Holidays 2011

We had a 5-week-long holiday and Ryan enjoyed every bit. When I asked Ryan in mid-November if he knew what Christmas was he said, "ya, it's when you dress up and get candy." By the end of December he got it a little too well and when we returned home from New Year's he walked up to his stocking and said, "I want more presents in my stocking!"

CLAY CENTER CHRISTMAS

We started our holiday celebrations in Clay Center with Nana. On our way, we stopped at the family farm where the kids ran wild and had a ball. That weekend we also visited a life-size Mater truck and Santa Clause.

with Jack and Jon on the farm

having fun with Liv and getting nice and worn out

Ryan and his best friend -

Callie enjoyed the farm the most of anyone

2 out of 3 looking at the camera isn't bad

Jack, Katie, Maggie, Jon

Olivia, Ryan and Nana

talking mostly about the candy cane with Santa

it took a lot of talent to recreate this truck and the kids loved it

CLIFTON CHRISTMAS

In mid-December we headed to Clifton for the weekend to celebrate the holidays with Popo and Grandma and lots of little kiddos. Ryan got to sleep over at the Turner Building with the big kids which included going to breakfast at the local cafe in their jammies on Saturday morning. They all had a ball together and we had one tired boy by Sunday afternoon.

Popo, Easton, Grandma, Ryan

Maggie, Jack, Jon, Olivia, Katie

Parker, Tessa, Finley, Isaac

movie time before bed with all the cousins

the Thomas book from his stocking was the highlight

and this is the first of many, many readings

all the kids had fun decorating cookies -

Ryan decorated briefly then mostly enjoyed eating

KANSAS CITY CHRISTMAS

Our final Christmas was in Kansas City with Mimi, Pop Pop and Aunt Ali all the way up from San Antonio. Ryan's school was closed a couple of days over break so he got to spend lots of quality time with his Aunt Ali and loved every minute. We had a nice long weekend together and spent lots of time playing trains at Mimi and Pop Pop's and at our house.

Pop Pop, Ali, Ryan, Todd, Mimi and Aunt Ali

checking out a new present from Aunt Ali

yeah, yeah!!!! more trains!

daddy was wise to unpackage them and put batteries in ahead of time!

enjoying some some good music at Jazz