Our Trip Home For The Holidays

We were able to spend about a month at home, which was very exciting. We saw so many people, did so many things, experienced complete opposite weather, and enjoyed our time. 

Now one month is difficult to sum up in one Blog Post so picking a choosing a few highlights will be my goal! Here our top 10 favorite things about our trip home! Items in random order! Surprisingly, I didn't take a ton of photos!

10. The Weather: Brrrrrrr

Definitely a shock to leave 90 degree weather and land on the day that it really got cold, dropping near 0. What a HUGE temperature change. We were prepared, dressed in layers. We left our house in shorts and t-shirts, landed in pants and long-sleeves. We were greeted by my parents who came with our winter coats! 

The boys got to play in the snow a few times over the break. Sledding down the hill, playing with their daddy, and building 'Mount Snowverest". They enjoyed their time! No matter where we were, KC, Omaha, Elgin, or Lincoln, there was snow!

9. Playing Games: 

An annual tradition in my family is game night. This year, due to the flu, we were not all together, but we still had a blast. Our tummies hurt from all the laughter. 

8.  Doctors Visits:

We check in with doctors when we are home. 

Alden saw his asthma doctor and they were very pleased at his progress! They are discussing reducing meds, but don't want to make any big changes right now with the distance. 

I had also noticed that Alden's tubes seemed to no longer be in the eardrum, but just chilling out in his canal. We went to the ENT who confirmed they were no longer in and functioning. He asked about hearing concerns, or concerns with travel. We had neither, so out the tubes came and no need for another set at this point! 

Zane had been expressing concerns with seeing the board recently. A visit to the doctor confirmed that he has a weak muscle that is struggling to adjust when he is looking at something up close (a book, iPad) and then tries to look up at the board or somewhere far away. The glasses are supposed to help train his eyes. He may not need them forever, or his eyes could continue to worsen. He has a 50% chance here! He looks SO much like his dad though!!

7. NYE:

Love celebrating this night with special people! We started with an Irish NYE celbration, then dinner, then draft house, then the casino and ended the night eating pizza rolls at Ashley and Josh's house!

6. Food - going out to eat! 

Definitely did not take photos of all of our food, but eating out is always a treat. Our number one go to...BREAKFAST. Sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy, potatoes, hash browns, etc. we LOVE and MISS it all so much!!

5. Home cooked 'American' food:

Thank you to everyone that prepared yummy food for us and invited me to be a part of the process of creating some meals! We definitely over ate, but nothing comes close to a home cooked meal, especially comfort food in the middle of winter. So delicious!

4. Christmas: 

Always a fun day! The boys were thrilled that Santa received their letter explaining that they would be in Kansas and that Frosty the Elf found his way to Mamaw and Papaw's house. The boys unwrapped some fun new toys and their reactions were priceless! Love being a part of memories like these.

3. Friends (old and new):

We saw so many friends! We met two new, handsome little boys. I was able to spend time with friends from High School (girls notice the lack of pictures...you are welcome!). The boys saw some friends a well. We played games, laughed, hugged, and reminisced. Always a blast!

2. Cousin Time:

Many days were spent hanging out with cousins. The boys played and invented so many games, slept at so many different houses, and enjoyed each and every moment with their cousins!

1. Being with Family:

I should have SO MANY more photos here, but for some reason, it is difficult to get families to pose for photos. We enjoyed our time at my parents and are grateful they let us 'move in' for a month! We had a blast in Nebraska with Greg's family as well! We are thankful that we have such supportive, loving families!