OUR MONTH IN NEBRASKA

On December 7th, we loaded up the 1989 Chevy Suburban and ventured out on the 17 hour trip to Nebraska... After running into some snow the next morning, we arrived into Kearney just in time for a homemade dinner made by our awesome grandma!  John was able to go to church with us the following day but then had a flight back to Boise where he worked until Dec. 21st and then flew back out for Christmas.
Here's our special month of memories with Grandma and Grandpa Carlson (and everyone else!!) in photos!

WE MADE COOKIES TOGETHER

AND MORE COOKIES (THIS TIME FOR US TO EAT!)

Aubrie, Lexi and Mom went down to Lincoln (to take photos of a few Dancers to make up some sample products for Motions Dance Academy) and got snowed in! We made the best of it and enjoyed the snow with our cousins!  The 2nd night, we stayed with JR and Lori and were finally able to make it back home just in time to pick up dad from the airport in Kearney!

CHRISTMAS EVE FINALLY ARRIVES!  Kathryn got mom such an awesome gift (a "new" 1970's Betty Crocker Cookbook and a super cute apron!) Mom was so excited when she opened them that I HAD to get it on film!

 and then it was time for the CHRISTMAS DINNER!!

AND THEN OF COURSE WE HAD OUR FAMILY HOME EVENING ABOUT THE BIRTH OF CHRIST AND THE SYMBOLS OF CHRISTMAS... FOLLOWED BY ALL OF THE GRANDKIDS OPENING THEIR NEW PJ'S FROM GRANDMA AND GRANDPA :)

 IT SEEMS AS THOUGH EVERYONE WAS GOOD AS GOLD BY THE AMOUNT OF PRESENTS THAT WERE IN THE LIVING ROOM!!

 

3 DAYS AFTER CHRISTMAS WAS OUR 18TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

Grandma and the kids decorated Ginger Bread Houses while we went out. Then we met up with Grandma & Grandpa and Aunt Kat for dinner at Skeeter Barns BBQ!  We then went back home and snuggled up with all of the kids and watched the new Disney movie - BRAVE.

NEW YEARS EVE WAS ESPECIALLY BUSY!!

Not only was it August's 16th Birthday!!

But we also were renovating the kitchen!  Everything was out of place and a bit chaotic with 23 people in the house going every which direction!   But the end result turned out BEAUTIFUL!

and then of course the celebrating of the NEW YEAR!

 and then sadly, our fun was over... it was time to load everything back in the Suburban and head home - BUT... not without coming home with a wonderful blessing!  Grandpa Joe's 1979 Chevy Truck!!  It was such a wonderful blessing and gift of love for grandpa to entrust it in our care!  Dad has been so excited to drive it!  We weren't sure how it would do driving all the way back to Idaho but she was a champ and we made it without any problems!  We didn't dare drive it faster than about 70mph and so it took us closer to 20 hours to get back home.  Here are a few pictures of the family before we took off....  I sure do miss everyone!!! and it was such a wonderful month filled with love and laughs and family!