Friday, January 1, 2010

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!

13 comments:

Angela said...

Hey Abmer,

So Ayana has to car sick gene too. How coincendental! You look great and everyone looks like they had a ball.

Tracy said...

I know it wasnt funny at the time but these are the moments that memories are made of!
Happy New Year!

rachel said...

look at you and your girlfriends! whistle whistle!

so sorry about the battery and even more sorry about the vomiting. oh, that is rough! glad you made it.

how bittersweet it must have been to spend Christmas at your parents' house for the last time. where in Africa are they going? Dan's parents were missionaries, two of his sisters still are (in Asia, though). Dan knows missionaries all over Africa, maybe we would be able to give them some connections?

happy new year and many blessings to you!

Holly said...

Oh how I hate puking that occurs in the car. I mean as if it isn't bad enough at home in the bathroom.
UGH!
Bless you!!
Love the pictures of your girls...so beautiful!
I love how the Lord has grafted Africa into your hearts and the fabric of your family!!
Happy New Year!
Blessings,
Holly

Brenna said...

What a trip. So glad you had a great time with family! Your girlies are just beautiful. Happy New Year!

Colleen and JF Bertrand said...

Happy New Year! What a gorgeous family you have!!

Kat said...

Ok, so this actually brought tears to my eyes (vomit and all...lol). Ayana seems like she's always been a part of your family...I can't fathom that this is the first Christmas :). The pictures are beautiful as always!!!!

Paula said...

Ugh on the car puking! But sounds like you had a great Christmas... have a great 2010!

Autumn said...

You took some great pictures, Amber! It was so great to see you guys--Ayana is already getting so big! We love you guys and miss you!

Melanie said...

Ayana is getting so big and I love her pic smile!! So cute!

Happy New Year!
Melanie

Anonymous said...

I am so so glad that A took care of her throwing up on the way to KC, LOL! :) It was so fun to be together as a family again, we so cherish that time with you guys. The pictures all turned out great. I think I have a few more that I will email you this week. I am still just in awe of Savannah & Ayana after this trip, they are growing up so fast and are such beautiful girls! We miss you already, love you bunches! Give the clan hugs and kisses for us!

Special Delivery said...

Happy First Christmas! After a brutal car ride (poor girls), it looks like Ayana had a great day! Her "cheese" face is just too cute! And, her chubby, chocolate legs are to die for! (I think Addia is a bit jealous of the fact that Ayana doens't have to wear tights in the winter!) What a wonderful time with family! Both of your updates are great!

Leah said...

Looks like a wonderful Christmas. . . Besides the throwing up incident of course. Happy New Year to you and your family. :-D