The girls and I took an extended trip home again for Christmas this year.
My father in-law Stan picked us up and sister in-law Anna let us borrow her car.
My sister Crystal even drove to pick up Graham late at night a week later.
So thankful for such a loving, supportive, and helpful family.
I'm not sure how I would've done it alone renting a car or something.
It was soooooo cold that first day.
Minnesota friends, it was that -30 weekend.
How would I have gotten our two huge suitcases, stroller, two car seats, and the girls to the car rental place.....?
Thank goodness for family.
There are so many factors when coming home these days.
How are we going to get from point A to point B?
What can I borrow when I get there?
Car? Car seats? Baby gear? Toddler gear?
I left all of our winter gear in storage at my in-laws in Minneapolis this trip for next year.
Of course then "snowmageddon" happened in ATL a week after we came back.
One week later it was 70 degrees.
Elodie didn't think it was enough snow to play in anyway.
Back to Minnesota.
We ended up heading to the doctors office a couple of times.
Once for me and once for Iris.
Thankfully nothing serious.
We headed down to the farm earlier than expected to avoid sickness and inclement weather.
We were "snowed" in at the farm with my mom for the first few days.
Elodie got a bit stir crazy but had fun when she got to play in the snow after it warmed up a bit.
My mom had a food menu prepared for the entire week we were staying with them.
It definitely kept it stress free.
It is hard to be out of your own environment and routine with kids but it is so nice to have help.
Elodie got to help my mom decorate the tree, she made Christmas cookies, my dad took her and Iris for a sled ride, built a snowman, built an igloo, went on the 4-wheeler, saw Christmas lights, had lots of play time with her cousin, went on a carousel, and got one more chat with Santa at the Mankato mall before Christmas.
Seeing Christmas through a three year olds eyes is simply the best.
She had so many serious questions about Santa.
I also downloaded a handy Santa app on my phone that made daily calls to Elodie to check on her behavior.
It was so funny to see her eyes light up when my phone started ringing "We wish you a merry Christmas".
Any time there was bad behavior Santa would call.
He would also call to praise good behavior.
Christmas day the whole family got together.
There were ten adults, three children, one dog and one cat.
Then later that afternoon we got together at my aunt Linda and Jeff's with a small portion of the Vollmer family.
When Santa (my brother) came to visit on Christmas morning Elodie was shaking with excitement.
She got her "Hatchimal" from Santa (my mom).
She had been asking my mom for one since she visited in October.
My mom called after her visit to Atlanta in a panic on speaker phone in my car saying that Hatchimals were sold out everywhere.
Elodie replied from the back seat "It's ok Grammy Santa will bring me one".
Thank goodnesss "Santa" could find one.
I enlisted a couple of my amazing mom friends to help track one down.
One of my friends found out the day a shipment was arriving at the Woodstock Target.
Who knew a three year old would want the "tickle me Elmo" of 2016??
A Hatchimal is a mix of two animals.
She got a bearakeet.
I was praying that our sleeping arrangement would go smoothly in Minnesota.
Elodie slept with my mom the first couple of nights and then slept with Graham or I the rest of the time.
For most of the trip Graham the girls and I all slept in the same room.
I never thought I would be able to get a baby and toddler to sleep in the same room but it worked.
Good practice for some upcoming trips where we will be in a hotel.
After Christmas we went to Minneapolis to celebrate with the McFall clan.
We had a delicious feast with our family.
The kids even got their own table this year.
I think it was 11 adults, six kids, three dogs and two large Christmas trees.
Just a quiet day with family! Lol!
The day was filled with laughter and lots of Christmas cheer.
The McFall mansion is always full of the hustle bustle of kids, dogs, chaos, and lots of love.
I'm used to a big family and I love it.
It it seriously a dream come true to marry into a family that I love as much as I love my own.
The girls transitioned just fine to their new environment.
They got so much love and attention.
Elodie just adores her cousins and all the play time definitely wore her out.
Graham and I got to have a sibling date night out with Teegan, JB, Anna and Jeff.
Elodie got lots of playtime with Daniela and Granny.
Iris got lots of snuggle time with Granny.
Between Babbi, Grandpere, Anna, and Granny Iris was loved non-stop.
Graham took the girls and I on a tour of our favorite places in Minneapolis.
We got fried pickles at Pat's Tap and got a delicious taste and exclusive tour of the Surly brewery.
Tia Anna and Grandpere took the kids for a fun filled day at the Mall of America.
We enjoyed an unforgettable kid friendly NYE bash.
The boys all got to enjoy a football game at the new stadium.
We also got to be there to celebrate Grandpere's birthday the night before we left.
The trip was long but it is always so hard to leave the family and city we call home.
Graham the girls and I have a lovely home and amazing friends here in Georgia but Minneapolis will always be our home.
Our family and friends that are family are there.
Home is definitely where the heart is.
Our hearts are sad when we leave but we will definitely be back someday.
