP! Obsessed is the only word I can use to describe this child's feeling toward his new basketball hoop. We couldn't get it put together fast enough - he was launching the ball before the net was on and when I put him to bed that night, as he was dozing off on my shoulder he whispered... 'Papa, hoop....'
Thanks Grandma and Grandma Merrill for the wonderful day and all the gifts, food and mostly LOVE!
Now... off to Iowa! We left on the 23rd out of Tampa and as I say in all my travel post I LOVE THE DELTA TERMINAL! These fun things for kids to play on make the waiting game so much better. We had an 8am flight so it was an early morning. That didn't stop Drew though... we played hard before that flight!
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| Then... 'nigh-nigh'.... |
He traveled great - our first flight to Atlanta he slept the entire time and the second let we found Frozen on the free wifi movies on the plane and BOOM! We were locked in for the entire 1:45 min. flight!
The weather was so-so in Omaha when we got in. Dad picked us up and we headed to Holstein! Drew LOVED the snow (you'll see this is about picture 1/5 of him in the snow on this trip). Him, Papa Butcher and daddy went outside to build an Olaf. From then on - Drew would point at the snow and say 'Olaf'
This is in Papa Butcher's backyard that afternoon!
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| BRRRR! |
Daddy jumped right in and helped Grandma Lori clear her driveway! What a son-in-law! :-)
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| "Katie - please get a picture of this so my family believes me.." HA! |
On Christmas Eve day was a fun and busy day! We started the day off by a trip up to Cherokee to visit Great Grandma and Grandpa Hammer. They are doing great all on their own up there and it was great to see them, chat and give big hugs!
Then off to Great Grandma Butcher's house for lunch!
Look at this hot new music group!... we should have recorded and sent the track in to America's Got Talent - I think we could win!
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| Hey guys.. we really need a page turner. |
Back to mom's house to get ready for a fun filled Christmas Eve with all the cousins! Grandma Lori has always made Christmas Eve so special. It is my favorite night of the year and I'm pretty sure it ranked right up there for Drew this year!
First up - stockings! Grandma Lori always has the best stocking stuffers ever and this year was no different!
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| Gotta love the new 'cheesy' smile he has! |
We had an awesome meal! Mom made French Onion soup, prime rib and tons of yummy sides! DELICIOUS!
We finished up just in time to head to church! But wait -we need to snag a picture infront of the tree first!
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| Drew is obviously happy! |
The church service was beautiful.... but these little trouble makers sure kept it interesting! Lots of musical chairs, 'snacks' and books were out during the service.
Now back for one quick wagon ride around the basement before we open presents!
I have just a couple pictures from this madness. Once we start opening, it's like 10 rolls of wrapping paper exploded in the living room! It is insane!
Drew got such wonderful gifts from his cousins and grandma Lori. He REALLY liked Beau's tool bench (note to self -- birthday approaching in March!)
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| 'mom - I hope you are watching. I really want one of these things!' |
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| Well, well, well.... looks like I have another 'HOOP' on my hands! WOOHOO! |
Not the best shot in the world - but these little tikes were tuckered out! What a big day - and ending it with a big snuggle from Grandma Lori.
Drew absolutely loves kitty-cats. He mostly refers to them as 'meows' and once he saw mom's meow it was OVER. He couldn't stop looking for it, calling it, checking under beds, behind couches, in closets because all he wanted to do was pet Macy! Mom was able to catch her (she is deathly afraid of the little boys) so Drew could pet her. So sweet.
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| Meow. |
Christmas morning started off with so fun in the snow with daddy, Luke and Uncle Brad! The mommies stayed inside and took picks through the window :-)
Then over to Great Grandma Butcher's for a noon Christmas celebration! Papa Butcher, Connie, Aunt Renea, Uncle Steve, Aunt Ronda and Uncle Harry (referred to as 'hair') were there!
Drew and Papa Butcher have at least one thing in common - their love for 'pap-orn'! And Grandma Butcher's caramel corn sure a yummy treat!
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| 'Hey Drew - this popcorn is good... but it's time for a snowball fight!' |
Everyone loved how Drew throws ANY ball he can get his hands on, including snowballs! The weather warmed up so they took a trip outside to make and Olaf and throw some snow before it was all melted!
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| Yes. I am the number 1 Olaf snowman maker. |
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| Ronnie vs. Papa, Ethan and Drew! |
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| #precious |
Back to mom's later that evening for some RELAXING!
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| More pap-orn, a 'modie' (aka 'movie') and some apple joooooce with my cousins. Life. Is. Good. |
The day after Christmas we packed up and went out to Papa Butcher and Connies! They had this cute little table for the little boys and amazingly - Drew and Luke both sat down and ate their entire lunch in silence. The must have been really hungry. Hahah.
I just love that Great Grandma is able to enjoy time with Drew! She is just amazing and the moments when they play and chat with each other are just so precious. I wish I could freeze them in time!
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| 'HOT' (pointing to the stove) |
Rah Rah also loves spending time with these little ones!
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| Hey Luke - what the heck are we building?? |
Connie made a great meal and it was fun for us to all gather around the table together again! After we ate - down to the basement for some more Christmas present madness!
I don't think you can get any more cuteness into one picture! This framer is a classic!
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| Another wrapping paper explosion..... |
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| Good idea Luke - let's get in the box.. maybe they won't see us. |
Papa Butcher and Connie got all the little boys their own 'big boy' chair!
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| I guess Drew's feet go hot??!! |
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| Finally ran out of gas. |
After the little ones went down, we all hung out in the basement and had a great time with dad! Lots of laughs and fun are always had during this celebration!
The next morning Donna and Lucas stopped by with Kate -- she is growing up so fast and such a sweetie! Great seeing them!
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| Boys to Kate: 'We saved the purple chair just for you.' Kate: 'Uh, I think I'll just stay over here...I'm not so sure about you guys.' |
Saturday morning back to the airport for our return journey back to Florida. This is always a bummer of the day for me, but we were able to get some big hugs in from my cousin Jenni and Aunt Lois before we took off. We were so glad they came to see us!
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| SMILE, JENNI! |
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| 'Awww. Hugs.' |
Our return trip ended up lasting a tad bit longer than planned. Our 2 1/2 hour layover in Chicago turned into a 4 1/2 hour layover, getting us in to Tampa at 2am! Thank goodness we have Grandma and Papa Merrill to count on! They were there to pick us up - we are so thankful for all of their help.
We spent lots of great time with family, share loved with everyone and enjoyed celebrating the birthday of Jesus Christ. What a wonderful time of year it is indeed!
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