Our First Christmas with Ayana!

We went to Kansas City for Christmas. Before we moved to Dallas, we lived in KC and a lot of my family and Rick's family live there. The car ride there is about 9 hours. This would be our first long road trip with Ayana. Savvy and I hate car rides because we get car sick easy but we were ready for the haul and excited to see the fam. We get about half way there and stopped for gas and then we couldn't get the car to start back up again. The battery was dead. It was COLD too! A nice man helped us and thankfully we were at a gas station on not on the highway! *WARNING* do not read if you have a weak stomach...So we get on the road again and about another hour into the drive, Savannah starts yelling, EWHH, Ewwhhh!
I looked back and poor Ayana was throwing up everywhere! So I flew into mommy mode and made sure she wasn't choking. Rick pulls over to help. It was everywhere, on the carseat, her whole body, her hair and well you get the picture. Anyway, we get everything cleaned up the best we can on the side of the highway and change her clothes. After it was over, Savvy and I thought we were going to lose our cookies too but luckily we didn't.

We finally made it and it as it started to sleet and snow. We stayed with my Mom and Step-dad's. I spent many years in that house so it was weird that this will be our last Christmas in that house. My parents are selling it because they are going to be full time missionaries and hope to leave for Africa in February.

My mom always cooks great food and takes such good care of us. Thanks MOM and Dave! I wish I had gotten some pictures with them. Bummer!

This was our first Christmas with A. Ayana spent her first Christmas in an orphanage in Addis so it was so special to have her with us for this Christmas, our first one as a new family. Because she is only 19 months, she wasn't really that excited for presents but her favorite part was playing with all her cousins. We have a lot of young kids in the family and you would think she was in heaven with all the loud, hyper kids and so many toys. She learned so many new words that week and learned to be more vocal while around the other kids. Yes, That was a nice way of saying that she has learned to scream loud and she thinks it's so funny!

We also got to spend time with Rick kids. I just LOVE them! We always have so much fun. For the new blog readers, Rick has two grown children from his previous marriage. They were there with their families at mom's too. We love to play a friendly game Texas Hold em' when we get together. Who are we kidding, it's not always friendly, we are a competitive family. It can be brutal but always FUN!

Here are some additional pic's....

The whole clan...

She makes this face every time she sees a camera. LOL!

I love this one...My girls!

I also got to see my best buddies from High School. We used to be inseparable. We have been lucky enough to stay in touch through the years. It was great to see them!




I want to wish everyone a Blessed New Year! Thank you for all your friendships!