Christmas, St. Louis style

After Christmas celebrations in Oregon we headed east to celebrate with the Roth side. This was Avonlea's first time meeting her cousins and many aunts and uncles.

Look how ready she is to board the plane.

This is us after the connecting flight took off without us. We literally watched it fly away. Needless to say we were not thrilled to stay the night in 7 degree MN. But we did decide to get sushi for dinner.

Day two attempting to get to St. Louis with two kids and a wife with pneumonia.

As soon as we arrived, said hellos, B settled right in.

Avonlea was fed by Anna.

Rachael helped with an art project.

Avonlea was doted on a lot by Rachael. 

These two loved playing together!

As a family we opened presents as a Christmas/New Years Eve celebration.

The kids in birth order.

The two that started it all.......

Uncle Tom is the baby whisperer.

Photo bomb!

Emmett

Almost 24/7 you can see this site at the Roth household. Cards.

This is what happens when you go to bed early (before midnight on New Years Eve) and your aunts and uncles are around.

Look who got away kid free. Well, Avonlea is in a car seat next to us, so, um, guess who is in a picture without kids in it?!? 

Grandma Mickey time

Starting her early for a life of cards.

Classy, I know.

Kai time. She loves babies!

Steve and Kama have a great outdoor space.

Aunt Kama time.

This is a great picture. But even better when you see Dan holding up a rib in the back!

Kama put together a fun family bonding time. One task was for Kai to put on makeup on someone. Emmett was a great sport.

We went on a walk. Yep, with a broom. We were acting out Moses and the Israelites. You know, fleeing from Pharaoh.

Nails

The next day we went swimming. Spot the baby.

Uncle Tom and Aunt Susan time!

Look who loves Grant!

So cute!

Papa got some good time with her.

The reason I don't have a ton of pictures of B is because these two were off playing. They were great together. And B got his pants wet outside on the play structure and got comfy cozy in jammies.

Art projects!

Nails were being done and B wanted to join in. He was a demanding client.

After a fun week we headed back. Here we are getting ready to board the plane.

This trip was chaotic to start, but once we got to St. Louis we made a lot of fun memories. 

Christmas 2014

I was pretty sick with pneumonia this Christmas, so Scott dressed these littles and headed to the Christmas Eve service,

That night cookies for Santa were set out and an excited little boy went to bed.

Avonlea helped Scott make his egg and sausage casserole that is now a staple for Christmas morning.

What is Scott doing to those cookies?

That morning B was up early, ready to open presents!!

He needed some coffee for some extra energy. Avonlea was sleeping, so it was all him. This will be the last Christmas he comes down by himself......

Once Avonlea was up we headed to Island Man and Grandma's house to join Nana and Lauren and Nathan.

Uncle Nathan was a good sport to let us throw things at his head.

Santa brought Avonlea a doll. Apparently with more hair than she has.

She opened gifts once we got home.

A few nights later we did Christmas Even dinner. I was so sick that everyone was good sports and rescheduled.

Yep, napkin face time.

After dinner Uncle Nathan put Avonlea is a trace with his guitar playing. She loved it.

Nice evening cuddles with the grandparents.

While this season I was really sick, it was great to celebrate Avonlea's first Christmas and have an understanding family.