Friends, Family, and Farewell to 2014

Of course, we didn't do an entire road trip to Illinois just to see a basketball game--we packed in plenty of time with family and friends as well. While at Jii and Baachan's house, my high school bestie Britt was awesome enough to drop by for a visit. 

My Okaasan, Britt, me, and Paula (holding an ancient dinosaur that used to belong to me)

The next day we made it to my childhood church building where I saw several familiar faces as well. But first we took some pictures of us:

On Monday we spent our family time doing some of this:

Three princesses riding the carriage (which has been around since I was a kid)

. . . and some of this:

Mika playing with my old tea set (in style)

Although we didn't get to see Grandma on this trip (she was in Arizona) we did get to visit Great-Grandma Rosanne in the nursing home. When we got there, she was in the cafeteria waiting for lunch to be served. She wasn't expecting us--hopefully it was a pleasant surprise.

Once we got to Paca and Teresa's house, the place was generally bustling with friends and relatives celebrating the end of 2014 and the beginning of 2015. But Forest and the girls did get some quiet time in the woods down by the river with Paca.

Mika and Ramona with Cousin Ella

They also got some time to make cinnamon raisin rolls . . .

 . . . and sample the raisins.

On New Year's Eve, Forest and Ramona got a daddy/daughter date in Springfield when he took her to see a performance by Kristen Nelson (our Kristen Stoddard). They even enjoyed some fireworks and ice cream afterward.

New Year's Day was celebrated with Papa Dels Pizza.

Paula had her first taste of Papa Dels and kept asking for more.

That day we also got to meet baby Joni, Gavin and Kristen's little bundle.

Ramona adored her tiny toes.

2015 was off to a very good start with relaxing on the couch . . .

. . . relaxing on the rug . . .

. . . and relaxing with mugs of hot chocolate. All with some very fine company.

On January second it was time to load up the car and drive home. The car ride back TO Colorado was considerably more bearable that the car ride FROM Colorado. Let's do a comparison:

FROM Colorado:
- stretches of road with ice and snow
- a baby who refused to nap in her car seat and eventually got so worked up she threw up on herself
- 4 poopy diapers
- Febreze purchased from a gas station to try and cover up the stench
- 2 Happy Meals with fairy toys
- spilled milk
- "Frozen" DVD
- a faucet-like nose on my face, which I resorted to mopping up with paper towels because I misplaced my tissues
- 17 hours total travel time

TO Colorado:
- clear roads
- a baby who agreed to take four short naps in her car seat and only threw mild fits (none of which involved vomit)
- a baby who just learned how to play "peek-a-boo" by covering up her face, then emerging triumphantly to say: "Dashee!" ("There she is!")
- 2 poopy diapers
- 2 Happy Meals with fairy toys
- spilled milk
- "Frozen" DVD
- a box of Kleenex with aloe, only occasionally used
- 15 hours total travel time

"Where's Paula?"

"There she is!"

Happy New Year!