Christmastime is here.

...and I never even blogged about our trip to Florida in early November!  I'd intended to do it similar to how my sister Allie had just blogged their trip back to the states (because I totally loved reading that!), but other things quickly took priority. Mainly Christmas gifts! I spent a lot of time on those this year.  The spirit really got me. :)

Evie and I enjoyed talking to my mom and dad on the iPad tonight. It's not the real thing, but it beats the phone or texting! It was nice watching them open the gifts I'd sent. Evie started saying "grapa" today, and used it appropriately for both grandpas (we called gramma and granpa D to share this development.) Before today, she'd been saying "gaga" for both. That now belongs to grandma. She kept pointing to both of my parents (which disconnected us a few times, lol) and blowing kisses. It was very sweet. Love you, mom and dad!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. The only bad part was the drive up to Dallas, which took twice as long as it usually does. Evie is going through that "I really hate this carseat, get me out of it NOW" phase... so that was fun.  She loves Chase.  Look, she gave him bunny ears!

She was excited the whole time and didn't want to nap much.  She even slept through part of grandma D's birthday dinner.

The drive home was much better.

Our days are pretty full. This is what trying to entertain her often looks like.

We miss our families. Raising a toddler can be exhausting and trying.  It's not often easy to do this on our own. We'd prefer to have our parents, brothers and sisters, cousins, aunts and uncles around. Beth and David just moved pretty far away, but they promise to be back and thankfully will be visiting often. And who knows, maybe santa will bring us another sister and family living close soon. ;)

Really looking forward to Christmas next week!  I am off work for 5 days, so it will be a good break.