Christmas Week in IL

We had a fun and relaxing week in Illinois. It was so nice to spend time with Nathan's family and visit with friends, and the boys really enjoyed the week with grandpa and grandpa. It was Ben's first Christmas, and last year we got a similar picture of Caleb for his first Christmas under the Christmas tree. This year instead of looking up at the tree from the ground, Caleb had lots of fun taking ornaments on and off of the tree. 

Early in the week, we visited Carlyle Lake, the largest manmade lake in IL. It was a nice day to go for a walk, and for Caleb to play on the playground. 

Caleb quickly got reacquainted with Grandpa's truck, and he had fun playing in it throughout the week.

Ben and Caleb got lots of love throughout the week.

On Christmas Eve day, we took Grandma Rose, and met Carol, Mary, Kara, Hunter, and Keegan for lunch. Grandma Rose is 92 and she has 14 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild,which is pretty remarkable!

Four generations...

Before Christmas Eve service, Caleb had some work to do.

He was a great helper in the kitchen all week too.

The Christmas Eve service at their church was beautiful. We worshiped that evening singing Christmas hymns and listening to the story of Jesus's birth. I am thankful for why we celebrate Christmas, and for God's wonderful grace.

Last year we started a tradition to get new PJs on Christmas Eve. I will spare our family's embarrassment with the picture this year, but here is the best part of the PJs. 

On Christmas morning, a special visitor came to the house for a visit...

Who could it be?

It is Santa!

After Santa left, we opened gifts. Caleb enjoyed tearing the paper and playing with the boxes.

We appreciate all the nice toys and clothes the boys received from family and friends, and they are enjoying them at home now. They even got an Arabic children's book and CD from the Jolliffs, with a cheat sheet and all!

Ben slept through the entire morning...maybe next year, big guy:).

Elizabeth had a great idea to make this tree of the grandson's hands for grandpa and grandma. All I had to do was trace the boys hands, and she did the rest. It turned out great, and it is proudly hanging on display in their home.

Grandma Rose came over on Christmas Day. We had a nice lunch together and we got to Skype with the Jolliffs. Later that week, she said her best Christmas gift was being able to see Elizabeth's family over Skype.

The best gift I received this year, was the gift of motherhood. Caleb and Benjamin are such a blessing to our family, and we love them so much.

I love seeing Nathan with our two boys:).

The rest of the week, we visited with lots of friends. John and Lindsay welcomed their first daughter, Lily Grace in late October. They flew into town as a surprise to his family, and we were glad we got to visit with them and meet Lily. She is a beautiful little girl, and she slept so soundly the entire visit.

Bella came over a couple of times to play with Caleb and love on Ben. She is so good with little kids.

Nathan's high school track and cross country coach, Coach Phillips, came over to visit us and meet the boys. He has had a special influence in Nathan's life, and it was great they he could come over and get caught up with eachother.

Nathan's friend, Kim and Micah had a little girl, Mackezie in late September. She is precious, super alert, and spunky. It was nice to visit with them, and introduce her to our kids.

Another day, we went to the farm to meet Dane, introduce Ben, and I also got to meet Jennifer, Elizabeth's sister-in-law. Caleb got to see the cows and played with Hunter and Beau. We had a nice visit together that afternoon. By the time we got the picture, Beau already left for basketball practice....boys, boys, boys, everywhere!

Connie came over one day on her lunch break to snuggle with Ben. He was smiling and talking up a storm when she was holding him. 

Our last afternoon in town, Nathan, Betty, and I went to the Minton's home to see Mike, Brittney, the girls, and Mike's folks and sisters.  Last time we saw his parents was at our wedding, and it was good to see them again. Mike and Brittney are expecting a baby boy in late March, and we are so excited for them. We had a nice evening catching up chatting, and playing with all the kids. We even got some pretty snow during the visit.

I think Ned knew that we were leaving and he was sad to see us go. Caleb loved playing with Ned all week. I'm not sure Ned always enjoyed being chased or hit, but he was a great sport and so gentle with both boys.

The night before we left, we got another pretty snow, and it was a beautiful white morning when we left.

We had such a wonderful time with Nathan's parents, and were thankful for the time we all got to spend together. We were sad to leave that morning, but we know that we will be seeing them over the next few months.

On our way back east, we stopped in Bloomington to visit Indiana University, where Nathan went to college. Nathan took me there several years ago, and we wanted to bring the boys to campus too. I love the way the scenery looks with fresh snow on the ground, everything is so beautiful!

After walking around campus, we walked downtown to eat lunch and have a quick rendezvous with Mike and Marissa, who were meeting other friends for breakfast. They are expecting a baby boy in a few weeks, and we couldn't be more excited for their new addition. We will be seeing them this weekend for a baby shower in Philly.

When we returned to campus, we visited the outdoor and indoor track, where Nathan ran many miles during his time at IU.

Pictures of the IU athletics teams are hanging inside Assembly Hall. Nathan ran track and cross country for IU from 1999 - 2004. He is a piece of IU history, and I loved seeing his team pictures. It will be fun to bring the boys back when they are older and understand the significance of their dad's accomplishment all those years. In this picture, he is in the front row, 3rd from the left. 

That was our week! The boys were great travelers on the way back, and it is always good to get home.