round up

This Christmas vacation wrap up post is weeks later than I expected. I blame getting back into the swing of things here, and the fact that Kyalo's refused to nap most days for this.  Today, he's napping (I don't know why - but I am so thankful!)  so I'm taking advantage of the silent house!  I promised we'd make cookies when he wakes up.

So, Christmas. It already feels like a distant memory!  It was a fairly low-key affair for us, I'd say.  No big meal, no rush to get into presents, a pretty easy pace. Kyalo's not really into gifts yet, and didn't really pay any attention to the wrapped gifts.  I think we didn't open presents til 10 or 11!  I hope it is always like that.  Unfortunately, Christmas Eve day I woke up sick.  Some weird random stomach bug hit me hard - fever, aching, cold, etc.  To walk from the couch downstairs to the couch upstairs totally exhausted me. I am SO grateful that I was home so my mom could take care of me, and Dexter was on vacation to take care of Kyalo.  If you're a mom and you're going to be out of commission, I recommend that's the way you go.

Here are a couple of random shots...

 there wasn't a lot of snow, but there was enough to make a tractor-pulled sleigh (ok, sled) ride a fun experience for Kyalo.  I think we get more use from the tractor by pulling Kyalo around than actually cutting the grass. What a great 'toy'!!

Kyalo got a little golf set from Grandma, and Grandpa wasted no time teaching him the finer points of golf.

Christmas wrapped up with gifts, a brunch, and our usual grab-bag festivities with the Hammons.  All in all, a wonderful day!

On the Friday after Christmas, we had the Olatundes over for a pizza party.  This being the second year to do this, I think we can declare it a Christmas Tradition!  It was great to be with them again. Covenant has completed his first semester of college - he has hopes and plans of being a missionary pilot and so has an interesting life ahead of him!  Can't wait to see where he ends up.  The time that we have with them is always sweet and special, and I think how far we've all come from our days together in the UAE.  I love that we have so many round-the-world connections!!

 Master Chef, Covenant

 My parents got iPhones for Christmas, so Praise was giving my dad some tips!

 Peace, 9, read to Kyalo a lot

Praise had my camera most of the night. I love this goofy picture of her and Kyalo

(she may not be too pleased I put it on my blog though.  Sorry, Praise!)

I'm already looking forward to our next Christmas Pizza Party!

And then right after the New Year, a blizzard blew in, keeping us in town an extra day and a half.  It was fun to experience the blizzard. We built a fire, had hot chocolate, worked on puzzles. The usual things. But we also got out in it, too.  It was C O L D.

Essex Marsh, covered in snow

 pretty sure I'm wearing everything I own

We didn't last long outside.  Since it was a cold, miserable day, we decided to let Kyalo try his first movie.  'The Swan Princess' was not a hit - he's either too young, or just didn't like the story. Either way, he lasted about 20 minutes before he was looking for something else.  Still, I like this picture of him and Dexter snuggled up together.

So there you have it, more or less, a wrap up of our three week vacation.  Wonder what next Christmas will look like for us??