Christmas in Texas...yes, still going...with Jenn's family from Austin!

Our fourth and final Christmas celebration was spent with my Mom, Stepdad Steve, Grammy, Erica, Simon and Willa. Since we muscled through a drive from Chicago to Dallas, my family was gracious enough to drive to Dallas to spend a day with us and celebrate there. The last time Erica's kids, Simon and Willa, saw Naida, she was 12 months old and had just learned to walk. We all met at Grandpa and Mimi's and when the cousins saw each other, it took Simon and Willa a couple of seconds to realize this was the same Naida...now fully decked with faster wheels and a full vocabulary!
Willa is now almost 6, and sheand Naida played and played and played. Yet again, this only saddens my heart to think of the times all these cousins are missing out on due to the fact that we're too damn far away from each other.

Sabine was super pumped for another Christmas celebration!
Wait, is that you Mom? I thought I was tugging on your lip, oh, no, that's my Aunt Erica who just looks a lot like you!


After Christmas extravaganza #4, Naida said 'Mommy, I think Willa should sleep in my room tonight'. This girl doesn't even know what a sleepover is yet and my heart just melted to know that she and Willa wanted some more time together. Grandpa and Mimi were so sweet to let Erica, Simon and Willa sleep over that night so the kids could enjoy each other for just a little while longer. Before dinner, we took them all to Kid Country and then to Tappy's Yogurt. I don't know why Chicago is behind on this new trend, but if anyone in this area is listening, please build a frozen yogurt bar here ASAP! I am kicking myself for not taking any pictures of the park, yogurt, dinner, the sleepover, or donuts in the morning from Grandpa! Regardless, they all had a wonderful time together and I hope we do it again without a 2 year gap like this time!

Thanks so much Mom and family for driving to and from Dallas in a day to spend Christmas with us. You are my everything and I love you so much. Can't wait to see you in February on my next visit to the office!!!