Christmas in Pine Mountain

This past weekend we took a trip up north to visit Josh's family for an early Christmas. It took a few car rides, shuttle and plane ride but after 8 hours we finally made it. It takes the same amount of time to drive as it does to fly (and then drive) after now doing both, I am not sure which one is easier...

We had lots of fun catching up with the family and introducing Emmy to all of her cousins. There were 10 kids under the age of 5 and we had a white elephant gift exchange with 30+ people so you can imagine the fun chaos. Saturday night Emmy was so over stimulated and hyper we thought we'd never get her calmed down! She was spoiled and showered with gifts (which really came in handy during the plane ride home - thank you everyone!).

A few highlights from the weekend:

Josh re-living his glory days playing soccer



Hanging out with Grandma. So southern California with a jacket and no shoes.



Let the white elephant games begin!



Hanging with Dad and Uncle Zach



After some harmless bribery a picture of the cousins. Yes, big bird made it in almost every picture!



This was our white elephant gift we brought, a blue frog wearing gold pants and sunglasses that dances to MC hammer. The best part of this story is that we actually owned this dancing frog, we didn't even have to go out and buy it. All week long Emmy had a love hate relationship with it. At first she cried then she tried to beat it up until she actually went looking for it. By the end of the weekend I think she had grown to love the little guy. It was kind of sad to leave him behind. Well, at least we know he has a great home with her cousins and I am sure Aunt Amy would be more than willing to give it back :)



Trying to get a last minute picture with cousin Julia and Aunt Genesis. I realize Genesis is not her aunt but Josh's cousin but since she is his cousin on both family sides (his mom and her sister married his dad and his brother) she is pretty close to being his sister! I have always thought they looked alike so it is no surprise that Julia and Emmy do as well. It will be fun watching them grow up together. Is Genesis ready for number two??!!