While most of our vacation was so fun and magical, the second half didn't go as planned. We were able to spend time with John's family for several days and then a couple days with my mom.....but the day after Christmas, Johnny and I both woke up with fevers, aches, chills and sore throats. So, we missed out on seeing my dad and that side of the family. John was able to get Johnny into urgent care and was told it was just a virus, so I didn't even make an appointment. After discussing all our options, we decided just to head back home a few days early and battle the virus from there. (Since we weren't going to be able to see anyone anyway....because by the time we would be fever free 24 hours, it would be time for us to come home anyway.) It was really sad and there were lots of tears, but on the 27th we headed home (with Charlie now coughing too...). Mellany stayed with my mom because mom was planning to come back out to IN with us for New Year's anyway; so this was a great opportunity for them to spend some special time together (and Mellany got to hang out with the Jones cousins one more time!)
My dad and Teresa are coming out a bit later this month so we really don't have to wait long to see them, though we are still missing the rest of the family.
Thankfully the virus never got a hold of John, but it did get Mellany and she ended up at Urgent Care after getting back home....she had quite the sore throat. Charlie's cough was gone just as soon as it came.
A few days after New Years and we were thankfully all back to normal! This vacation is definitely one to remember!
The first part of our trip with the Barrett/McNeely crew!
Mellany is loving having another girl on this side of the family. Quinn is just the cutest!
Mel had a lot of find making John carry her koala....she would randomly hide it somewhere on him. :) John was obviously thrilled!
With the downtime, I was able to finish some bookmarks I started working on earlier in the month with my friends.
The kids loved decorating gingerbread houses....
So many snuggles!!
Santa dropped off Christmas Eve boxes again this year!
The dads were living their best life on Christmas Eve...
We ordered some fun shirts instead of pajamas this year and they were so funny!
The kids each got a "Comfy" in their santa box and loved them!
Reindeer food!!! (It was BITTER cold for Christmas this year)
Santa came!!!!! iPads were the request this year and Santa delivered!!!!
Christmas day we headed to Gammy's!!!
Gammy always has a game planned...
After Christmas day, we got sick and then decided to head home. Once Gammy and Mellany got back in town, I still wasn't feeling super great but the rest of the crew headed to the movies to see Puss N Boots.
And we actually made it to midnight on New Years Eve!!!! The kids thought it was so fun to watch the ball drop! Winston wasn't a huge fan of the hat...
Mom went back home on New Year's Day and in those few days between New Years and school starting back up, there were lots of snuggles and relaxation.....and of course light saber battles. :)
It wasn't how we planned or wanted it to go, but we still made some fun memories for sure. Here's to an amazing 2023!!!
