Maryland Christmas Trip

The day after Easton’s birthday we drove to Maryland with Mom and Dad too.  The guys had a hunting trip planned in Virginia and Brittany and Stella were able to meet us here.  So, we decided to make a go of it, all 14 people staying in Billy and Devon’s Annapolis apartment on base.  It was spacious enough but with a range of children and it being super cold outside most of the time we have a lot of indoor moments.  Or maybe that is just when I manage to get my camera out.  We had so much fun and it was definitely a trip full of memories that we loved, memories that were funny and maybe not so funny but we are a family and that’s how we do it.  The first day the guys went pheasant hunting and did really great.  Now I have pheasant in my freezer that he is dying to cook and I am avoiding.  When they were out we shopped and took the kids to play. 
 
In the in between outings or before bed the kids watched a lot of movies.  Once they played too loudly we had to settle them down.

This was the first time we all met Stella (except Uncle Brad) so we passed her around and she looked like this 85% of the time. 
Bradley loved loved being a big helper to Stella.  Stella is really cute and she can say all her cousins names in that cute all jumbled up learning to talk kind of way.  It is adorable. 


 
These kids……

Gavin with his bunny ears he puts on everyone now.  Including himself like in the picture below.

We exchanged Christmas gifts after a big Christmas dinner we had.  Brittany spoiled us with lots of cooking and baking. 

 

Mom got all sentimental gifts.  We weren’t messing around!

Opening their gift announcing a family photo shoot tomorrow with all of us. 


After we were done taking the pictures the kids were treated to Starbucks hot chocolate or smoothies.  They did last 2 and a half hours!

I just couldn’t resist this picture of my three handsome little men all decked out in nice clothes sitting around the table and talking like they are wise old souls.
That night after pictures Brit, Devon and I decided to go out and have a night on the town.  We had a wonderful dinner and even better time being sisters.

We went early enough out and back home before the oldest went to bed.  They were waiting for us to get back because Bella and Madelyn had rehearsed for two months a Christmas performance.  They sang and choreographed like four different songs and even had a raffle, etc.  They are amazing brilliant beautiful little girls. 




The cousins had so much fun being together but it wore them out too. 

We were definitely grateful for our time together.  We all left in spurts but we left on Friday evening and were able to drive through to Southern Maryland.  We went to see our friends and my Dad and Kris. 
    
The Woodward and Gautier kids. 

At GrandPop and Grandma’s house.  It always silly over there!!
We headed home Sunday to get ready for Christmas Eve on Tuesday night.