Christmas in Kansas 2012

Christmas Eve at Uncle Dan's house with a few of the cousin's, Uncle's, Aunts, friends, and
Grandma Ruby.  Such a nice day getting to see them all and catching up with Grandma!

        We had a lovely trip back to Kansas for the Christmas holiday. We were able to see many of the Aunts, Uncles, Great Aunts & Uncles, almost all of my cousins, a few of Quinn's cousins, Aunts & Uncles, the Grandma's & Grandpa's, Great grandma's and several of our friends, which we haven't seen in a very long time. We had an entire five days to eat, visit and be merry, which is the longest time we've been at home in several years. Despite the freezing cold, because we are now thin blooded Texan's, Sam didn't even seem to notice the -4 degrees (with wind chill) and had so much fun running and playing with Griffin and Phoenix, since they are all about 1 1/2 years old now and all very mobile. And he saw snow for the first time, even though it was a very narrow, leftover strip of snow in Cliff and Andi's backyard.  Grandma on the farm turned 88 years old on December 23rd, which is to be celebrated. And we were also able to have a pre-birthday celebration for Clifford, who turns 40 in February, AND he celebrated 2 years in October, post heart transplant, and is doing great!. He has a beautiful, and big family, as well as a lovely new home. We were so happy to get to surprise him and spend some quality sibling time together with all of our kids and his and Andrea's family. 

     Sam still isn't quite sure what all the holiday fuss was about, but all he knew was he liked it! He had so many people and kids to play with. He loved ripping open packages and received many new fun books and toys to entertain him. He was a trooper on the 9 hour drive to Kansas and 12 hour drive back to Austin. That's a very long time in the car for a toddler, and he was ready to be set free. On another note, we have enlarged our Texas family in the form of Verna. She has made the cross country move from living in Virginia, and working on Capital Hill in Washington D.C. for a little over 12 years, to now living with us in Austin. She is  attending Texas State University and is beginning the Masters of Health Administration Graduate program. We are over the moon to have her living with us and getting to see her on a daily basis. Quinn and I have lived without family nearby pretty much since we both went to college, and then moving to New England, and then Austin. So it is fantastic now to have her here, especially since we have the Sam, and I have a sister to share those fun Target trips and craft projects with. 

Silly time with Great-Uncle Terry. Sam thought he was the greatest and
had so much fun playing hide-and-seek all around the house.

Out on Great-Uncle Dan's land. Stick+Dog=Happy Sam

Bedtime story time with Grandpa and Cousin Sara at Great Grandma's house.
Sam's new favorite book, Good Night Construction Site. He's obsessed with trucks and heavy machinery equipment. The bigger, and louder, the better. 

Fun with Grandma in the kitchen playing with the hanging fan pull.
Doesn't take much to entertain these two!

This was probably the highlight of Sam's holiday. Riding on the antique tractor with Grandpa.Even after his turn was over, he was chasing the tractor to climb back up. 

This picture makes my heart happy to see Papa smiling so big. So Christmas day was by far the coldest at home. Seriously in the negative digits, but not a care for Sam all bundled and ready for more. 

Aunt Anna and all the kiddo's! Just hanging out after nap and
 crawling on her like a jungle gym!

Sweet Phoenix-love this picture of her and her cute hat. The kids were tired of
being cooped up in the house and despite the frigid cold, they went to the park
 and had a ball with the Daddy's. 

Griffin on the Merry-go-round, running and running.
 Pretty chilly for these California babe's!

Even Trae can't resist kissing his cute little cousin Phi. Even though he's a big tough
 Senior in high school and  big-bad football player, he can't resist her sweetness!

"Hurry up Aunt Verna!" Sam not so patiently awaiting Verna to cut his new Caterpillar dump truck free. 

Grandma on the farm enjoying her every growing family and spending
 time at her farm house. Happy 88th Birthday Grandma!

Eric and the twin's in front of the tree. Thought this was such a good picture of them all.

This is cousin Tanner, Sam and Odelia running on the farm.  Loved the two boys
 seen from behind and the very happy pup prancing around between them. 

Me and Susan goofing around in the shop. Previously the two babies of the family,
 and still having a good time with each other.

Family picture on the old antique John Deere tractor and the new tractor behind us. 

Tyler, Tanner and Trae with Sam. Can't believe how grown up these guys are,
and they are turning into such amazing young men...sniff. 

Clifford and Andrea at his surprise pre-birthday bash. Andi was so sweet to coordinate a get together while we were all home. They just celebrated their 1 year wedding anniversary this past November!

Cliff and 5 of the 6 kids. Ready to dive into some yummy birthday cake!
Happy Birthday Cliff-can hardly believe you're so old...just kidding!