After an amazing Christmas Eve with the family, then our very first Christmas morning just the four of us (with spectators in the form of Maw-Maw and Paw-Paw), we set out for Cleveland.
Gram (aka G.G.) showered us with all sorts of gifts. In spite of Jack refusing to sleep, we had a great time. And God had some serious mercy on us for the final 6 hrs of the trip... we didn't have to stop once! (Well, except for a super quick refueling where only Derek got out). The kids were angels! Praise the Lord.
We made sure to get the wiggles out at Riverfront shortly after we arrived.
Then we had another Christmas morning
And were showered with gifts again.
We spent the rest of the week and a half getting as much in as we could. We played badminton almost daily. We caught up with as many friends as we could, and made sure Marie had lots of time with her friends.
We even got a library trip in!
We went to Heritage and New Life on Sunday morning. Didn't want to miss anyone!
And Derek and I got to go out just the two of us on a couple of occasions. One time we went to the imax and saw Mission Impossible 3. Awesome. And two separate double dates. Oh how I love my friends! Oh yes, and Thai Rak Thai's drunken noodles followed by a chocolate peanut butter milkshake from Mannings... my mouth is watering.
Overall it was just a fantastic and relaxing week and a half. We needed it.
It mostly felt like we never left even though it had been an entire year since we visited last. Huge pieces of our hearts are there and always will be.
Now back to reality!
