Christmas

Ok, so I know it's been a long time since I've updated! So, I thought the beginning of the New Year was a good time to write again.
We had a great Christmas in MN this year. Although we did drive up there the Saturday before during the very large snowstorm. What would normally take up about 7 hours took us 10 hours! We were so relieved to get there. Ella's Christmas celebration started the night before we left, she had to open her art easel since it was too big to bring with.

Ella opening her art easel

Once we got to MN the craziness began. When all the grandkids come over it gets quite crazy at my parents house. There are five grandkids, all under 5!! Ella loves spending time at grandma and grandpa's house though and with Kaia (her cousin and best friend). Her are just some pictures of the girls having fun.

Ella and Kaia reading Dr. Suess

Clinking their cups

Reading with Papa
Best FriendsSuper Kaia, Super Ella!!!

Of course Christmas was fun too. Sara took her kids home for the night to return in the morning to open more presents. So, we had Ella and Kaia to get to bed and ready for Santa to come. They even left cookies and carrots out for Santa and his reindeer.
In the morning Ella was excited to go see what Santa left. When she saw her stocking she pulled out the little bear and candy cane that were hanging out and she was ready to go. She was so funny and didn't care that there was more stuff in it or the fact that there was a large present sitting right behind her stocking. We finally got here to open all the stocking presents and her new kitchen that Santa brought.

Ella trying on her new big girl underwear

Her new kitchen (notice the underwear!)

Showing off her new jewelryAfter the rest of the family came over to mom and dad's the real present opening began! It gets quite crazy, a sort of free for all. We had to take a break and clean up paper in the middle of opening presents so we didn't loose anything or anyone! We got all the kids to sit in front of the tree for just a minute.
All the grandkids, Harley, Ella, Amelia, Kaia and Joseph

Helping daddy with some presents

Playing her new guitar

We finally got all the presents open and the kids were playing and having a good time. Mom made a great meal and we really enjoyed just spending time together. We also had a special blessing that day. My brother, Jason, was supposed to leave for Israel on Christmas morning, but we got a call about 10am and he needed my dad to come pick him up from the airport. His passport was expiring within six months so they wouldn't let him travel. He was really bummed and frustrated, but we got to spend Christmas with him and he was able to reschedule his trip. Then a few days later we heard the news about the air strikes on the Gaza strip and were very relieved that he is home and not there right now.
Ella and Marc even got some time to play out in the snow.