2nd Stop: Illinois

I have been procrastinating for way too long.  Making up excuses not to blog. Etc.  ANYWAYS... even with the lack of photos I will still update you all on our trip. 

After we left Branson, we traveled to Illinois to spend time with my family.  Originally we weren't planning to leave Branson and head north until 4 or5am but Kaelin woke up in a screaming fit around 12:45am and would NOT settle down for anything.  We figured since we were already packed up and and already up, there was no sense waiting around.  We hit the road at 1am. 
It turned out to be one of the best decisions.  The girls slept the ENTIRE 7hours and we had to wake them in my parents driveway when we arrived a little after 8am. 
I think we will considering traveling all night long again in the future. 
Leaving that early also allowed us another day with my family and we surprised my sister Stephanie at her work Christmas lunch. She was so excited!   It was a great time had by all.  On Saturday morning we all (siblings, parents etc.)  and had or "Jolly Christmas"  My mom made our traditional cinnamon rolls and we opened gifts.  It was so fun to watch them opening presents this year.  They had a blast and LOVED all of their toys.  Kevin and I were also very excited with the gifts we received this year.  We were truly blessed and so very thankful! 
Sunday afternoon, we got together with extended family and close friends in Chenoa at my Great Aunt Sharon and Uncle Steve's house.  I consider them more like grandparents. We love them both so much. 
The rest of the week was spent with my parents and just hanging out.  My parents were so awesome and watch the girls several times so Kevin and I could go shopping, dinner with friends or just hang out just the two of us. 
I know the girls had a good time too.  My parents took them to the festival of lights in Peoria and to a Christmas parade another day.  Or was the Christmas parade the weekend of my grandma's funeral??  I can't really remember.  Oh well! I know the girls had a blast with them, they always do.  It makes it so hard to leave. 
Thanks for everything Mom and Dad.  We love you so much!  (Love you too, Steph, Kara & Jordan)

1st Stop: Branson, MO

This year we had the opportunity to go on our first family vacation. Just the 4 of us!  The destination:  Branson, MO.  Branson is only about 5 1/2 hours from our home in Kansas, so it was an easy enough drive but far away enough to be a break from home.  Kevin parents let us use their time share and I'd have to say that is the best way to go if you ever have the chance to do it. We had a full kitchen, washer and dryer, all of the dishes, soaps, etc provided for us.  It saved us A LOT of money in the long run.  The weather was decent the first few days and we were able to play outside and go out and about around town with only sweatshirts on.  It was so nice!  The girls LOVED to swim and we took them every single day.  I think Lauren would stay in the water forever if she could.  All Kaelin wanted to do was sit in the hot tub.  My kind of girl :)  
After a few days of beautiful sunshine, we had a few days of rain and then the cold came.  We decided to visit Silver Dollar City and of course it ended up being the coldest day of our trip.  We managed to stay for a few hours before we made the decision to leave because the girls just would not keep their hats and gloves on and with dusk approaching it was just getting too cold for their little heads and hands.
That evening we went to the Festival of Lights. The girls LOVED it. Lauren kept "oooing" and "ahhing" and saying "what's that?" etc at all of the lights. It was absolutely adorable.  Overall we had a nice relaxing time.  We learned some lessons about traveling and "vacationing" with small children..Such as.. museums are a no go unless you bring along some glass cleaner.  Especially museums that don't allow you to bring in food or drink aka my bag of tricks/lifesavers.  We had a pair of screaming/bored kids. We had made the mistake of letting them out of the stroller for a bit only for them to start licking glass cases and want to touch everything in sight.  Lol.  Then they were screaming when it was time to get back into the stroller.  Museums are not for toddlers!   :) 

Here are a few a lot of pictures from the first part of our trip.  Enjoy! 
Ugh- I lied.. there aren't any Branson pictures on my computer.  Kevin must have uploaded them to his.  I will post them later today.  I am going to try really hard to update more and more. I know you are all missing me!!