"Thanksmas" Vacation II

Something else that was going on the evening of the 9th, right after we arrived in Wichita, was some inspecting of gifts.

The collection of gifts for our Christmas celebration on the 10th drew MUCH attention!

So, the kids were very excited when it was finally time to open gifts on the evening of the 10th (after basketball games and dinner).  Except, there was ONE more thing before "Christmas" - annual pajama picture time!  (Four of the five grands getting ready for pictures.

Are you kidding me with these adorable grandsons?!)

This year we chose another new location so some of us took it upon ourselves to pose for a check of the lighting.

(Nana and her babies)

Then, with only a few of us still missing, we took a couple of Nana, Grandpa, and their grands.

Finally, the real deal!

And our little family alone.

But, that wasn't the end.  That's just when things got interesting...

and Everett was wondering WHAT was going on!

In true form though, he took the picture taking and his instructions very seriously.  (Emily and Cooper, however, thought someone said seriously silly I suppose.)

But the silly one came next.

And hooray!  It was finally Christmas!

This year, Nana and Grandpa gifted these Mickey ponchos from Daddy and Aunt Sarah's childhood.

And they also gave the kids new luggage.

 But Everett didn't go too far - after all, he had to check in with Charlie every few minutes.

The next morning rocked too.

The kids enjoyed playing in the garage with the fog machine...

 and the new remote control helicopters.  (look for a little light amid the "fog")

There was just a little time to hang out...

before we had to hit the road.  What a fast and furious but FUN visit we had!  Thanks Uncle Reagan and Aunt Sarah!
Funny, tidbit: on our way home, Everett had no idea that Emily was watching a movie as he rode along backwards until we stopped and I put him in the middle to change his diaper.  He was QUITE interested in Elmo dancing across Emily's screen!

And for the remainder of the trip, he got the DVD player while Emily got Daddy's iPhone.  Everett was a happy camper.

*Our little family's annual pajama pictures...

2008

2009 (apparently we didn't do a small family pic?!)

2010

2011

2012