We finally, after almost 10 months, GOT OUT!!!! I didn't even care where we went- I just wanted to go SOMEWHERE to look at anything besides the inside of our house. Of course KC made the most sense, since it was Christmas time, it would just be a short road trip, and we could keep it as safe as possible by only visiting family we were relatively sure were Covid free. Of course there are no guarantees, but we did out best and hopefully didn't bring anything nasty back to our house. Anyway, here's a peek at our fun. I realized that I failed to take pictures during some really cool times, which just goes to show that I was enjoying myself too much and just forgot. Gotta love that, right? :)
I worked on the Wednesday before we left, and I had fun exchanging presents with Carter. He got me a pretty ornament and a gift card to Panera. He decorated my box like a robot, and after I opened it, he got SO mad at me for messing up his robot. I even kept the paper in-tact and tried to explain how i couldn't get to my present without taking it off the box, but he was still so mad. Cracked me up!
He got over it and enjoyed opening his gifts from me.
First, he opened a puzzle of the nativity. I spent $3 on it, and it was worth exactly that. Practically fell apart when we were putting it together. UGH!
Thankfully, all was saved when he opened his transformer. He is OBSESSED with any kind of robot, as you can tell. He LOVED it and played with it the rest of the day!
Scott worked hard the day before we left to put the finishing touches on a wooden toy car he made for Branson (his great-nephew) for Christmas. It was the first things he's really made in his new "shop", and it turned out great!
Cute, right?
So, before we left, we installed some RING cameras in our house. It was SO fun to check in on Sasha and talk to her through the speaker. Zoey traveled with us. :)
Our first stop the next day was to my parents' place. Mom made us brunch, and we hung out eating and playing games all morning. I love looking through my parents' Christmas card, and EVERY YEAR since I was a kid, they've gotten a card from a family who writes a FOUR PAGE letter that is SO braggy braggy you would die! I read it with great exaggeration, and we were all cracking up!!
I know my parents well! My dad is ALWAYS eating nuts, so I got him a little assortment, that thankfully, he shared with us! Yum!
I knew my mom would enjoy a new pic of the kids. :) Isn't she just beautiful????
Sure, everyone can have a few!
A break for a pic!
And back to eating.... :)
Nana got us all adorable holiday masks, and then the kids opened their presents- GIFT CARDS!!
Allison is ready to go to Starbucks and Panera- thanks, Nana and Papaw!
Aaron loves to receive regular VISAS. He usually gives them to Scott to put in his bank account. He's our saver!
When I was little and went to visit family, we would become bored and then play "hide the thimble". One of the old Aunts or grandparents would hide a little thimble and we'd have to find it. I know, fun in the 70's was different from today. But it's still fun, and my kids love to play. So Nana hid the thimble for them. Too cute!
We played Skip-Bo and Uno. Good times!
That afternoon we headed to Crown Center to shop. Everyone was masked, and it wasn't too crowded, so we felt pretty safe. We spent some time outside there too! Wish it was colder and snowing, but that's okay. At least we didn't need big coats- or any at all, really!
He's a lightweight, but I didn't have him stay up there for long! :)
From Crown Center we walked over to Union Station to see the Christmas tree and walk around a bit. Once it got dark, we headed to The Plaza and drove through it, along with half of KC, looking at the beautiful lights. Sadly, I only did videos, so I don't have any pictures, but Aaron said he took some and would send them to me, so I'll share later. It's SO beautiful all year round, but EXTRA wonderful at Christmas!!
My view the next morning. Is this cute or WHAT???? My little family, all sleeping. :)
The next morning we slept in and then went to visit my niece, Julie, and her kiddo Branson. I hadn't seen them in SO long, and the hugs felt WONDERFUL!!!!
Boring Aunt Laurie always gets educational gifts.... but he seemed to really like his letters and Letter Factory DVD. :)
And he really loved Uncle Scott's car. As soon as he opened it, he said, "Beep Beep!!!", so we knew Scott had at least made a recognizable car! :)
He is SO precious!!!
Looking at me through his new "O".
Scott is SO good with toddlers! He kept Branson entertained the whole time!
See? His expressions show how fun Scott is! :)
Cousins!
You're never too old for play-dough!
We often drive down memory lane when we're in town. This is my childhood home- ages 4-12. LOTS of good memories of fun and friendly neighbors.
Before heading over to Uncle Jeff and Aunt Sheila's, we HAD to have lunch at Jack Stack BBQ. We NEVER come to KC without eating a meal here. It's just THE BEST! This time I split a meal with Aaron- we had burnt ends, cheesy corn, and roasted broccoli. DELICIOUS!!!
We hung out at their house all afternoon, watching the Chiefs WIN AGAIN!!!! We can get a first-round bye in the playoffs should we win against Atlanta next week (Aaaron added that)
Jeff, Sheila, Abby and Caroline. It's so different now that we don't have little kids running around anymore. The "kids" are 13, 15, 18, and 21. No more babies any more!
The kids wanted to explore their house, cause it's super duper pretty!
Their sweet pup is getting older and having some bathroom issues. I couldn't resist taking a picture of her in her little diaper. She actually posed for me. :)
Back at the ranch, Zoey claimed Scott's side of the bed and pillow. How comfy does she look???
Before heading back to STL, we stopped by to see my brother and his metal shop. His hugs are worth the trip- they are the best, and I miss seeing him on a regular basis.
Scott enjoyed talking to him about his shop and equipment. We looked around and touched stuff we probably weren't supposed to, but it was fun. :)
Aaron napped for 1/2 the trip home. :) Zoey is the best traveler! She never complains about anything... however, she also never eats. :(
Zoey immediately got cozy once we got home.
And, we had a little drama once we got home. WE WERE STUCK OUTSIDE OF OUR HOUSE!! We tried everything, but we could NOT get the garage door to open, and I changed purses for the trip and didn't have a door key. Uh oh! We had a friend check on Sasha when we were gone, and she didn't have any trouble getting in. Hmmmm. We couldn't get a hold of her, so we were thinking we'd have to call a locksmith. But FIRST, let's check all the windows just to be sure we didn't keep any open on accident.
WE DID!! The front living room window was unlocked!!! NOT GOOD! However, it was good for us at this point! Aaron volunteered to climb through the window and we were laughing so hard cause it was dark and we looked like we were breaking in, and the cat was in there just looking at us, and oh my gosh, it was the funniest scene!
I immediately attached my house key to my keyfob deal so this wouldn't happen again. :)
A couple of random funnies before I close...
This brought back memories for me.... this happened ALL THE TIME! :)
