Where to start? What a great trip!

We went to OKC this weekend for a real quick visit with Justin's parents, Aunt Mimi (Justin's sister Stephanie), and our friends the Venables. Justin's mom is doing much better so thanks for your prayers. It was nice to be at their house because the kids love it so much. And speaking of love so much.....Aunt Mimi is amazing! She's the best aunt ever. I feel like now I am a terrible aunt to her kiddos. The kids love her so much and she does so many special things for them. She started a Mimi and girls' tradition this year of making gingerbread houses together. Charli and her did a great job, and Chloe just licked the icing. Then they watched movies together, she carried Chloe through the stores (when I make her sit in the cart and scream), and she even slept with them BOTH. AND...woke up and fed them and let me sleep. She gets the best aunt award for sure! Can't wait to spend more time with her and her family for Christmas.


Then we went to the Venables house for dinner and our first Christmas present exchange. We had such a good time. They are long time wonderful friends and always will be even though we live a little farther away. We always have the kids exchange presents and it has been so fun to watch Charli and Jake change over the years. I remember buying Dorynda a present for Jake the Christmas before he was born.....my how time flies. They are such cute kids and we love being a part of their lives. Charli, and Chloe now, both talk about them all the time and love to visit. And getting to open Christmas presents early was a definite plus!!!


To top the weekend off.....got a crazy story! We had tickets to the Christmas train Sunday evening with our community group of young families. There were 5 families that went. We left around 5pm (it was a little over an hour drive to Dry Gulch USA) and it was in the 60's. When we got there, it was in the 20's! AHHHHHH! We all had little kids (some really little) and had to wait OUTSIDE to ride the train. It took about an hour to wait in the FREEZING cold and ride the train (which had no heat). Then when we left and it was SLEETING. So we drove an hour there, waited in the cold, rode the train, and drove over an hour home in the sleet......ALL PAST BEDTIMES, for over 30 bucks. It was a fantastic place and I would love to go back....just not in the freezing cold. It was definitely an adventure.