Watching Our Children Grown: Christmas in Kansas

We started Christmas early this year as we let Samantha open the gifts we got her before we left for Kansas. At first she tore a piece and handed it to her dad but by the end she was just tearing it all off. I think overall she enjoyed her gifts. We don't get her much because we know that she will get gifts from other people and it will all add up!

The 19th was our day to leave on our vacation. We got on the road at 5:00 p.m. and 15 hours later arrived in Kansas just before Grandma Linda and Grandpa Willy left for work. Dad hadn't slept so we put him to bed and Samantha and I played. We were able to meet Grandma Linda for lunch and it was the first round for Samantha to meet new people.

Kansas had some leftover snow from a big snowstorm and while we were there got another inch or snow. Samantha wouldn't touch it but kept on saying "snow" everywhere we went. She did love wearing her boots though and got lots of compliments on them.

It was a nice relaxing vacation. We were able see quite a few relatives and spend quality time with the grandparents. Of course, now she is totally spoiled as we would expect from a visit like that and we are having to de-program her as her dad calls it.

The trip back went as well, if not better than the trip there. We again made it in 15 hours and the weather was pretty good. We are so thankful for God's traveling mercies!

Samantha met so many people that by the end she wouldn't say a word. The first day she was shy but would at least say "bye-bye". By the last day she just looked shy and often look away when Grandma Linda tried to show her off.

We came back into a busy time as we are moving this week into the house we built. We knew it was going to be this way and were prepared as possible. Samantha isn't thrilled that we keep on trying to put things on boxes but I'm hoping she'll adjust quickly as soon as we get into the house.

A big thank-you to Grandma Linda and Grandpa Willy for a great time. I think we wore Grandpa Linda out and Grandpa Willy was ready for his once quiet house by the time we left. We look forward to their visit when our baby boy is born.

I have to mention that Samantha is seriously working on more teeth. All of a sudden there are aboug 5-6 that are working on coming in. They include another bottom "front" tooth and her bottom molars.

On a baby note...I failed my glucose test before we left so I had to take the 3 hour test again (I had to do this with Samantha also). I got a call the Tuesday before we left saying that I passed my 3 hour test with flying colors which means I don't have gestational diabetes-Yippeeee!

She opened gifts from us before we left. Her she is with them...