ThanksGiving Can I get Some Mo' Family???

Thanksgiving vacation was only 10 days long, but we sure packed a TON in.  We had the chance to hang with my sister and her family for the first couple of days, head to Nebraska to enjoy Russell's sister's family, see Granny Barb and Papa, a quick visit with Cristale, be amazed by my bff's house and her family, then onward to Grammy's house to see Grandpa Mark, Uncle Will, and more cousin time, and after returning home got to spend a night out with my rockstar bro and his girlfriend.  We broke the Nebraska trip up nicely and really got to enjoy our stops.  We had the chance to visit the Henry Doorly Zoo, which is legit the best zoo in the world.  Our kids are so into it now that it made the whole darn thing fun.  They were zooming to exhibit after exhibit.  It's kind of crazy to think that we were there at such a young age, and now our kids are there.  We enjoyed one night away from the kids at the Hyatt in Omaha, which happened to be steps away from Granny Barb and Papa's new crib in the Old Market.  Russell and I watched movies and chilled out.  AND then enjoyed 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep.  I truly don't know when the last time we have experienced that.  (Hey-Megan! If you are reading this 5+ years later when all kids are sleeping in.  Please remember this with other people, and give them props daily, when they are going through the young children years.  This shit is real.  The struggle of interrupted sleep is real.)

We realized how we have the best of all worlds, except the beach (hint/hint, wink/wink/nudgenudge), with the Grandparents.  We have urban high rise in Downtown Omaha-complete with bricks and awesome views.  Then we have country time, where you can go out and get your eggs straight from the chicken and spend the night in a camper after driving the 4wheeler, and in a few shorts months we will enjoy the mountain escape that happens to be a short 45 minute drive from our house to their house.  Lucky we are.  I really never take that for granted.

Our kids got to hang with ALL of their cousins, which is amazing.  Dempsey continually disappoints her girls cousins by taking forever to warm up.  AJ and Ryker really enjoy Arjan because he is their boy cousin that has great ideas, and loves legos.  AJ and Annie got to put on a show, which the highlight for me was them showcasing their classroom management skills that they have learned in their kindergarten classes.  "I won't be turning these lights on until EVERYONE is quiet."  "QUIET FOX guys! Ears up, mouths closed."  Hilarious.

We had a great time, and got to enjoy our weekend before we charged ahead for 3 more weeks before Christmas break.
Love,
Momma