Home for the Holidays
So hard to believe that we are wrapping up our Christmas Vacation. I'm so so blessed to work for a place that literally closes its door between Christmas and New Years. It just is such a gift to have this time and really feel like you can 'enter the holiday' because of vacation. I head back to work tomorrow and of course I'm up late trying to wrap things up before I do so.
What a great Christmas. We are slowly trying to figure out our families traditions. Traveling over the holidays can make that a little challenging. But we did our best to incorporate some of our little 'family' times in the week home.
Our first full day home we got to help Pops with a cattle drive-Jackson LOVED that! Aunt Kenzie and Grandma Peg took care of the kiddos. My parents have their celebration of Christmas on Christmas Eve so it was a night of fun and festivities. Most memorable was probably the earlier in the morning with Santa Claus actually showed up to Mom and Dad's house. Jackson was ECSTATIC! He couldn't sit still...it was adorable...and he got a big combine so of course he was happy.
Santa only gives our kiddos three gifts. I've talked to so many friends who've given that good advice, to only do one gift/etc. I heard last year about the three gifts that corresponds to the Gift of the Magi. So we do a book, a toy and an outfit or clothing item. Jackson got a Tag Reader since he is so into reading and it's been a really good tool for him. But he also got a Hot Wheels Sky Jump toy which I think Daddy likes more than Jackson!
The day we were to leave Carroll we ended up in the ER with Jackson. I had literally, a week before, made the comment that I was amazed we hadn't had an ER visit with him. Dumb. Move. Luckily it was in Carroll and an overall good experience. He hit his head on a door handle at mom and dads. He wasn't even upset about it, I just noticed blood on his shirt and saw the gash. It needed three staples. He walked into the ER greeting every nurse by saying, "Merry Christmas!" He was a total stud when he got the Novocaine and when the Doctor finished the staples he said, "THANKS!" and he gave him a hug! Love. this. kid.
After a few days on the farm we headed to Cedar Rapids for the Havercamp Christmas which is always a fun time and then we went to the Quad Cities. We spent some time with Grandma Joan, got to see Grandma and Grandpa Havercamp and just relaxed. The final leg of our trip was spent in Chicago with the VanDrunens which is always fun. They welcome us like family and we feel so blessed to have their friendship.
All in all it was a great celebration and a wonderful holiday. Seeing Christmas through the eyes of a child is purely wonderful. At Mass on Christmas Eve, when it came time to bring offerings up for Baby Jesus, Jackson RAN up to Fr. Schott and when he got to the front of the church he greeted Father, who was sitting on the altar steps with, "Where's Baby Jesus?" He was ready for it!
Adelyn traveled really well and just gets more and more laid back with each passing day. She adapted to the travel considerably well and I was thankful for that. And her cute cheeks and rolly polly body got lots of lovin' while we were visiting everyone.
We arrived home on New Years Eve and we celebrated as a family with Jackson at the 9:00 hour. I was asleep on the couch by 10:30pm! Ahh this is our life. But celebrating with J was SO MUCH FUN! We got hats and had some 'bubbly' (sparkling grape juice). Jackson sipped it out of the mini-champagne glass that I used as a kid and his comment was, "I like the bubbly. It tickles my tongue."
We signed up for a membership at the YMCA yesterday. We've been putting it off for almost a year with excuse after excuse...the biggest one being that it is not located really close to our house. We finally bit the bullet and in two days time I'm so thankful for it! Jackson started swimming lessons today and we have worked out two days in a row-a new record for us. :) Praying we keep it going. It's just so nice to be part of a gym that is so family friendly. I seriously felt it the moment I walked in the door. Today after swim lessons we took Jackson to the racquetball court...I'm convinced he's a lefty.
Adelyn is starting to interact so much more. She will actually take a toy and grab it out of your hand, holding it in hers. She has yet to roll over but I'm sure that will come. She is a TUB! So great-more to love!
Lately Jackson has been showing more interest in her...he goes up to her and talks to her. They actually had a laughing out loud moment together. She was laughing at him. It made my heart melt. He is protective of her in a really sweet way and she is mesmerized by him. I didn't expect to see it so soon but the bond between siblings is definitely beginning. It's so cool.
Michael leaves on Saturday for two weeks in D.C. and I'm praying I survive. I have a lot of people helping me out and I'll probably be calling on people for more help. I know we will get through it and I know I'll be happy when he returns! Then we head off to Florida for the Young Life All Staff Conference minus the kiddos. It's sure to be an exciting month!
Here are some recent photos:
What a great Christmas. We are slowly trying to figure out our families traditions. Traveling over the holidays can make that a little challenging. But we did our best to incorporate some of our little 'family' times in the week home.
Our first full day home we got to help Pops with a cattle drive-Jackson LOVED that! Aunt Kenzie and Grandma Peg took care of the kiddos. My parents have their celebration of Christmas on Christmas Eve so it was a night of fun and festivities. Most memorable was probably the earlier in the morning with Santa Claus actually showed up to Mom and Dad's house. Jackson was ECSTATIC! He couldn't sit still...it was adorable...and he got a big combine so of course he was happy.
Santa only gives our kiddos three gifts. I've talked to so many friends who've given that good advice, to only do one gift/etc. I heard last year about the three gifts that corresponds to the Gift of the Magi. So we do a book, a toy and an outfit or clothing item. Jackson got a Tag Reader since he is so into reading and it's been a really good tool for him. But he also got a Hot Wheels Sky Jump toy which I think Daddy likes more than Jackson!
The day we were to leave Carroll we ended up in the ER with Jackson. I had literally, a week before, made the comment that I was amazed we hadn't had an ER visit with him. Dumb. Move. Luckily it was in Carroll and an overall good experience. He hit his head on a door handle at mom and dads. He wasn't even upset about it, I just noticed blood on his shirt and saw the gash. It needed three staples. He walked into the ER greeting every nurse by saying, "Merry Christmas!" He was a total stud when he got the Novocaine and when the Doctor finished the staples he said, "THANKS!" and he gave him a hug! Love. this. kid.
After a few days on the farm we headed to Cedar Rapids for the Havercamp Christmas which is always a fun time and then we went to the Quad Cities. We spent some time with Grandma Joan, got to see Grandma and Grandpa Havercamp and just relaxed. The final leg of our trip was spent in Chicago with the VanDrunens which is always fun. They welcome us like family and we feel so blessed to have their friendship.
All in all it was a great celebration and a wonderful holiday. Seeing Christmas through the eyes of a child is purely wonderful. At Mass on Christmas Eve, when it came time to bring offerings up for Baby Jesus, Jackson RAN up to Fr. Schott and when he got to the front of the church he greeted Father, who was sitting on the altar steps with, "Where's Baby Jesus?" He was ready for it!
Adelyn traveled really well and just gets more and more laid back with each passing day. She adapted to the travel considerably well and I was thankful for that. And her cute cheeks and rolly polly body got lots of lovin' while we were visiting everyone.
We arrived home on New Years Eve and we celebrated as a family with Jackson at the 9:00 hour. I was asleep on the couch by 10:30pm! Ahh this is our life. But celebrating with J was SO MUCH FUN! We got hats and had some 'bubbly' (sparkling grape juice). Jackson sipped it out of the mini-champagne glass that I used as a kid and his comment was, "I like the bubbly. It tickles my tongue."
We signed up for a membership at the YMCA yesterday. We've been putting it off for almost a year with excuse after excuse...the biggest one being that it is not located really close to our house. We finally bit the bullet and in two days time I'm so thankful for it! Jackson started swimming lessons today and we have worked out two days in a row-a new record for us. :) Praying we keep it going. It's just so nice to be part of a gym that is so family friendly. I seriously felt it the moment I walked in the door. Today after swim lessons we took Jackson to the racquetball court...I'm convinced he's a lefty.
Adelyn is starting to interact so much more. She will actually take a toy and grab it out of your hand, holding it in hers. She has yet to roll over but I'm sure that will come. She is a TUB! So great-more to love!
Lately Jackson has been showing more interest in her...he goes up to her and talks to her. They actually had a laughing out loud moment together. She was laughing at him. It made my heart melt. He is protective of her in a really sweet way and she is mesmerized by him. I didn't expect to see it so soon but the bond between siblings is definitely beginning. It's so cool.
Michael leaves on Saturday for two weeks in D.C. and I'm praying I survive. I have a lot of people helping me out and I'll probably be calling on people for more help. I know we will get through it and I know I'll be happy when he returns! Then we head off to Florida for the Young Life All Staff Conference minus the kiddos. It's sure to be an exciting month!
Here are some recent photos:
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