Sweet Home Elgin

We are all back from Oklahoma now.  Stella and I flew in late Sunday night and we are trying to settle back into a normal routine. Tyler and Brandon made the 12+ hour drive so that we would have a car in Oklahoma and a way to get all of Stella's toys home this year.  I spent some extra time in OKC so that I could see my best friend Stephanie and her 3 kids.  Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera with me when I met the twins for the first time but Steph did.  Click here to view her family blog and see some of the cutest babies in OKC!

I stayed with Caitlin and her son Boston while there, who I love dearly, and the kids had so much fun together.  We took all the kids to Chuck E Cheese one day and it was a load of fun.  I couldn't believe how much Stella and the boys loved it. Stephanie and Caitlin both have 2 year old boys who are 3 weeks apart.  Their names are Boston and Carter.  They have so much fun playing together and Stella likes chasing them around.  I wish we could all play together every weekend!

We had a really good trip and it was great to be back for awhile.  We spent some time at New Cov and enjoyed a great lunch with Kevin Harwi and the gang.  Then we drove south to see my fam.  Ok, I was wrong.  Stella hated Santa!  My step-dad dresses up like him each year to hand out gifts and Stella was screaming before he even got into the house.  See pic below.....

I got to spend a day with my beautiful niece McKinzy who is currently in foster care in Oklahoma.  For everyone who has been a part of this journey with us and who prays for Kinzy regularly, thank you very much.  She is doing really well and is THE happiest baby that I have ever seen.  No kidding.  I met her foster family and they are very kind.  I'll keep everyone posted on what is happening.

Then we headed off to the Grissoms. We always have alot of fun with Brandons family and we love staying with Papa Kent and Grandma Judy.  They are so sweet together and I love watching their "traditions".  Like how Papa comes home for lunch everyday to play a game of cards with grandma or every night when they eat a bowl of peppermint ice cream together. Sweet things like this.  Oh, everytime we go to Grandma Judy's house Brandon breaks something.  This year we were setting at the table talking and his chair collapsed :)  See pic below...  Tyler broke a table this year as well.  These boys don't know their own strength!  I also got to spend some quality time with my fav sis Kami.  I always love that and I wish I could see her everyday.

It was a great Christmas.  I wish I could include all of the funny pics and things that happened but that would take way to long!  I can't wait to go back soon for Brook and B-lows wedding. That will be a memorable trip!

Stella and Santa.

Kinzy Marie.

Brandon laying on the floor after his chair broke.

Stella and Boston at Chuck E Cheese.

Grandma Debbie and Papa Mike got Stella this car for Christmas which she loves almost as much as the bounce and spin Zebra that Aunt Kami gave her!  She is sitting in this car watching a cartoon as I type.....

Well, I had hoped to post more pics but for some reason this isn't working properly.  More pics to come later.......