Christmas 2009

Well a bit late to be doing a Christmas update but at least I'm doing it! We had a great time visiting our families despite the weather/roads being a bit treacherous due to "blizzard like conditions". On the 23rd we went to Manhattan and spent the evening with my parents, (Parker's grandma and grandpa Lehrman). The following morning we left early for Emporia to stay with my grandma and grandpa Steinel. We had planned on leaving later in the day but the blowing snow/freezing rain yuckiness was only supposed to get worse as the day went on so we decided it would be best to leave as early as possible. We left early enough that we only encountered freezing rain for about 5 minutes of the trip and the rest of the time it was completely clear...no precipitation of any kind. Later in the day it did get bad and Emporia got so much snow that both my brother in his Celica and my uncle in his BMW with snow tires couldn't make it to my grandparent's house. The BMW was pushed up the hill and my brother and sister-in-law picked up my brother from the Walgreens parking lot where he parked his car! Christmas day was spent with my grandparents, parents, brothers and their families (with the exception of my sister-in-law who stayed home in Gladstone, MO because she was sick...we missed you Kara!), one of my uncles and his wife. Parker loved playing with his cousins Kaleb and Olivia! It was great being able to celebrate with everyone there! Then on the morning of the 26th we headed back to Manhattan to celebrate with James' family. The trip that just 2 days earlier had only taken us an hour and 20 minutes took 2 hours and 30 minutes! We not only had to take a longer route (the highway instead of twisting, hilly country type roads), but it was snow packed in many places even on the highway! I have never seen highway roads so unclear! Anyway, we made it safely and were able to spend the 26th and 27th with James' brothers and their families and James' parents. Parker had a blast playing with his cousins Elsie, Sam and Carter. I unfortunately don't have very many pictures from Christmas this year! :( I meant to take a lot more but it was much more difficult this year with Parker being able to run away instead of just crawling away. It was also difficult to keep him from wanting to play with all of Elsie's toys instead of helping open his own. We did get a few though...enjoy!

Opening his new book from Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Steinel


Reading his new book with mommy


Playing with his new "Geo Trax" train and track from Grandma and Grandpa Lehrman


still playing


"fixing" his train with his new toy drill from Uncle Matt and Aunt Kara...he took that drill around and was pretending to "fix" anything and everything (people, couches, chairs, you name it!) ;)




Opening one of his presents from mommy and daddy at Grandma and Grandpa Stowe's house