The end of 2014 was a great time for our family. We had a wonderful low-key Christmas morning at home and left to Aunt Penny's house, in Illinois, around 11:00 AM. We met the Billings Grandparents, Grampy and Grandma Kathy, there and spent five days in the North-lands before returning home. It was a great time to unwind and reconnect with everyone.
Our tree and the loot on Christmas morning.
The tired magic of Christmas morning.
Look what I got.
Imagine that, a new Skylander.
A new puppy to love.
New boots for tromping through the mud.
The biggest stuffed animal yet.
Catalina dressing as Queen Elsa holding her new Elsa doll.
She currently watches Frozen almost everyday.
Before the car was completely packed Olive June was ready to go.
She was so excited to go to Penny's.
After a very long trip that included an unexpected detour into Indiana,we finally made it to Penny's house. An 8 hour trip, according to Google Maps, took more that 12 hours.
Catalina, Griffin and Penny on the Ranger during chores.
Climbing the hay in the barn.
Saying hello to the large dog sized Shetland Pony.
In the front yard.
Stomping in icy puddles.
Waiting for Penny and Dad to finish
feeding the horses.
Making cookies with Grandma Kathy and
Grampy making coffee in the background.
A tender OJ and Grandma Kathy moment.
Ina, Mollie, and Gma Kathy on a cold day.
Who am I kidding, it was cold everyday.
One day we took an extended excursion from the farm. We went to Olney, IL, the only place in the world that has non-albino white squirrels. We even found a few (look closely at the picture above). Catalina also fell asleep in the car here.
There was a good playground there too.
Warming her cold hands.
Griffin trying to roll the giant barrel.
Penny and Olive. OJ carried her "puppies"
in a basket all day.
Then we went to the Charlie Brown Park on the way home. This was our second time being here. If you go far enough back in this blog you will see pictures of Griffin here when Olive June was a baby. Ironically, she did not play in the park this time too because she thought it was too cold to get out of the car. Maybe next time.
Griffin and Catalina on the playground.
Climbing with Mama up the play structure.
Recreating a photo of Griffin from our previous visit.
There is no swing Catalina has met that she does like. Everyone was
in the car but she insisted on swinging "just a little more."
