Celebrating Christmas . . . Part 1

Tomorrow morning we head back to work and school after a fantastic Christmas break. Over the last two weeks we have enjoyed quality time with family and friends, relaxed, read, played and relished in a slower pace of life. Sticking to a slow pace has been aided over the last week with more snow than our kids have seen in their lives. Break has been wonderful!

We started our break with a trip to southern Missouri to Brandon and Misty's house. While we had to cut our time there a little short due to a blizzard approaching home, we had a lot of fun. With Brandon heading to Iraq in the Spring, we are really appreciative of any time we get to spend with him and the rest of the family. Here are some pictures from our time there.

Making Gingerbread Houses . . . Our kids were thrilled when we sat them down at a table full of candy and told them to go at it. I think this was the beginning of a new tradition.

Sophia and her hero, Casey

Grant and Kyla

Grant and his gingerbread shopping mall

Sophia and her gingerbread house

Sophia and Uncle Brandon

Grant and Grandma playing with one of Grant's gifts.

Our kids were introduced to the game Rock Band at Brandon and Misty's--so much fun!!! (I tried to upload a video of the whole crew in action, but couldn't get it to work.) The afternoon we spent in the basement with this game was super fun. Grant especially loved doing vocals!! (Again, I wish that dang video would load . . . so FUNNY!)

Aunt Misty demonstrated her hidden talent . . . seriously good.

So, that was the first part of break . . .more to come!