We were all excited to have Nana and Grandpa come visit for a few days. We always wish they would stay longer and really enjoy their visits.
Giving Nana a massage
We have been to the Dallas Arboretum with Nana before but have never taken Grandpa. I knew it would be a place he would like. It's clearly not as beautiful in the winter but it's still great and they have their 12 Days of Christmas Displays up. It was COLD we were all bundled up as well as we could be considering we aren't super equipped to be outside in cold weather since we only have a few days of it all year. (My poor dad who only wears shorts...I tried to get him to put on pants but he wouldn't budge.)
Emmalyn couldn't get enough of her grandparents. She was so focused on them.
Trying to get a cute picture of the two of them...
...still trying
10 shots later, this was the best I got. Ugh
Maxwell enjoyed finding each of the signs for the 12 Days and listening to the song.
I was amazed there were still roses in the rose garden. They must have to cover so many plants at night!
Afterward, we went to Torchy's Tacos for some yummy food and to try and warm up.
Pajama time with the hats Nana brought them.
We got Dad and Marriann to play some card games with us and loosen up a little
We had so much fun tubing yesterday that we talked Tammy, Nathan, and Maryn to go tubing/sledding with us early this morning. (Plus, after all that hassle to get all the snow clothes, we had to put them to use again!)
Emmalyn all bundled back up again. She wasn't too happy about it again.
Max and Maryn were very excited! We went to a big hill just a couple minutes away from their house. It was basically a big field, so there was only frozen dirt underneath the snow/ice to "cushion" you.
The adults had no problem getting into the fun too. (Although we tended to like the inflated tube rather than the plastic sled!) I went a few times but I'll be honest, it made me quite nervous. I was so scared each time I got to the bottom that I would bounce off with every bump and break something. (that rush isn't as appealing at it was 20 years ago)
Max took about 2 minutes to get over his initial fear of this big hill and then was ALL about it. He went down by himself a few times and went with everyone else but by far, his favorite was to go with Uncle Nathan. They were a good partnership.
Emmalyn all positioned to go down (from halfway up)
Video - Emmalyn and Maryn going down together. Emmalyn was not enjoying it.
Aunt Tammy racing Mawell and Uncle Nathan
Emmalyn playing a little bit with the snow. She didn't want to participate much after a few runs down the hill.
We made her go down with daddy though. :)
Partners! Nathan was so great to keep going with Maxwell... over and over... and over and over... I can only imagine how bruised his tailbone was that night!
Maryn, Maxwell, Nathan, and Tammy
Maxwell had to basically crawl up the hill on all fours to avoid slipping back down.
Nearly there...
...Made it!
Video - Maxwell going down all by himself and wiping out at the end. (You know, that moment when, as a parent, your mind flashes through all the possible injuries that could have just happened and you almost hold your breath as you run to your child to see if they are okay...) Luckily he wasn't too hurt and quickly recovered.
He would have kept going for hours and was really upset when we had to wrap it up and keep going with our plans for the day.
We stopped at the store and picked up stuff to make lunch at Sharee's house for everyone. Not everyone was home at her house but Maxwell had a really fun time hanging out with Quaid. Emmalyn fell asleep in the car on the way here so Peter stayed in the car with her while she slept. (He's such a trooper and played nap chaperone in the car multiple times during this trip.)
Emmalyn snuggling with Aunt Sharee
We really enjoying visiting with Paris, Willow, and Sharee. It stinks that we live so far apart.
After we left Sharee's, the family was hungry (sort of) so we stopped at Cafe Rio for one more visit. Plus we ran around returning the snow gear to my high school friends (so grateful for their generosity given that we haven't seen each other for 10+ years). After that we went to Katherine's to see Nana and Katherine's girls - Ari and Adi.
Adi, Emmalyn, and Ari. They were both sweet and loved to mother her.
Maxwell and his favorite One-Eyed Jack Nelson!
I was impressed with Maxwell's coloring job on this. He usually just scribbles all over the place (because he doesn't care to color and would rather just get it over with) but he did a nice job with this one with staying close to in the lines.
He was wiped out and fell asleep in the car on the was to Alex's which worked out and I stayed in the car this time with the kids while Peter went in to pick up the pizza's for our New Year's Eve party at Alex's.
Fun with Aunt Aja!
And now fun with Aunt Tawny!
Mr. Grumpy Pants
And now fun with Uncle Alex! (see the pattern here? she's very popular) :)
Tackle uncle Alex!
Outside to watch the fireworks (it's now legal to shoot fireworks in the air in Utah which was NEVER allowed when I was growing up!) Maxwell loved the fireworks, which isn't normal for him.
I then took the kids home to go to bed and left Peter there to hang out with his family.
I put Emmalyn to bed while Maxwell played a little more with Maryn, Uncle Nathan and Aunt Tammy. They played glow in the dark bowling with these pins (water bottles with glow sticks)
When midnight came (and both kids were in bed), we did a confetti cannon
Wife, Mom, and Career Woman. Trying to succeed at all three. Enjoy cruising, time with friends and family, and sleeping. Busy life doesn't leave time for as much fun as in the past but that's okay, it's still a good life.
