Thursday, Dec. 22nd - We made the long drive to Wichita. We were all so excited to see our Keathley family and meet Owen & Lincoln. The kids scooped up the babies almost immediately!
This is Owen.
Jenna was really good with them - he fell asleep in her arms very quickly.
Friday, Dec. 23rd - We started the day out right with some baby lovin'
This is Lincoln.
The first all cousin picture: Jenna holding Lincoln, Kellen holding Owen.
We did some tree decorating.
Kellen lost a tooth! Tooth fairy on the 23rd, Santa on the 24th! Fun!
Is there such thing as too much love?!
It's pretty fun seeing your siblings with babies!
Jenna and Kellen learning to change a diaper. Such good helpers.
Uncle Kevin managed to get Lincoln to himself.
Saturday, Dec. 24th - More morning baby lovin' - Lincoln . . .
and Owen
This girl was in seventh heaven.
I think someone in this picture is playing possum.
We enjoyed our Christmas feast on Christmas eve, so we could enjoy leftovers (and less work) on Christmas Day.
Lincoln took a little nap on Grandpa's shoulder
We introduced Lincoln to "Elf" the movie - one of our Christmas favorites. I think he liked it!
Two really excited kids finally got into bed and then 10 minutes later remembered that they hadn't set out the cookies, carrots, and milk. So, I set it out and took a picture so they could see.
Sunday, Dec. 25th - The kids opened gifts from Santa and we all opened stockings. For Jenna - a dog collar for Scruffy.
And a paracord bracelet making kit - for bracelets or to make more stuffed animal collars.
For Kellen - a ukulele! The night before, he kept saying, "I'm so excited because I think I'm going to get a ukulele tomorrow!"
And a "horse coloring set"
Santa came to see Owen
& Lincoln too! Again, so fun to see my siblings with babies!
We enjoyed church together, then came home to prepare left overs. Jenna was happy to help with the babies while we got food ready!
We enjoyed a late lunch with Aunt Janet, and cousins Rachel & Brooklyn. These second cousins had a fun time together - so silly!
Tummy time!
We stretched the gift giving/getting out quite a bit with a few gifts from Grandpa & Grandma Christmas eve, stockings & Santa gifts Christmas morning, 2nd cousin gifts Christmas afternoon, & Grandpa/Grandma/Aunt/Uncle gifts Christmas evening. Whew! So many nice new things!
Pie face game was a hit!
So funny!
Somehow, we never got the Aunts and Uncles who gave the game to try it out. I was the only grown up brave enough to try. Guess I'm the fun one!
Monday, Dec. 26th - We started the morning right again, with baby time.
Kellen was so sweet to "play" and sing "Twinkle Twinkle" to Owen. (See video 4378 in "Christmas '16" folder)
Then Jenna and Kellen tried out their new roller skates! (See videos 4381 & 4382)
Sweet Lincoln
In the afternoon, I had the pleasure of meeting my dear friend Abbie and her one month old Chloe for coffee and a short, but very sweet chat.
Time always picks up right where we left off and then flies by when we're together!
Back home for another visit with Rachel and this time with Uncle Jim - glad he was feeling better and could visit with us.
Cutie Cousins! Leslie had these shirts made for all of them. So fun!
We had a nice visit and Rachel was nice to take some pictures for us.
Grandma gave the boys these matching first Christmas outfits! Oh, the paparazzi! We have so many cute pictures of these guys!
This one ranks among my favorites - those bottoms!
Monday night, we enjoyed dinner at Abuelo's and then went to the Illuminations at Botanica.
Tuesday, Dec. 27th - These two sure were sad that their cousins had to leave & go home today. They started crying with big tears when they left. To tell the truth, we were all pretty sad.
After the cousins left, Kevin and I took the kids to shop at Academy (a favorite sports store). I was in the market for some new tennis shoes and a new KU shirt. I didn't find what I wanted, but the kids found some really cute Converse Chuck Taylors - their first pair! Then we went to The Old Mill - a favorite local soda fountain - for lunch. They had a blueberry shake on the menu that was perfect for our girl - she LOVED it!
After lunch, we went to Exploration Place museum and had a fun time exploring the exhibits.
My favorite is this miniature town full of actual landmarks from around Kansas - complete with two trains. It was decorated for Christmas this time and Christmas music was playing in the background.
The kids' favorite was probably this veterinary clinic.
They love playing this at home and here it was on a much larger scale with kennels for the animals, an x ray viewer, lab coats, etc.
Wednesday, Dec. 28th - We made the long drive home. Having presents from Daddy & Mama waiting for them made it a little more exciting of a drive. We had a full and very Merry Christmas!
