Christmas in Texas

Due to the wonderful holiday season, I'm a little late in posting about our travels to Texas to see my (Brittany) family in Texas. First, it is always wonderful to get to go home and see my family, especially since we are all together ONLY once a year. Whenever Joel and I go to Texas, we drive. Yes, we drive the beautiful 16 hours down south. We do this for two reasons:

1) We bring our two pups with us because we don't want to pay for a kennel and we'd miss them (they shouldn't be alone on Christmas either). 

2) It is cheaper - do you know how much 2 tickets are plus fees to fly your dogs carry-on? A LOT!

Since my grandparents live in Michigan they usually meet us at our place in Ohio and then we all travel together. By decree of Joel and I, Gramsbear and Papou are just passengers (they don't mind). They are wonderful travel companions and I love being able to just talk to them. I love having them tell me stories, even if I've heard a story 20 times, I still love hearing it again and again. I truly have the most amazing and interesting grandparents. I just soak in all the history they have to share with me about growing up in Germany and Greece and love their adorable accents. I never tire of learning from them and I aim to be just like my witty, spunky and brilliant Gramsbear (this is what we call my grandma in case you were wondering).

Almost there, but looking pretty haggard after the long drive.

We rented a minivan for the journey this year since we had 4 adults and 2 pups on the way down and then on the way back my brother joined us for a week visit. We were NOT about to squeeze 5 grown adults and 2 dogs in a Chevy Cruz...not gonna happen! Since I only had a week off work, we left right after work the Friday before Christmas, planning on stopping to sleep half way through. Well my excitement and persuasive abilities helped me convince Joel we should just drive straight through the night, so that is just what we did. We arrived at 10:00 am the next morning and I don't regret getting the extra 8 hours with my family.

So on to the fun stuff... Christmas with my family is just like any other visit we take there, except my mom has the house decorated to perfection and it makes me feel like a kid again. Since I was 7-8 I have put together the Seria Family Christmas Eve Program. It mainly consists of my Dad reading the story of Christ's birth from the Bible, my Mom reciting (from memory) The Night Before Christmas, a special musical number from my sister, Amanda, etc. There are traditions that I just cannot let die no matter how old I get. I know my siblings and their spouses wish I would though. Well guys - TOO BAD...it's never going to happen! I was super excited to bring back the live Nativity this year since we have enough grandkids in the family now to do it. 

Our very impromptu Nativity: Roran as Joseph, Gaelyn as Mary, Jonah as Baby Jesus & 

Violet as the Angel (adults there for support & to keep babies from crying).

Other than fun Christmas festivities. We went to the park for a play date, saw a few movies, played lots of games (b/c that's what we love to do), visited Joel's sister, built gingerbread houses, looked at Christmas lights, laughed & ate until we hurt, and enjoyed snuggling babies (my absolute favorite thing in the world). Here are some pictures to highlight the trip.

Violet & Jonah

(not twins, but 2 weeks apart in age -- and they have different mothers)

We look good holding a baby... don't we?

The future Dr. Joel R. Skousen

(Joel's OSU themed blanket my Mom made for him)

Matching jammies

 Seria Family Photo 2013

We cannot be serious for too long!!!

We have to do one of these photos every year, much to Gramsbear's dismay.

 My siblings - we're pretty cool.

Roran had to help carry Uncle Derek - thanks bud.

My nieces, Lilly & Lucy (Joel's side) with their dad, Collin building a Graham Cracker House.

 Roran loves Superheros - Thor's my favorite too buddy! ;)

 Papou & Jonah

Home Sweet Home!

It was a great trip. My only regret is that it could not be longer and that I don't know the next time we'll all be together again (hopefully this summer... hint...hint)! I hope you all had a Merry Christmas too & that 2014 is treating you well thus far!