We have wrapped up our annual 2014 Tour of the State this Christmas, with celebrations in Kansas City, Manhattan, Wichita, and Manhattan again. We hope that you had a very Merry Christmas!
Christmas in Kansas City
We hit the road on Tuesday, after both Will and I had submitted final grades for our classes. Neither of our kids wanted to be in the picture, so this is documentation only of us.
We first went to Grammie and Gramps' house to celebrate, and started off with a rousing game of Uno.
Next up: Decorating sugar cookies! Grammie made all kinds of cookies in fun shapes and various colors of frosting, and the grandkids could all go to town.
The finished products.
The cousins! Annika, Abby, and Christina are all enjoying a Sprite, while Daniel is the lone chocolate milk enthusiast.
Opening presents from Grammie and Gramps!
Annika's favorite gift - a cat chess set. She loved it and immediately recruited Will to play with her.
Daniel's was super excited for this giant Star Wars kit. Thanks, Grammie and Gramps!!
That night, we stayed in DeSoto with Nonnie and Pa. The guest room has been completely revamped to have a whole Royals theme!
Wednesday morning, Annika enjoyed her new fabric markers and shirt from Nonnie and Pa, and designed and created a Hogwarts shirt (of Harry Potter fame) all by herself.
Our family opted to head to our old church in Kansas City, the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, for their 1 p.m. Candlelight Christmas Eve service since we would still be out of town for Christmas Eve service at our own church in Manhattan. Amazing sermon and beautiful candlelight.
That evening, we had Christmas Eve at Nonnie and Pa's in DeSoto. Annika enjoyed the margarita glasses, but with water.
Headbands! Nonnie had colorful headbands commissioned and made for all of the females. Thanks, Nonnie!
We headed back over to Grammie and Gramps' house in Olathe before leaving town, where we got to see more relatives and enjoy the girls' rendition of Silent Night.
Christmas in Manhattan
We drove back to Manhattan late Wednesday night so that we would still be able to wake up and have Christmas morning in our own house. Will was awesome and had wrapped all of the presents before we left town.
Last year, we instituted a new tradition of wearing matching dragon pajamas on Christmas morning. We did not have time to get new tops made, so enjoyed wearing last year's shirts (Annika could not find her shirt and served as our photographer).
Daniel's big present - The Lego Star Wars Star Destroyer! That boy is a Lego fiend.
Annika's big present - an art set, complete with easel!
The kids were also excited to finish opening the rest of their Advent calendar and to see the completed Lego City.
Christmas in Wichita
After opening presents in Manhattan, we drove down to Wichita to have Christmas with my family. Our first big stop was going to my Aunt Elaine and Uncle Warren's house in Derby to have Christmas with the whole Rock clan. Julie and Charlie came down as well. Here is the official 2014 Stilson Clan photo.
The Hagemans.
Cousin Jeremy gave sweet presents to all of us, including this chemistry set for Daniel. Daniel's first question upon opening it - "How far away do I need to be from the explosions??"
That evening, we headed back to my parents' house and the kids worked on puzzles. They completed this whole puzzle, but alas, two of its pieces appear to be missing.
On Friday morning (aka Boxing Day), the kids and cousin Greg all opened presents together. Thanks so much for everything, Grandma and Grandpa!
Daniel loved all of the awesome Lego sets from Grandpa and Grandma, and was especially excited by this authentic Harry Potter Wand from Aunt Julie and Uncle Charlie. Thank you!!
Annika's favorite present of all of Christmas was this giant Ninjago Lego set. She has already finished putting it together since I think that is all she has done since opening it.
That morning, I headed over to see dear high school friends Jennifer and Ashley, and their sweet kids. I was especially excited to meet Baby Maddy, Ashley and Matt's sweet new daughter.
The girls! Ashley and Jennifer are sisters and it is crazy to think that we have all been great friends for over 20 years.
Getting my baby snuggles on with Baby Maddy.
The whole gang! So great to see everyone.
That afternoon, we headed to the Exploration Place science museum to meet up with more high school friends. Annika and Will had fun designing and building this super high tower.
Hard hat girls - me, Denise, and Charity. We first met in pre-IB science class on the first day of 9th grade and have been great friends ever since.
Rich with Teddy, Charity's sweet little boy.
Selfie!
Denise is awesome about getting family pictures in and took pictures of the various families. The four of us!
The Sandstroms.
The whole gang - Serious and Silly. So wonderful to see everyone!
Christmas in Manhattan, Part II
This morning, we headed over to our dear friend Abby's house to have breakfast with her and Emma, and to meet Abby's family, who are in town for the holidays. Annika and Emma were happy to pose.
At the fancy kids' table.
Us with Abby's family! Thanks so much for everything, Abby.
We are back home today and tomorrow before hitting the road Monday morning for a family trip to the YMCA camp at Estes Park. Hoping to do lots of cleaning and organizing in that time, but we shall see. We hope that you and your families all had a wonderful Christmas season!
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