We hope that you and your families had a very Merry Christmas! We have enjoyed celebrations in Kansas City, Manhattan, Wichita, and back to Manhattan again.
Christmas in Kansas City
We headed to Olathe to Will's parents' house on Wednesday, having submitted final grades and finished off the semester the day before. First order of business: Decorating all kinds of sugar cookies!
The kids also made these really cute ornaments that Peggy had.
Opening presents! Annika loves her Ender Dragon (from Minecraft) - thanks, Grammy and Gramps!
Stilts!
Awesome Lego set! Although Daniel claimed that what he was "most" excited about was getting to drink a Sprite. ;)
Thursday was Christmas Eve and we headed over to Will's other parents' house in DeSoto. Brenda gave us these absolutely wonderful Royals-themed gifts - and I then realized that I inadvertently did not put a picture of Brenda into the photo book that we made!! YIKES!
The kids were very excited by Christmas money, and have already spent it on a Lego set (Daniel) and Doctor Who memorabilia (Annika).
Brenda/Nonnie!!! So sorry about the photo book!!
Another tradition we have on Christmas Eve is to head to the 1:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service at our old church in KC, Church of the Resurrection. So happy that Brenda could come with us.
The service was on the Magi and I really learned a lot, as always.
But my absolute favorite moment of the season was the passing of candlelight while singing "Silent Night." So beautiful.
Later that afternoon was a family get-together at Nonnie and Pa's house, complete with margaritas!
Part of the whole gang.
Brenda/Nonnie had scarves made for all of the ladies that matched our headbands from last year!
Later that evening, we headed back over to Grammy and Gramps' house (Dick and Peggy's) for more Christmas Eve fun with Peggy's family. Merry Christmas!!!
Christmas in Manhattan
We drove back late Christmas Eve night so that we could have Christmas morning in our house with the kids. We didn't look at lights this night, but did a few days ago - here are some of our favorites in town:
Will and I wrapped gifts until after midnight on Christmas Eve night. Someday, we will do it ahead of time. Someday...
Christmas Morning excitement!!
Not all of the dragon shirts fit this year, so we went with a Royals theme.
Annika's favorite gift of the morning - the new Warriors book! She has already devoured it and has of course read several other books, too.
Daniel was thrilled with his new KU hoodie. Oh well, it's still in-state tuition.... ;)
And oh yes, The Crazy Cat Lady Game. This had Annika's name all over it. We played it later in the day.
Another favorite - Minecraft for the computer!! Daniel may be taking over Will's laptop now.
We realized that we had no food in the house, so following A Christmas Story, went to eat at the Chinese buffet in town. Of course, the kids actually ate "American" food, but whatever.
We drove to my Aunt Elaine's and Uncle Warren's house in Derby for a wonderful afternoon get-together with my family. I wish I had taken more pictures here, but we were too busy having fun. The kids enjoyed playing pool.
The greater Stilson Family Clan!!
Daniel also ended up with a stuffed Ender Dragon for Christmas, so the kids used it to hide their faces.
That night at my parents' house in Wichita, we played with another of Annika's new games - the Game of Life!
The next morning, we had a yummy "fancy breakfast" and then opened presents. Daniel's favorite was a digital watch. Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa!!
Annika was super excited for the "adult" coloring book and fancy colored pencils from Aunt Julie and Uncle Charlie. Thank you!
Greg with one of his puzzles. We might have gone overboard in all of the puzzles we got him...
That afternoon, we met up at Exploration Place with my dear high school friends, Charity and Denise. Charity's daughter, Kathrina, and Annika picked it right back up where they left off last Christmas.
The girls! Thanks to my Mom for the picture - and for coming with us!
The Sandstroms.
The Hagemans.
The adults.
The whole gang!
Oh, and our classic Pink Hard Hat edition.
Christmas in Manhattan, again
Will and I taught Sunday School this morning for 1st through 12th graders....only we didn't, because our kids were the only ones there for Sunday School! There were no pre-schoolers, either. Children's church (during the service) did have a couple of kids.
Annika acolyting.
Out to eat at McAlister's after church, in our semi-matching sweaters.
Our 40-minute period this afternoon when all four of us read new books. It was quiet and oh so lovely.
Tonight is our last night in Manhattan for the week, because we are headed to...St. Louis!! It should be a great family vacation.
Merry Christmas, everyone!!
