Welcome to the insanely busy Christmas Break posts. Our home leave is a crazy two weeks of running around the state, but we wouldn't change it. It just wouldn't be Christmas without seeing all those people who mean so much to us.
We left Brussels on Thursday, December 18th. We landed in Chicago and drove our rental car to the Quad Cities to start our visit at my mom's house. She moved to a new condo in Carbon Cliff this year, so it was going to be exciting to celebrate in a new home.
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| Ready for take off! |
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| We were in the US for approximately 30 minutes when he consumed this giant cheeseburger. Welcome home! |
First thing Friday morning, we were off to Morton. We had my mom along for the ride. Our first stop was the junior high to say hello to Valerie and drop Allison off to spend the morning with Leksi.
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| We love Miss Valerie! |
Our next stop was Lincoln School. The kids are pen pals with Mrs. Knepp's third grade, so we stopped in to meet them in person and answer questions they had about Belgium.
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| Allison and Leksi |
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| My girls…Kathie and Andrea! |
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| Allison, Mrs. Roth, and Thomas |
Our lunch stop was at the Johnson's house. We absolutely adore them, and we were so excited to meet the two new additions to the family!!! Baby Will and Baby Nora are just the sweetest. My former students are having babies….crazy!!
We were all in baby Heaven!
Following our terrific visit with the Johnsons, we were off to Mrs. Witzig's house for the annual Christmas piano recital. Allison has been taking lessons with her since 1st grade and Thomas since 3rd grade. We are still Skyping lessons, and it is still working!
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| Mrs. Witzig and her kids. :) |
Friday night, we helped Lauren celebrate her 20th (good gracious) birthday!!! I swear she was just born. It was so nice to finally attend a Phillips birthday party again.
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| Great minds think alike! |
Saturday morning, we were off to visit my dad's side of the family in Hartwick, Iowa. It doesn't look like we're having fun, but playing Liverpool together is one of my favorite parts of Christmas. Nothing says "I love you" like screwing your family members out of the cards they need. Hahaha! :)
Love my cousins. Just missing Bill.
On Sunday, I finished Christmas shopping. Starbucks AND Target. It was such a good day!
Back to Morton on Monday for eye appointments. This girl got some really hip new specs.
Lunch at Culvers with friends!
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| Andy, Chris, and Andy :) |
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| So happy I got to see Cassie, Molly, Andrea, and Kathie again before Christmas. |
Back to the Quad Cities
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| Spending time with Grandpa |
On the 23rd, the kids always open their presents from grandma and Mike and Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Nicole.
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| Santa's little helper |
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| It wouldn't be Christmas without a Frozen gift. |
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| A lot of Minecraft again this Christmas. |
Sawyer is a huge sports fan. Apparently, this Iowa basketball jersey was exactly what he wanted.
After gifts, we went upstairs to watch the rest of the One Direction special. Taped to the TV was a ticket to the concert in Brussels. Happy Early Christmas, Allison!
I went grocery shopping for Christmas Eve food. It took me forever! I am not used to this kind of packaged cheese selection. Goodness!!!
Teri and I have met for coffee on Christmas Eve morning for as many years as I can remember. We've missed a few here and there, but we really make the effort to make it happen. This year, we decided to include our families and meet at their house. We really could have stayed all day. The coffee was delicious, and the conversation never stopped. It was a really great morning.
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| It's really hard to believe this was the first time our kids met?! |
Allison got Snapchat. Lord help us all….
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| Her favorite thing to post is pictures of her mom who is not ready for the picture. Thanks Allison. |
This is the first year Christmas Eve was celebrated at my mom's house. My papa had a stroke this year, and it was decided that it would be best if he didn't have the stress of hosting. It would have been a lot for him. Instead, he was able to be there and enjoy the evening without any stress.
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| This picture makes me want to cry. They look so old! |
The Vastines all dressed and ready for church on Christmas Eve.
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| Sisters! |
Pics with Santa…it's tradition!
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| Thank you Santa for the great book and 5SOS hat! |
Grandma got in on the fun too!
To say that Sophie and Sawyer loved their present from Santa would be an understatement.
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| She can see behind her with these on! |
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| My gift to Uncle Joey and Aunt Jackie…It's a Belgian license plate and perfect for this Belgian! |
Christmas morning…Santa was so good to Allison and Thomas!
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| It's a hard knock life…. |
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| I cannot think of a more appropriate sweatshirt. Hahaha! |
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| All he really wanted was this hat! |
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| Grandma and Thomas |
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| Delicious! My mom makes the most amazing prime rib dinner on Christmas Day. |
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| She is something else. |
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| I love you too, Allison! |
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| What a wild bunch. Post dinner food comas. |
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| Thomas, Papa, and Allison |
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| Allison, Grandma, and Thomas |
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| Uncle Joey, Aunt Jackie, Mom, Papa, and Mike |
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One last shot of me with my papa. He has had quite a year, and I'm so proud of how hard he has worked to get back to his house and living on his own again. His strength is inspiring.
Our time with my mom went by much too quickly. She had a rough year as well with having a defibrillator put in this fall. Spending Christmas with my family meant even more because there were too many moments this year when I wondered if we would all be together this Christmas. I'm thankful for each day we can all spend together. Cherish every moment!
Until next time,
Wendy |
