We got to spend the whole week together as a family! After Christmas my parents took us on a trip to St. Louis. (The rest of the family went on a cruise, but me being so pregnant, was not allowed to go!). We took the train there, as part of the fun. Our whole trip was planned around fun things for the kids to do.
The train ride was really fun. The kids kept busy with all the activities we had packed for them. Greg took the kids on MANY walks from the front of the train, to the back, and then to our seats! The kids really liked walking between the cars. It was about a 5 hour ride, but everyone stayed entertained and happy. The girls loved changing up the seating arrangements every so often!
Our hotel room was awesome, with a door that connected to gma and gpas room. The kids had a blast running back and forth to both rooms. Our view of the arch from our room was beautiful. And the two best parts overall- the swimming pool (which we were in multiple times!), and the yummy breakfasts in the morning!
We went up in the Arch. The girls didnt really think it was that cool. They dont want to ever go again because it was "boring". They did like looking out the windows at the top though. We crammed all 7 of us in one of the tiny elevators. You really have to like the people that you go with because you are right next to them the whole time :)
The highlight of the trip for the kids was we went to a place called The Magic House one day. It was the funnest place for kids ever. They had so many fun activities. The kids got to climb up a beanstalk, slide down a 3 story slide, be inside a bubble, go through a maze of mirrors, play in some sand, play in a water room, run a restaurant, playing in a hospital nursery, be librarians, and sooo much more. We spent a whole day there, including having a "picnic" lunch at the restaurant there, and we only covered about half of the rooms that they had! If we lived closer, we would have to become members and go there ALL the time!
We also went to the old train station in St. Louis. The kids favorite parts of that were; Brylie got to jump really high on a trampoline (Kaden had thrown up the night before, so we didnt let her do it!), we got to watch how fudge was made, and get free samples, the kids rode on a few rides there, and they got to throw pennies in the wishing pond. Kaden said it was the best day ever because she got to have ice cream for lunch (She had been sick and thats all that sounded good to her....and hey we were on vacation!)
Our trip home was fun as well. Grandpa brought his DVD player and watched a movie, when the kids saw that, they had to use it next and watch a movie. Greg and the three kids were watching a movie, and they had 3 kids standing up behind them watching with them! It was so cute. Greg always makes friends with every little kid that he is around. I took a picture, but it didnt turn out so great.
Overall, it was a great trip! Next time we are going to Disneyland for sure though! We talked about that, but I didnt think I could carry my fatness around all day!
Thanks Grandma and Grandpa, We had a blast and we loved it!!
Gregs parents also got to come for a visit over Christmas vacation. It was really great to get to hang out with them, since I havent even been around them much. They stayed at our house with us and we got lots of quality family time in. They really loved getting to hang out with their grandson, Jaren and they treated the girls just like they were theirs as well. Jaren instantly started calling them, "Grama" and "Cram-pa". It was like he never forgot them, even though he hadnt seen them in months. He was so excited! We had another Christmas with them. We played games together (and then played cards after the kids went to bed). We took Gma and Gpa to Chuck E. Cheese for their first time. They were really impressed and thought it was such a fun place for the kids.
We really enjoyed having Gregs parents here with us. They promised to come again after Ellie is born and stay for a while and help us out. They are very excited about the arrival of their 2nd granddaughter. They even brought Christmas presents for her :)
We couldnt have asked for a better Christmas break. We got to spend the time with everyone that we love. We know that is the true meaning of the season, and count our many blessings every day.
