MERRY CHRISTMAS!
We enjoyed 5 days in Ida Grove/Battle Creek celebrating Christmas with our families. Hayley and I drove to Ida Grove on December 23rd and Josh joined us after work. We spent time with my family Thursday and Friday. Josh, Hayley, and I went to mass at my church (Sacred Heart) on Christmas Eve. My family went Christmas morning because Katie was singing-but it worked out that our little family went together. Our parish is in the process of building a new church and hall so that may have been the last Christmas Eve mass that we will have gone to in the old church.. the church that my dad grew up in, we have grown up in, Josh and I got married in and Hayley got baptized in... it will be kind of sad to see it gone. After church we went over to the Hewitts for Christmas Eve with Josh's family. We had delicious food and drinks and had a fun gift exchange. Hayley wasn't too crazy about the big crowd and got a nice nap in while we opened gifts. This was my first year not spending Christmas Eve at home with my parents and sisters... we spent Christmas Eve at Josh's parents house. I have to say over the years it is now like a second home to me and we had a wonderful time waking up Christmas morning with our little girl and opening gifts. Kayan made a delicious breakfast and we enjoyed the morning! We went over to my parents around noon to open gifts with my family and have Christmas dinner. I told my sisters they could open gifts in the morning like we always have but they waited until we got there which made me feel good :) We opened our gifts but were all excited to watch Dad open his gift from Mom since we all knew it was a Wii!!!!! We were all excited to play it! Dad's name was on the gift tag but it was definitely a gift that we are all enjoying! We enjoyed spending time with Jeremy who we don't get to see very often since he lives in Kansas City... and had a relaxing weekend of movies and snacking!
I took the week off between Christmas and New Year's and will probably do so from now on! It has been a nice break from work and has allowed me to get some things caught up around the house and enjoy my little Hayley! I think she is hitting the "teething phase" which has led to lots of walking around and bouncing to keep her happy but we are dealing and although it is challenging at times I wouldn't trade these days for anything!
We had a wonderful Christmas and are thankful to have enjoyed quality time with all of our family!
We took mom and dad to Chili's for dinner and gave them tickets to the Holiday Tonic-Sol Fa concert at the Orpheum for their gift this year!
Ready for Christmas Eve Mass
I wasn't crazy about Josh's beard; and of course he shaves after the holidays and all the pictures are taken!
I wasn't crazy about Josh's beard; and of course he shaves after the holidays and all the pictures are taken!
Christmas Morning at Grandma & Grandpa Hewitts
Christmas Day at Grandma & Grandpa Kallins
We have had these Little Golden Books since I was little.. it was fun to get them out this year and read them to Hayley. My sisters and I LOVED these books growing up!
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Our little Hayley had a wonderful 1st Christmas and was definitely spoiled a bit!
