Gettin' in the spirit!

I am trying, REALLY trying to get into the holiday spirit this year.  But I am feeling more bah-humbug than jingle bells:(  I think I just have too much going on.  Typically I am ahead of the game and ready for Christmas come Thanksgiving, but not this year.  Piecing it together day by day, we'll get there!

Before the boys and I headed off to Indiana for some QT with Grandma and Grandpa, we bought our tree.  They say you shouldn't buy your Christmas tree after dark, but this year we didn't have any other choice.  It seems like every day and every night is crammed full of things to do, clean, buy, wrap, bake...it is actually amazing we even have a tree this year!  I have to admit it is the first time I have ever thought to myself how nice a pre-lit artificial tree could be.  Oh no!

Indiana or Bust!

We were off to the airport bright and early - this little guy was all smiles, the other was refusing photos.  Ian is so much like me it is frightening most days!

We made it through security unscathed (barely!) and were able to park ourselves at the gate for a couple of minutes.  I dreaming of catching my breath, the boys dreaming of snacks and sippy cups!  We had a front row seat to our plane when it pulled up and Ian thought that was pretty awesome.  All things considered everyone did a great job on the plane and the other passengers were so kind and understanding of my defeated state of mind. 

This picture is so cute to me.  I was telling both of them to watch for Grandma's car as we were landing!

First stop, Steak n' Shake!  By the time we landed and got our things loaded up it was not far off from dinner time, but the Andrews clan was starving.  My first stop is always Steak n' Shake.  I had been telling Ian all about having a shake once we got off the plan, so we swung in and got a shake + a little snack to tied us over until our next stop on the culinary tour de Indiana:)

Friday night we headed to Indianapolis to hang with the Green family.  They have moved since my last visit to Indiana, so I was psyched to see the new house and all the kids.  The kids had so much fun playing together.  Depending on the activity, Milo toggled back and forth between the other kids and the dog.  Ha!

Mallory, Ian, and Nathan - aka "Three Musketeers"

Not a great photo, but I just had to share the dance party that the kids had.  This was Milo's favorite - he was right in the middle shakin' his money maker!

It was a late night, but SO worth it.  Milo was asleep before we even got out of their subdivision!  Ian fought it for a bit longer, but eventually caved.  Fortunately, I had the bright idea to bring PJ's and change them before putting them in their car seats.  Go Mommy!

Saturday we got to visit with our good friends the Penwell's.  Heather and her girls - Tanner and Elisa - headed over after their breakfast with Santa.  The kids got to play and snack while Heather and I caught up.  The last time we got together Heather was pregnant with Elisa, so it was wonderful to meet her the day before her 2nd birthday! 

Saturday night we got the boys dressed in PJ's and drove around to look at Christmas lights.  One of my all-time favorite things to do during the holiday season.  My great-aunt and great-uncle had a spectacular holiday light display when we were growing up.  It was so fun to see!  I would never want to do all the work to get it to look like that though! 

A little backseat fun while we were driving around to look at lights.  I think they had a pretty good time!

Playing Cootie - I forgot how much fun that game is and Ian truly enjoyed playing it.  I hope Santa was watching!

Horsin' around with Grandpa while he is watching basketball. 

My Mom bought this race track for Ian many visits ago and this was the first time that he actually played with it and got it.  Milo on the other hand just wanted to knock it over.  I wanted to super glue it together, but wouldn't make for easy storage then.  Boo.

A great surprise from our trip was finding out that one of my best gal pals from high school was in town as well.  She has a little boy born a month after Milo, so I got to meet him too.  It was wonderful!  She happened to be in town because her brother had just had a baby girl and she discovered I was in town through my random posts on Facebook.  I love the Menard's - I spent a lifetime on their front porch swing and was so excited to be in their house again.  It was exactly how I remembered it being!  My Mom often runs into Bekah's parents so we are always kept up to date on each other, but there is nothing like some QT with an old friend to warm the soul!

Torre Cerro - the cutest!

Not the best photo, but a blurry shot of the Cerro & Andrews clans!  Milo was obsessed with the photo on the wall behind us and could not be bothered with yet another photo.  Ha!

The boys have their own room at Grandma's house and Ian even got an extra awesome surprise...a race car bed!  I am not sure if he was more excited about the car bed or the Cars sheets on the bed!  He did so great sharing this space with his brother and he never got out of bed while we were there.  He was so proud of himself for that and so was I.  A huge accomplishment in our world right now.  Milo looks a little like he is in prison.  Believe it or not, this is the same crib that my brother and I used to sleep in when we were at our grandma's house.  While some might see it as a death trap because it definitely isn't up to code, my boys have loved sleeping in it and I swear they sleep better in it than they do their own crib at home!

Monday, Monday - back to reality.  But not before getting to unwrap some Christmas presents!!  Ian opened his chef outfit.  He was excited, but I am not sure he got exactly what it was.  Fortunately, it fit in our luggage and we could bring it home to get a picture of him for Grandma.  What a great gift, just in time for our annual cookie bake-off with the Courtney's (post to follow)!

The boys did great on the plane.  The ride home went more smoothly.  I lucked out because both flights were not full, so I was able to keep Milo in his car seat on the plane.  A Godsend!  He is way to wiggly to be set free.  Thankfully Milo took a good nap before heading to the airport and somehow I was able to convince Ian that the plane flew faster if his eyes were closed.  Score for me!  I think Milo was the only who stayed awake the entire flight home.  The first time I have ever been able to get a couple of zzzz's when flying with children.  Yay for me!