Christmas in the O-H part 2

New Year’s Day morning, we headed up north to Findlay to see the Petro side of the family. Annie, Gary, Katie and the kids joined us that day and we had a fun trip to ride the local train. The kids had a great time despite how cold it was! There’s something about kids and trains! :) A couple days later, Ben, Jaime and Bear joined us too. We had our big family Christmas exchange, white elephant for the adults, a family photo and lots of fun times together. We played games, had great food and treats and just had a really relaxing time together.

Train ride with Norah and Nana

making Nana and Papa’s present

 

Trying on the robe Nana made (which she now sleeps in too)

 

Tenley doing the beached seal wiggle on the floor

eating Uncle Ben’s bday boston creme pie cupcakes. they were messy, so she did no hands!

Aunt Jaime did the “bump it” in HG’s hair! :)

Christmas In the O-H

We arrived Christmas Eve night in time to make it to my cousin’s house for the extended family celebration. We missed Santa and dinner but were so thankful we were able to see everyone before we all took off our separate ways for the evening. Once we got back to my parent’s house, we got the kids in their Christmas pj’s and Hannah Gray put out cookies for Santa and a carrot for the reindeer.

All of my siblings and their kids spent the night at my parent’s house so it was fun to all do Christmas morning together. Santa left the kids stockings which was fun to experience together. Hannah Gray was a bit excited and a little scared that Santa ate her cookies and the reindeer took a bite of carrot. You could see her wheels turning on that one.

“where’d they go Daddy?!”

 

My parents took everyone to the Conservatory for a fun Christmas tradition. We went through the entire garden, saw the live manger scene (well, the animals at least were real) and then all of the grandkids got to pick out a Christmas ornament. It was really fun and everyone really enjoyed it! They then took us out for lunch at Skyline!!! MMMmm, I was really craving that one! :)

New Year’s Eve, my dad took Ethan, Hannah Gray and me to the Airforce Museum. Hannah Gray had a blast looking at all the “airpanes” and pushing her “hannah doggie” in the stroller.

We then celebrated my dad’s bday with dinner that night

Aunt Sarah even took HG’s stitches out!!! :)

Then we went to see my college girlfriends for a New  Year’s Eve Party, our annual tradition

Random

Here are some fun random photos from around Christmas time…

Daddy Date

Ethan took HG out shopping to pick out a little Christmas outfit for their special Christmas Daddy date. Hannah Gray had so much fun picking out her outfit for the evening. I got her all ready and even dried her hair before she went out for the evening. They tried to go to a big event at a local Church that included lots of signing, but they were too packed to get in. So they ended up going to this Christmas festival that another neighboring town does. They saw Christmas drummers, carolers, snow and Christmas candy. She had a blast and asked for another Daddy date constantly for the next several days!

Getting ready for Christmas!

Hannah Gray and I had a lot of fun making cookies this year. We halved the recipes so we could make more varieties and not have a ton around the house, but let’s be honest. I should have done the regular size b/c by the time we ate (yes, we) the dough and icing, it would have been half a batch anyway! :). Nana sent HG some train cookie cutters that she was WAY excited about and Daddy went and picked out some candies to decorate them with. She had a blast and I did too! We then took our cookies to our great neighbors that we have! I think Hannah Gray enjoyed giving away something she had so much fun doing and was proud of also.

Christmas Morning Part 1

We decided that since we’d be arriving in Ohio late Christmas Eve, that we would do our own little mini Christmas morning before we left Washington. We did the whole thing, walking down the stairs picture, presents and brunch. We had a great time as a family! Hannah Gray opened her Mr. Potato Head to only see the waving arm to which she ran away in fear and hid underneath Tenley’s bouncy seat. Mr. Potato Head was able to make a recovery and now he doesn’t seem quite so frightening. :)

 

Opening the kitchen from Mimi and Grandpa