Visiting with family

Hubbell and Jeff weren't in the Midwest very long, so we met them for lunch half way between Cincinnati, where Hubbell is originally from, and Martinsville. Avonlea Jane was so excited to see them, and we were pleased to introduce them to Will. This visit to Indiana was the first time all of our extended family got the opportunity to meet Will.

The next day, both kids got solo time with their grandparents. David spent the evening socializing with come college friends, and I took Avonlea Jane to spend the night by herself with Grandma and Grandpa. While we were gone to their house, Will spent the evening with Granny and Granpy. By the time I got back to the house, he had been fed dinner, bathed, dressed for bed, and put to sleep.

On Tuesday, we spent the evening with both sets of grandparents for dinner, game playing, and what has become a tradition of singing Christmas carols together.

Will was excited by all of the singing.

Thank goodness Granny and Granpy recently got hardwood in the family room--just in time for Christmas cookies.

Avonlea Jane is thrilled with the idea of kids' books on Mommy's new Nook.

Being matchy-matchy with Great-Grandpa

On Wednesday, we joined our dear friends, the V Family, with their four boys for dinner at McDonald's, where the kids could exhaust themselves in the play area before we went to their house to visit. Avonlea Jane and Felix, who were born two days apart, didn't eat a lot of their food, because they were too busy holding hands.

Avonlea Jane loved playing the tunnels with the bigger kids. She was enamored of our godson, Xander, and enjoyed following Katie, Jen's little sister, around.

Outside, we happy to see some new Martinsville-themed murals.

We were glad to get to meet Milo, Tom and Jen's youngest, who was born shortly after Will.

Jen took some wonderful photos of the kids, but messy-faced Avonlea Jane was reluctant to be photographed.

Milo and Will

Will was more than happy to photographed.

Avonlea Jane, Dominic, Will, Xander, Milo, and Felix

Avonlea Jane said, "I really like those boys. They're kind of like my cousins."

Christmas Day

Christmas morning at Granny and Granpy's

Playing with a ball from his stocking at Grandma and Grandpa's

Checking out a suitcase full of dress-up wear

A palm tree: Daddy modeling Avonlea Jane's new tutu

Personalized scrubs for Dr. R

Someone's needed for a consult.

Our sick girl was tired and fell asleep during dinner.

Making faces with Great-Grandpa

We got Chinese fire lantern for Avonlea Jane's birthday but waited to light them until Christmas.

They reached a pretty impressive height before floating out of our range of sight. We couldn't imagine what other people outside must have thought they were.

Christmas Eve in Indiana

Our drive from Salem to Massachusetts was uneventful, other than the number of stops we had to make. We had eight stops on Day 1 due to the frequent cry of "Mommy, I have to go potty!" When we finally got to the hotel, the kids were pooped.

We got into Martinsville on the evening of December 23, and David and I spent the next morning and afternoon wrapping all of our presents while the kids spent time with Granny and Granpy painting and playing at the playground.

Once everything was wrapped, we headed to Mawmaw's house for Christmas Eve.

Will spending time with family friend Brenda

Opening presents

Avonlea Jane shows Will his new piggy bank.

Helping Uncle Dillon open a package

Checking out Uncle Nick's presents

After we had dinner and opened all of our presents, the kids got into their matching Christmas pajamas and we took turns reading The Night Before Christmas, our last Advent activity for the year.

Cousin B.b. takes a turn

Shortly after reading the story, Avonlea Jane wasn't feeling well and asked to go to sleep. Will, however, was wide awake the rest of the night.

Enjoying time with Mawmaw while the family plays games