Christmas Catch Up

Christmas was a big deal this year.....there is no way to skip over it, so here I am posting about December in March. I apologize for being such a slacker. Just before Christmas we flew from Spokane to Denver so we could begin our holiday with the McKinstry side of the family. Seth's brother, Oliver, picked us up (Happy Birthday, by the way Ollie!) at the airport and shuttled us to Loveland so we could have a have a quick visit with Seth's sister, Maia and her family. Maia, Steven and Silas made us a great lunch and the kids had a fun time playing and opening gifts. It was so good to see the Rauers - Silas has gotten so big and visiting just made us want to hang out longer, but we had to hit the road to get to Rapid City....and Grandma and Grandpa. We'll skip over all the travel details - let's just say it was a long day, from flying to driving. We'll also say that Uncle Ollie is a saint to put up with us! We were all so happy to reach Rapid and walk into Tim & Margaret's warm, comfy house!

It was a wonderful Christmas.... we decorated cookies for Santa, went to Christmas Eve service, ate A LOT of yummy food, went ice skating, saw cool Christmas lights, and best of all - spent really nice time with family we don't see often enough. We'll all get together again in May/June to celebrate Tim & Margaret's 40th Anniversary, and that time can't come soon enough! 

COUSINS - Silas, Ella & Luke

Auntie Maia in the middle of it all

Mr. Silas Rauer - love this guy!

The Rauer Family

frosting cookies for Santa

Grandpa and the kids hard at work

Checking out the loot from Santa

Somebody's excited (and looking a little crazed)!

Christmas morning....before the kids woke up

what's in there?

Christmas Dinner

Ollie and me in the kitchen - watch out!

Ollie, Ella & Seth on the ice

Luke hanging out with G & G

my view from the backseat of Oliver's car

dancing in our seats....making the most of a long drive

Denver Zoo Lights