The lead up to Christmas - the enjoyment the jolly - all the wonderfulness. My folks snagged the boys for a night of game playing and movie watching. Love those cozy happy faces!
A sweet short video or Drew signing -
Meanwhile Chris and I enjoyed a body pump class together and went to the library in search of car ride entertainment - can I say we didn't even watch these. The conversation was WAY better (podcasts too)
Dinner was pretty slim pickings - I want to remember that is was POURING RAIN on December 23 - POURING!
This may look a little brighter. (not much) Christmas Eve morning we found an assisted living center near our home thought would like a little Christmas cheer.
The boys had some cookies, snow flakes, and angels to give to the residents. This was our first time visiting and meeting the residents. It was sweet to see how the boys reacted and the residents as well. Hoping to establish a relationship with them as the boys can read to them or just spend some time.
After that we had our neighborhoods annual Luminaries assembly and distribution. She hosted it at 1pm and it literally stopped raining at 1:10 pm - the show must go on! Lots of college kiddos home from school - sweet to take care of the little guys that are so excited to be part of the distribution process.
Off to Christmas even service in short sleeves!! My father declared it as wet best Christmas eve service ever - 29 minutes and the kids were in the pagent - we just didn't know that until we got there! No rehearsal!
Simple Christmas eve dinner of mussels cooked by Rockstar Chris.
The boys couldn't wait to open their Christmas eve gift.
And put them on in time for a very special guest - right after his deliveries in Germany!! After he left Nick could see rudolph many times in the night sky - Night night nick!
When folks ask me if my kiddos were excited - well here is the answer - I think so... Honestly all the 'butt shots' are what is cracking me up. Nick was surely more excited about our companion announcement
And some C&H Fire Sprinkler shirts - Fire Turns us on!
It was really chaos after that. Chris managed to make some breakfast while we ran around realizing what we may have forgotten and the kids were just as crazy. My folks snagged pauli and helped get us out the door (if that is possible) Honestly that morning I thought we could be a fascinating study in inefficiency -
Here we go!! in the car at 10:15 and we DID NOT STOP until we got off the highway in Woodbridge VA - (I could have used the potty 2 hours into our trip, but nothing was going to stop us - Farrah drove all the way to us in the summer NO STOPS!) The boys watched movies and we made it!!
it was a VERY rainy day (perfect for driving) minimal traffic
Tate and Macy still didn't know we were joining them so that is what makes this video so special.
This is the video from Farrah's angle - Looking back I almost cringe at mentioning princesses to Macy as she really didn't want to have anything to do with princesses - She would have loved to see Rai from the new star wars movie, but Bell from Beauty and the beast or cinderella - no thank you. Yes our kind of girl!
Love love love Tates response when Nick asks him if he can come to Disney with them - ah - to have forever friends - true treasure!
Brian and Farrah had prepared an amazing Christmas Dinner spread. Not only were we planning to travel with them for the next week, but we got to share Christmas dinner together! The roast was amazing, the garlic, the leeks, the POTATOES - Brian is an amazing cook and we are so grateful he made the time to totally indulge us all. We even had poppers as part of a British tradition that Brian's family had practiced for years. who would be the last one to wear the crown??
Maybe that is enough excitement for one day?? Or maybe not. After dinner, Chris and I packed up Shane and Drew hitting the road for 2 more hours - crazy right? I had wanted to see Megan as her family recently moved to Richmond VA - knowing that additional 2 hour drive is not always in the cards, I knew that now was the time - Plus she was headed to London over New Years for family wedding and epic trip with her hubby, so seeing her on the way back wasn't an option. On the drive to the McCulloughs chris actually mentioned it - never thinking I would take him up on it and than Megan would welcome us on Christmas night - Well guess what, she did - with open arms!! We rolled in at 10 with a sleeping Drew and an away Shane who was thrilled for some Kallen time. We stayed up for a few more hours relishing in they new home and new life in Richmond - Chesterfield actually. I love knowing where your heart and family are now Megan.
As much as you may try to choreograph a 3/4 year old reunion - you just cant. We woke Drew up at 6:15 and he was still rather groggy, but initially excited to give Nolan a huge hug and surprise him..... Apparently he needed some coffee.
In the moment I never want to stop the conversation and take a photo -yet looking back I OFTEN wish I had more pictures -
We were literally getting in the car to head to a rest stop and link up with the McCulloughs (and Nick) We snapped a bleary eyed morning shot.
Megan THANK YOU for welcoming us totally last minute - having beers until late and waking up early for a yummy breakfast. We felt so very loved and thankful to have the moments together. That day she was packing up and headed to the outer banks with her family!! and next onto London
THANK YOU also for Kallen's shoes - After 2 hours in the car from CT I realizes shane put on his winter boats for the ride - not the walking shoes I had hoped for in Florida - Thankfully we have friends that are awesome WITH shoes that fit!
No texting needed - we pulled into the rest stop RIGHT BEHIND the McCulloughs - swapped some passengers - (Macy and Farrah joined us while Chris went with Brian) The McCulloughs ROCKED the entire drive from VA to FL - AMAZING!
VERY brief stop at South of the Border
Farrah and I are headed to the same place - just dressed VERY differently!
Last minute staples for the Condo - this was our 2nd and final stop, everyone was allowed to grab something they wanted. The kids all grabbed a bag os chips (THRILLED might I add) I had to grab the drinks =)!
14 hours in the car and we arrived right before 9. The kids stripped off and headed to the pool! PERFECT - night swimming! Just what they needed to make these photos possible.
Snooze away sweet munchkins
The adventure has only just begun
I remember the day that Farrah proposed this vacation idea - we were new into life of the small business owners - Chris said absolutely not - I asked our financial adviser - he said YES - do it, you don't get this opportunity often, the kids will grow.
So save!
how? Any payments we take from the business are necessary ones, like food, mortgage, etc.
I socked away every penny I made from R+F for the last 4 months and did it!
FELT AWESOME to make that transfer.
Being with our friends made ALL THE DIFFERENCE! Friends like this truly ENRICH everything about life - wether its sharing a crummy bag of chips, listening to a pod cast or exploring disney - ok. the blog must go on! I just love living the moments!
