The holidays in review...

The Lairs enjoyed a wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year! We started off our trip with Catherine's wedding in Austin. We visited with family and friends and participated in Catherine and Alex's wedding weekend. Anna Kate was a big hit as the flower girl as she was carried down the aisle by her mom! She dropped the petals out of the basket at the appropriate time and made it to the end of the aisle quite happily. She got to play with many of her second cousins who are a bit older than she is and had an absolute blast. Once a cold front hit Austin, we decided to head north for the even chillier Amarillo. 

Our California bodies had not caught up to these frigid temperatures yet, so we burrowed inside for most of our days in West Texas. Anna Kate looked out the window as the snow fell and we decided we would introduce her to the feel of it next year and this year just watch it from the warmer side. We were all overwhelmed with gifts and had so much fun visiting with relatives and friends who we do not get to see often. On Christmas Day, we joined in with Jonathan's parents, sister and her fiance for three wild Christmas celebrations. A smaller immediate family gathering started it all off followed by lunch with the Lair family and dinner with the Ortega side. The number of people involved got progressively bigger as the day went on. We filled our tummies and our hearts with great food and fun memories.

Anna Kate found much fun in pushing her new train around the living room. She acted like it was her job! Three new Miss Pattycake DVDs kept her parents smiling all day long as she danced and laughed to the songs. After Christmas, Jonathan and I got to take a date night to see Marley & Me and meet some friends for dinner. It was fun to reconnect and share some time together while Anna was happy at home with her grandparents.

After a week and a half, our family boarded the plane to come home with our 4 bulging suitcases. I reminded everyone that I was the best packer ever, managing to fit all our presents and clothes in our bags with little room to spare. A not so full flight enabled Anna Kate to fly in her own seat for the first time. She loved having her very own seat belt and room to move around! A sad moment occurred though when she saw an across the aisle passenger open a bag of chips and expectantly did her sign for more. We had to gently explain that those snacks were not, in fact, for her. Disappointing to say the least! Some Goldfish and a bit of Daddy's apple managed to substitute.

Once we arrived home, we quickly unpacked and prepared for a New Year's Eve party at our house. After much coaxing from my husband, I managed to stay up until midnight but not much later. Since then, this gal has not seen anything past 10pm. Anna turned in early on New Year's Eve at 7:45pm. Maybe next year! We are all still adjusting from the central time zone to our two hours later home. What a fun trip! Sorry this is currently picture-less...I will add some as soon as I can track down the camera.