Whitelaw Christmas

This has got to be one of the latest Christmas posts ever! At least it's before February, right? Kellen still thinks it's Christmas anyway. Whenever we see an evergreen tree, he exclaims, "Ma May Tee!" Or a house that still has it's Christmas lights on, "Ma May dights!" And, yesterday, he watched his favorite "choo choo modie," Polar Express. And then there are the "Ma May da-ees" (Christmas jammies) that he'd wear 24/7 if I'd let him.

On New Year's Day, Kellen and I finally felt well enough to celebrate Christmas with the Whitelaws. We got a pretty good family picture.

And, this is what things normally look like when we're all together . . . mass chaos!

There were lots of fun stocking stuffers.

A special coat made by Mima and a special friend straight from Disney World.

And lots of other special gifts. We had a yummy turkey dinner and a fun afternoon of playing with all the new toys. We are so blessed.

Keathley Christmas

It all began on Friday, Dec. 21st. Kevin had been sick for a few days and even missed a couple days of work, but was feeling better. We were set to leave for Wichita as soon as he got home from work. Jenna woke up Friday with a cough and fever, but was not acting sick AT ALL, and Kevin's sickness only lasted a few days, so we decided to continue with our plans. I spent most of the morning packing then started feeling sick about an hour before we left. By the time we got to the hotel, I had a fever, too. We trudged forth and made it to Wichita Saturday afternoon.

Sunday, Jenna and I stayed home from church. I missed Kellen joining in singing Silent Night and imitating the preacher's hand gestures during the sermon (I love seeing these little glimpses of his personality). That evening, we had a little Keathley birthday party for Kellen. He loved his lemon bar, had fun opening his presents, and Jenna even got a few half birthday presents.

Someone asked him whose birthday it could be and he said, "Jesus." Sweet boy!

 

Jenna was well enough by Christmas eve to join everyone at a Christmas eve service, still sick, I stayed home. For dinner, we enjoyed tamales (thanks Leslie) and chili (thanks Mom).

And when the kids went to bed, the grown ups exchanged gifts. So many nice gifts and a fun time! (Some of the collage pictures are from Christmas morning.)

 I just love this little squat - one of my favorite things!

 Her much desired and long awaited tiny little pony!

 Love this one, too! So proud of his new big toy!

 Lots of fun stocking goodies!

 Another great expression.

We had a delicious turkey and all the fixings lunch. And pumpkin, cherry cheese, and pecan pies for dessert!

December 26th - Making gingerbread boy and girl cookies with "ba-ma" (as Kellen says).

Matt and Leslie had to leave after lunch on the 26th, but Leslie got these great pictures before they had to leave. The kids really love their Aunt Katie, Uncle Matt, and Aunt Leslie! Kellen even called Leslie "Mommy" most of the time.

(Kellen loved that "dum")

Right before, they left, I was reading Kellen a story for nap time and he threw up all over him and me. We were his bedroom and everyone else was finishing lunch, I couldn't move because we were covered in yuck. I had lost my voice a little, but hollered the best I could. Mom finally heard me, and wisked Kellen away to the bath tub. What a crazy way to say goodbye to Matt and Leslie! So glad that it wasn't the stomach flu, just his way of heralding that he had a fever and the same sick that the rest of us had. We ended up taking both of them (and a bowl just in case) out to see Christmas lights that night.

Two tired cuties!

We left to go home after lunch on Dec. 27th. One last hug for her friend the bear. We were bummed to have been sick the whole time. Not quite the Christmas we had imagined (no pictures with Santa and no big family picture), but glad to have the time we had.

Another one of my all time favorite pictures - enjoying a movie at the hotel. I think it was the Polar Express - Kellen loves the "choo choo mobie!" We arrived in Colorado Springs around 2pm on Dec. 28th and went straight to our family practice that's also an urgent care. Still having fever, I for sure needed an appointment and I figured we might as well have Kellen be seen, too. We both got some much needed antibiotics. The rest of our holiday story: To be continued . . .