M and L with cousin Brittian

 stealing Grandma's breakfast

 horsie rides with Richard from Uncle Dave

 kids table- best idea ever

 David's family

 Andrew's family

 favorite Christmas present of the night

 day before the stitches came out

 Aunt Steph coloring with Jalynn, Brit, and Richard

 looking at the ornaments

 best picture I could get- Maddie refused to wear pants

 story time

 two pretty fairies playing the piano and singing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

 "helping" Grandma

We had such a great visit to my parents' house the day after Christmas.  I made the drive with the girls, and Chris flew in a couple days later.  Even though my dad was recovering from his knee surgery M and L were able to safely give him some love.  I was pretty nervous about how they wild they would be around him, but they did really well.  I told them about 100 times before we went to Illinois that Grandpa had a big boo boo, and we had to be super careful.  They thought if we took him Dora band-aids that he would get all better. 

David and his family were in from Iowa, and Stephanie was down from Chicago.  It was great to have all of the family there together.  We don't get to do that too often.  My mom cooked up some fantastic meals.  I seriously have never seen the girls eat so good.  Apparently I need to be asking her for some of her recipes.  They asked for seconds on most occasions which is rare- unless it is fruit or dessert.  The kids helped Grandma do some cooking and cleaning, too.

We also opened presents for one last round of Christmas.  Poor M and L, when we got back to New Albany they were looking under our tree again to see what was next to open.  I know they thought Christmas would go on forever.

Dad turned 60 two days after Christmas.  He is officially as old as my mom.  Her 60th was in September, and he tells her almost every day between their birthdays that he is younger.  Stephanie and I were sent to pick up his birthday cake.  The shop was closed, so we had to settle for one from the bakery at the local Kroger.  Some hilbily wrote on it for us (he didn't work in the bakery, I think maybe he was just cleaning in that area).  It was supposed to say "Happy 60th Good Lookin'"- at my dad's request.  Somehow it ended up saying "Hoppy 60th Good Lookn."  Classic.  At least it tasted good.  Hopefully the candles on it still produced a good birthday wish.