We were unable to travel to Michigan this year for Christmas, due to my being massively pregnant. We've been spoiled these past 5 years having the student/academic schedule that affords three weeks off around Christmas. Even with family in two different states, we have always been able to see both sides of the family each year. Looking ahead to residency, we realize this pattern is not likely to continue - at least, not for the next few years. Thankfully, even though we were not able to travel to Michigan, Bibi and Babu brought a bit of Michigan to us!
We arrived home from McGregor on Sunday after Christmas and had about 30 minutes to unload the car and begin unpacking before Bibi, Babu and Uncle Caleb arrived from Michigan. Perfect timing! I think they were feeling sad about our lack of Christmas tree (since we've always had three weeks off around Christmas - and are, therefore never home at Christmas - we have never had a Christmas tree in our seven years of marriage....except the one-foot tree my mom mailed us our first Christmas in Hungary :), and they made quick work setting up our Christmas tree, complete with a pile of gifts underneath, ready to be opened the next morning. Jonah is becoming a pro at decorating the tree and had fun turning the lights on and off, as well as placing the ornaments.
After breakfast on "Christmas morning", it was time to open presents. Jonah has quickly learned what "open presents" means - and he is a big fan! I'm not even sure it's about getting more "stuff" - I think he just likes to tear open the paper and see what's inside.
The rest of their visit was pretty low key. Uncle Caleb got Jonah a sled for Christmas, but the weather was pretty chilly Monday for sledding (*well...we thought it was cold, but that we before we lived through the Polar Vortex - now THAT was cold!!), but it warmed up enough New Year's Eve Day to take it out for a spin. We bundled Jonah up, and Brandon, Uncle Caleb and Babu dragged him to the park in his sled to try it out. All were rosy-cheeked when they returned, but they reported Jonah had a great time. This Iowa boy loves snow!
We arrived home from McGregor on Sunday after Christmas and had about 30 minutes to unload the car and begin unpacking before Bibi, Babu and Uncle Caleb arrived from Michigan. Perfect timing! I think they were feeling sad about our lack of Christmas tree (since we've always had three weeks off around Christmas - and are, therefore never home at Christmas - we have never had a Christmas tree in our seven years of marriage....except the one-foot tree my mom mailed us our first Christmas in Hungary :), and they made quick work setting up our Christmas tree, complete with a pile of gifts underneath, ready to be opened the next morning. Jonah is becoming a pro at decorating the tree and had fun turning the lights on and off, as well as placing the ornaments.
After breakfast on "Christmas morning", it was time to open presents. Jonah has quickly learned what "open presents" means - and he is a big fan! I'm not even sure it's about getting more "stuff" - I think he just likes to tear open the paper and see what's inside.
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| Stockings :) |
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| Jonah got his very own Pete the Cat!! |
Brandon has taken Jonah out a few more times since, and he just can't get enough of the snow and being outside. Between Brandon starting his LAST SEMESTER OF MED SCHOOL!!, the bitterly cold weather we've been having, and a terrible cough making the rounds in our home, poor Jonah has been stuck inside most of the week. Hopefully winter has a bit more snow left (I can't believe I'm saying that!!), and we can get outside again soon.
Our New Year's Eve consisted of a rousing game of Tri-Bond which ended around 9:30, after which the Michiganders retired to their hotel, and Brandon and I fell straight into bed. Ha! My, how times have changed. I really wouldn't have it any other way, though. Our visitors stopped by in the morning for some breakfast before they had to hit the road. A constant shower of snow ushered them out of Iowa and greeted them again when they crossed into Michigan, making for a miserable ride home. But thankfully they made it safely home. (And the snow kept on coming...they were to start back to school January 6, but missed the first THREE days of school due to snow and cold!). We really appreciate the effort they made to drive out to Iowa...and it made it a little easier to say good-bye, knowing we'll see them again very SOON when they drive BACK to Iowa to meet our little girl, who should be making an appearance any day now :)
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