Playing catch- up...

First of all...Happy New Year!  Wasn't it a fabulous holiday season???  We had a great time! 

Now that the holidays have come and gone...we are FINALLY back to a routine around here.  Jaxon had to go through detox for a couple of days after spending 15 days with his cousins and his grandparents.  (And all of his aunts and uncles, too.)  The first morning he was home he said "When are you going to buy the doughnuts?"  If that is any indication of the kind of trip we had...I knew SERIOUS melt down was going to occur.  When I told him I wasn't going to buy doughnuts, because we NEVER have doughnuts...I think his little world started to crack.  Then we had a couple of days of fits and crying...but I am happy to say that my sweet little, reformed sugar addict has returned to me.  I am so happy!

Ella detoxed in a different way.  Every time I ate something she gave me the look of "HELLO???  Are you going to let me try that???"  She too heard that crack that broke her heart.  Then of course every time I put her down her little lip began to quiver.  She had been adored for 15 days.  I don't think her little knees felt the cold floor for the entire 15 days.  She was passed around and she loved every single second of it!

It was such a fun vacation, but I am happy to be home.  That is so weird to say.  For the very first time, when we came home, we felt like THIS was home.  There is something to be said for that.
Anyway...here are some pics of our vacation...and our Christmas.  :)

PS- Happy 11 months Miss Ella Rose.  I can't believe you will be one in 4 very short weeks.  You are pure joy.  I love you.


I love that they match.

I love that they both look just a little bit terrified.

When we first got to NM, it snowed 6 inches.  Jax and grandpa were in heaven.

My niece Olivia and Ella.  They liked to match.  I love them.

This is grandpa Craig's new toy.  I think Jaxon cried a little when he saw it.  He loved it.

I love this picture of Gramma Velle and Ella.  It makes me miss her.

Christmas Eve gifts.  He was pretty excited.

Christmas morning...he was still excited.

Ella sat in the MIDDLE of everything.  It was hilarious.  She loves being the center of attention.

This was my dad opening his BIG gift.  My mom got him a "Dream Team" package.  He gets to DRIVE an Indy car!!!!!  So excited!!!

My mom made Jaxon these chaps and the vest.  He also got six shooters.  Adorable.

They were screaming giggling.  It was adorable.

Rascals

This is thrown in there to prove that I was ON this vacation.  It is the only pic of me...I kinda love that.

Jaxon got a Exploding MENTOS kit.  It was awesome.

Awesome. Right?

Love those kids.