While We Were Away

The kids sure did play!!!! My big kids had the best time with each set of grandparents. They filled their 2 weeks with lots and lots of fun activities.

EK had pajama day at school.  She also got to stay in the afternoons for After School Care with mom.  She said she really liked everything except  the nap part.

EK's dance class had a Christmas party. I'm not sure if you can see them, but check out those classy fake fingernails she is sporting in the picture below.  Be jealous.

Walker went to the MSU game with the Sykes family one night where he found Santa. For a kid that freaked out just a couple of weeks ago when it was picture time, he sure seems quite cozy now. 

My mom's whole family was in town for Papaw's funeral, so they all got to visit at the hotel for a bit. Ella Kate was soaking up all the undivided attention no doubt. 

Speaking of attention....Walker enjoyed all that he got too.

Jordan and Ross gave the kids this awesome climbing dome for our backyard.  We can't wait for the weather to dry up and warm up so we can get some play time in on our new toy.  

EK did some crafting.

Walker did some mowing.

Haley and Robert took EK to see a lights display. She loved it!

We got to FaceTime with EK each day but felt like it would be too hard for Walker to see us.  It was awesome for EK and Emma to see each other and my heart melted a little each time Emma would smile at her big sister. 

It was great to get pictures from school too.  EK's class had an elf that left them kindness challenges each day. On this day, they made something for the mailman. So sweet.

Walker got to visit with lots of Columbus friends and loved every minute of it. 

Before we got home on Christmas Eve, EK went to FBCJ with my parents. After church, the whole welcoming crew went to Waffle House and then sprinkled reindeer food in our yard.

Our crew decorated our house to welcome Emma home. It was perfect! 

After Walker made it back to Jackson, J's grandmother became very ill. She is in the hospital now waiting to go home to Jesus. She is 95 and has had such a full life, but it doesn't make things any easier. Please say a prayer for Ms Mary Anna and the rest of the family during this difficult time. I just love this picture of Walker and Meemaw. He loved going to visit her at Trinity and helping to take care of her.

As for life around our house these days...all 5 of us are on antibiotics right now, so hopefully the sickness will clear up in all of us and we will get back on track. Emma is doing well. Jet lag has been a booger but I'm thankful that she seems comfortable and happy in our house. She is warming up to the kids beautifully and every day she gets more and more relaxed with them. Currently all 3 of my kids have been in their beds asleep for an hour (can I get an amen?), so I am not far behind them. I still have more to blog about including our Christmas Day in Madison, but it will have to wait until tomorrow. Sleep calls!