Cam & J: CHristmas

What a crazy time it was...

Originally we had decided that we would all drive home together this year... with airline tickets, boarding Jake, and renting a car we easily hit over a grand just getting home... but then with me being 8 months preggo and Dylan hating to be in the car for over an hour, needing to bring tons of things with us (presents, baby gear, etc), we opted for me to fly with Dylan (who still flies free until May) and then have Cameron and Jake drive up (saving us from boarding Jake and having to rent a car in the midwest, plus have all of the gear you need to bring that seems so essential once you have a kid...

SO that was the start of that decision... I flew solo with Dylan the night of the 21st directly into my hometown... for $75 extra it is so worth not having a 2 hour drive once you have already completed two flights alone with an extremely busy 18 month old. Dylan actually did pretty well on the flights. We invested in a portable DVD player, and I don't think we would have made it without good ol' Curious George on DVD.

Dylan LOVED the phones in the airport... a great way to keep him preoccupied since it was late.. we didn't arrive until 11 pm...

It actually worked really well to have him in the stroller, my carry on bag below, me strapped with the backpack... all at 8 months preggo... I am a little proud of myself! :) hehe

We had a great time in Sioux City. Cameron arrived on the 23rd and we stayed through Christmas hanging out with them. It is a joy to see my nieces and nephews, hang out at the house, eat a lot, see Dylan play with his cousins, get spoiled and pampered at my sister-in-law's beauty salon and just be home. It's only once a year that my whole family gets together, as we are quickly growing and all getting busier by the year.

Dylan's niece, Cecily and him playing with calculators...

I love this pic... all of the Taylor grandkids... notice Dylan's pleasant face... the kid always has an opinion...

It gets more fun each year... we all exchange gifts, so it is quite the time of present opening... this year D got into it and loved him some fun new things...