Christmas in Texas

The Smith family braved 18 hours in the car to complete our first ever road trip to Texas. I can't tell you how much I was dreading this little adventure as I had no idea what to expect with two small kids and a dog, not to mention the unpredictable weather! Our plans were to leave on Dec. 23rd, but when news of the impending midwestern snowstorm hit on Tuesday the 22nd, my family immediately started calling and begging us to reconsider our date of departure. It basically came down to my Dad, who phoned Brad at his office, and said that we either needed to leave that day or not come home. Brad knew there was no way I was staying here for Christmas, so we packed up and left that night. We drove seven hours to Kansas City, arriving there at around 2:15 in the morning. After stopping at a hotel for the night, we resumed our drive the next morning and made it to Taylor by 11 the next evening, managing to miss all inclement weather that apparently came just hours after we passed through each city.

Random shots at the hotel...

good oral hygiene...very important!

Yes, the dog came, too!

The drive was truly uneventful. Brody kept himself occupied by watching movies, reading books, and coloring. Leyton was his usual mellow self and was happy to just look out the window or nap. We stopped every few hours to rest, walk, and get something to eat, but really, it could not have been an easier drive in the car. I honestly couldn't believe it!

Christmas in Texas was great fun, and we are so happy that it all worked out. We enjoyed our time in both Taylor (where my Dad and his family live) and Eagle Lake (where my Mom and stepfather live,) and even headed up to Dallas for a quick New Year's Eve celebration with Auntie Kelli and Uncle Jeff. After sorting through 573 pictures of our time in Texas, I narrowed it down to a few of the highlights. (SO many pictures of opening presents, and really no good ones with the grandparents! We'll have to work on that next time!) Let's just say there was a LOT of opening of presents, playtime indoors and out, and sharing many yummy family meals together. The kids had a fantastic time visiting some family members they dearly love and don't get to see nearly often enough, and although that is definitely true for me, too, I enjoyed having HELP!! That in itself is priceless!

Christmas in Taylor

I didn't do it! You can't prove anything!

Christmas Eve pic before Church

Brody with a plate of cookies for Santa

Christmas morning...what did Santa bring ya, Leyton?

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Santa

Lovin' from Uncle Jeff

Family game of badminton

Brody listens avidly as Granddaddy reads Cajun Night Before Christmas

Christmas in Eagle Lake

Full-on Pirate Mode!

Leyton loves his new shopping cart!