Four Christmases, One Post

We are finally home. Drew figured it up and according to Mapquest we drove close to 600 miles and 12 hours. Hmmm, we could have went someplace way warmer than Illinois with all that driving! Although it was lots of sleepless nights with Ben and more stress than I remember it being in years past, now that we are home and the bags are unpacked, the laundry is done, and the presents are all put away - we wouldn't have done it any differently. I'm just thankful I have a patient husband!

Here are a few pictures from the Maurer, Goebel, LeSage and Ruwe Christmases (in that order). It was great reconnecting with family from far away (and close by too!).

Ben's first Christmas.

Kate was such a good helper. She got to help Ben with all his presents. She was "sharing". I'm not so sure Ben will be into this type of "sharing" next year.


Christmas Eve Grammy read "The Night Before Christmas" for Kate and Ben's bedtime story.

Ben and Grandmother Goebel on Christmas morning.

The whole Goebel family.

Lots of presents for Kate...

Jack and Ben playing at the Ruwe Christmas gathering.

Chaos!!

Ben and Jack got their traditional first Christmas gifts from Great Grandpa Ruwe.

Every year Grandma Ruwe comes up with a unique gift for everyone. This year all the "married men" got brown work gloves. From the looks of it, it is exactly what they all wanted. (-: