After many calls and back and forth decisions about heading to Illinois we finely took off around noon on the 30th. Why you ask? Well, Adalynn got sick on Sunday and still was and Wyatt woke up early AM on the 30th sick. But my parents and my brother's families all wanted us to still come. So off we went with two not feeling the greatest kids. We were thinking that stopping at a hotel half way would be good but the kids were cooperating and there was snow starting in Indiana. So we kept driving hoping to make to make it to my parents around 12:30am. We did but about 20 min from their house Lily got sick. After arriving and having a very long or should I say short night. The boys who were healthy at that time slept in one room and I slept with the sick girls Then I joined them around 3:00am. After laying around the next day Lily and Wyatt were better. On the 1st we were planning on doing our "Christmas". Brad got sick but we decided to continue anyway and let him just lay on the couch. We did have a good time together. Laughing about how next year we will laugh about this. The cute new baby boys added to the family this year. So after that is was the domino effect with the rest getting sick. Craig, Amber, Tabita then Brian. Mom and Dad were fine just tired with headaches. Thankfully it was just a 24hour thing. The healthy ones enjoyed playing with the kids, making crafts, playing games, making food, laughing and telling stories. Thankfully I have a forgiving family that said over and over that they were still glad we came because it wouldn't have been the same without us. Boy was that an understatement! Here is our attempt at our whole family picture with everyone, even sick Brad:) From start to finish.  
 I didn't realize my kids and their Uncle were without shoes. But that is the way they always are so we might as well catch them in the picture that way. And Brad had on his comfy pants. But I think it came out great for not having someone take the picture and having to use the timer.
The kids enjoyed their new cousins. Lily was fascinated with helping dress her cousin Tsuirel. I am sure if Craig and Amber hadn't left sick on Friday she would have enjoyed loving Roy too. Thankfully we live close enough to see them soon. We tried to keep the kids from touching the babies for a couple of days. Adalynn just wanted to hold, comfort and kiss them all the time. Adalynn trying to teach Tsuirel how to suck his thumb. 
Wyatt and Lily giving us a funny face. Those two were healthy (Lily got better in the morning) and had a great time the whole time.  In case you can't see the shirt it says "Who Needs Santa when I have Grandma". And our little cowgirl. YIKES! 
 The happy new families and my VERY CUTE Nephews!!! We have already decided that Adalynn will be the ring leader getting her little cousins in trouble.
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We had a wonderful Christmas. Brad gave me my present Christmas Eve. I wanted to take pictures of the kids all dressed up and Brad said use your old camera. I used to have a VERY nice 35mm camera that broke a few years back. I thought he fixed it but still didn't want to use it. The digital is much easier and likely for success. But no he insisted. So I opened my old case and there was a Nikon D80. YAHOO! His boss bought it about a year ago and decided he wanted to upgrade Brad is going to do some side work to pay for it. So these are taken right before Church and I hadn't read any directions yet. I am still trying to figure it out. But it is fun experimenting.
