Kansas Christmas 2013

We made the holiday trek back to Kansas for the week of Christmas and it was pretty chilly weather to say the least, I think it got down to -17 with the wind chill at one point. We actually postponed our trip a day due to a major ice storm that went through northern Texas, all of Oklahoma and pretty much all of south central Kansas. Luckily the roads were totally cleared, but there was a half inch of ice everywhere else. The trees and fields were beautiful with the ice though, and it was overall a smooth travel day to and from. When you first get home you think you have so much time, an entire week, but it always goes so fast with so many people to catch up with and good food to eat. This holiday was no exception and we were able to see lots of friends and family and were very thankful to be able to do so.

This holiday season has been a lot of fun with Sam. He loves all the holiday songs, baking (marshmallows were his favorite), present wrapping and just the excitement of the season. We had been watching a lot of Sound of Music, which he loves, particularly the music and he would mix the songs, Doe a Dear and Jingle Bells together. He especially enjoyed the Christmas tree and house decorations. I would so often find him just sitting quietly in front of the tree and then laying underneath it, just looking up at the lights. One evening when Isla was napping, he took my hand and said, "Come on, Mama," and lead me to the tree to sit. So as we sat there, I told him the Christmas story and also about Santa. He just sat there listening so intently, with the Christmas lights reflecting on his sweet little face. It was a very special moment, just he and I, I'll always remember it.

Isla on the other hand turned 3 months old at the end of December. She was the best baby traveler ever. She just woke up to eat and that was pretty much it. Sam however, was so excited to see his cousins, Griffin and Phoenix that he couldn't fall asleep in the car, but luckily he was in good spirits all the way. 

Papa made an impromptu visit to Austin the weekend before Christmas to meet Isla in person for the first time.
 You can't see in this picture, but Odelia the dog, is sitting at his feet, so Papa had a chair full!

We were able to meet up with Uncle Zack in Emporia for a nice visit. It was great to introduce
 him to Isla and he hadn't seen Sam since he was 9 months old.

We also met up with Jean and Ron. Jean, being the school teacher that she is had
 Sam and her granddaughter, Ava, enthralled in a good book. 

Great Grandma Mar and Isla talking. Isla really enjoyed being held by
Great Grandma Mar and was just cooing away.  

While in Emporia, we had a wonderful long lunch with Uncle Tima and Aunt Pat. Luckily the Pizza place was totally empty and we had the run of the place. Pat and Tima are from California and happened to be in Kansas City visiting their son and his family and we were able to meet half way. The stars aligned because this would not usually happen, as well as getting to see Zack, who lives in Emporia. 

Great Grandma Ruby and Isla had a wonderful time loving each other. We spent
 Christmas Eve afternoon in  Marion and were able to see many of the Holub folks. 

Look how happy Isla is just talking to Great Grandma!

Hanging out at Grandma Ruby's house at the farm. Was nice to get to go out there again.

Happy, happy boys

 We stayed out at Grandma's house on the farm and Sam was in heaven. It is very quiet and relaxing out there, it's like a little vacation. Staying at Grandma's house is a walk down memory lane for me. When bathing Sam and Isla, I couldn't help but think about how it was the same tub I took a bath in as a baby. Sam would sit on the kitchen counter top and looking out the window at the barn and watch the cats run around, I had sat in that exact place a million times. I think Grandpa was happy to have extra company and a buddy that was so excited to see all the machinery that Grandpa had to show. It was so funny, I would be getting some coffee in the kitchen and see them go driving out of the farm driveway in one tractor. Then I was in the bathroom getting ready for the day and I hear and see them go through the yard in another tractor and then 30 minutes later I hear them riding all around on the 4 wheeler. Unfortunately, we had to leave for Marion and cut their time short on the Bob Cat as they were just warming it up. The highlight of Sam's time on the farm was getting to ride in Grandpa's big rig and honking the horn, it blew his little mind. 

Snowy Main Street. Christmas Eve evening.

Looking out Grandma's kitchen window on Christmas morning, it was so picturesque. 

Helping Grandpa gather eggs at the neighbors chicken coop

I love how happy Grandma looks here. This was her actual 89th birthday
and we were so glad to be there to celebrate her. 

Cousin Tyler hanging with Sam. 

So cute, Trae spending some quality time with Grandma.

A June Young cake...so, June Young used to be our bus driver in grade school. She also makes the most fantastic sheet cakes. So we all love, "June Young cakes" and Grandma's birthday is always the best excuse to order one. Halstead is such a small and trust worthy town. Since we couldn't get to June's house to get the cake before she had to leave for an obligation, she left the cake in the back of her old station wagon, we picked it up and left the money. I love it!

Some quality time with Grandma.

Griffin was in love! Grandma got him his very own mini vacuum because his favorite thing is to vacuum. 

It even has its own detachable  mini vacuum. 

Tyler and Isla

Tanner and Isla

Every Christmas night we head into Aunt Dixie's and see all of our cousins and family members
on Mom's side of the family. They were all excited to meet the newest little baby. 

This is such a great picture of Griffin just rambling around in the
 snow on the farm with his little ears sticking up. 

Grandpa, Eric, Griffin and Phoenix in Grandpa's fancy tractor,
which they thought was pretty exciting.

Oh sweet Aunt Yvonne and Isla, reunited again. Aunt Yvonne was here visiting in October after
Isla was born and was happy to see her and Sam again and surprised about how much Isla had grown in 2 months. 

Grandma looks so pretty here. The locket she is wearing in this picture, she just told us over this trip,
 was the very first gift that Grandpa ever gave here. How special. 

4 Generations and babies in PJ's, getting ready for bed, can't you tell how tired there are.

Happy Mama on Christmas morning.

Papa did a lot of walking and swaying with Isla. For being such a little thing,
she can really get people up and moving to keep her happy. Especially the men in her life

Sweet Phi with her Daddy. She had an adorable princess-esk type
dress and couldn't have been prettier. 

Anna and Griffin out on the farm. Was a pretty cold day they had a ball.

Eric and Phi between tractor and combine rides.

I think this is such a great picture of Verna looking at Grandma's photo album. These were pictures of her before she was married and she was a foxy thing with her little box purses and walking down the street on her way to work or spending time with her girl friends.