Christmas!!! (part two)

Christmas Eve we were with Grant's parents. We ate a wonderful meal (thank you Nanny) and had time to relax. This was the first year that Emory understood what was about to happen which was fun to see how excited she was getting. We first took over cookies and pop corn balls to the local fire department (pictures below, out of order) in Omaha. I don't think they have many visitors because they didn't exactly know how to react, but that made me even more glad that we did. We started this tradition last year, and after our visit this year Emory asked us where the dog was. Cute that she remembered that detail from the previous trip!

Afterwards, we went back to Jaypa and Nannys house to open presents. And the chaos began...

Do you think Emory was happy about getting the Dora game?

 My sweet boy.

Here are the pictures of the kids on the fire truck...

 She was SO happy that Santa brought her some Wuggle pets!

 Gabe was more interested in the powdered donuts.

 Then we headed over to my parents house for a yummy brunch and more presents.

 And wouldn't you know who stopped by after a long night of work?????

Santa! Emory could not have been more excited.

 Look at that face! This is the moment Santa gave her a pillow pet, which she had been talked about f.o.r.e.v.e.r. I just love her reaction.

 Gabe and Ella got one too.

 I think Emory was still jumping up and down.

 Santa also brought Gabe a Lightening McQueen car (that goes), Emory a rocking chair of her own and Ella a bicycle.

 Giddy little girl!

 Not as happy little boy...

 After Christmas we were fortunate to have more time with the grandparents. Gabe couldn't resist trying on glasses. Does he look even smarter? Too cute!

 My brother and I really wanted to make sure we saw our grandma Shirley (our mom's mom). We were so glad that she could join us at my aunt Rhelda's beautiful house for an afternoon. I got to see so many family members that I haven't seen in awhile and my kids got to play with my cousins kids. That will make anyone feel old.

 Emory and great grandma Shirley, who she speaks of often. (Emory is named after grandma Shirley's husband)

 A little risky business...

 Emory LOVED taking the dogs for walks. I think it became a daily thing.

 Jaypa and Nanny took us to the Omaha children's museum and it was amazing. So many things to do and we didn't even see all they had. Here are the kids driving a fire truck...

 A water table (rain coats provided). Some how the kids still got wet!

 Emory was surprisingly good on the dinosaur stilts.

 Grandpa and Grandma took us all to the Omaha zoo! I love this place. The weather could not have been nicer, who would have thought we would be at the zoo after Christmas in Omaha?

 Grandpa and Em.

 The rainforest had a rope bridge that the Dess girls walked across.

 Having so much fun!

 Swinging from the vines...

 What a great day at the zoo!

 Afterwards, the kids managed to find the LAST pile of snow in Omaha. It kept them very occupied! Emory was insistent on shoveling, while Gabe and Ella just played.

 All the kids dressed up in their Husker gear.

 Nanny had a special project to work on with Emory. All during our two weeks Emory watched the birds with Nanny and both kids helped fill the feeders, so they made a pine cone bird feeder. Emory was very into it, and then they hung it outside for the birds to enjoy.

Thanks Grandpa, Grandma, Jaypa and Nanny for a great two weeks! I am sure you all got plenty of rest after we left and found plenty of little messes the kids left at your houses. We truly had a great trip!