Wow! I can't believe how fast 3 1/2 weeks can fly by! It seems like we just got home, and then we turned around to come back to Germany... Craziness!
We had such a wonderful time being home for the holidays!! It was great to see and spend time with all of our family and friends again! We definitely kept ourselves busy while we were home... Between driving all over the state visiting family and friends, dinner dates with friends and family, shopping trips (and there were many of those! :)), preparing for the holidays, celebrating the holidays, trying to get things done at our house (in preparation for our move back in July), lots and lots of trips to Beaners (love that place! :)), a bridal show (love the cake samples! :)), a bar crawl, Brian's many trips to the gun stores and shooting ranges, a birthday party, a funeral, a trip to Chuck E Cheese, a night out at Na-Tah-Ka, sledding with Kaden, watching MSU get trounced in their bowl game (grrrr!)... And the list could go on and on! :)
It was definitely good to be home and surrounded by all of the people we love! :) So, rather than me droning on and on about everything we tried to do while we were home, why don't you check out some of our favorite moments from our trip... Enjoy!
Upon arriving in northern Michigan, I headed out to the malls (of course! :)), while Brian headed out to Ludington Beach for some photo ops... :)
We celebrated my sister's birthday (only a few days late!) :)
We hung out with Kaden! :)
My friends, Renee and Kory, organized a Christmas Bar Crawl in honor of Brian and I! :) She bought the shirts for all of us as well... Aren't they cute?! :)
Our friends, Sherry and Billy, also joined in on the fun! :)
We had lots of fun at Chuck E Cheese with Kaden! :)
Brian was even getting in on the fun! :)
... and Kaden wanted to join in too! :)
Too cute!!
We spent an evening at Na-Tah-Ka... Always a fun time! :)
Me and my sis! :)
Fun times at Na-Tah-Ka! :)
Look at that face! How can you not adore this little guy?! :)
We took advantage of all the snow, and took Kaden sledding... I'm not sure who had more fun, us or him! :)
Kaden helping with the Christmas Eve baking extravaganza! :)
Guess who dressed up as Santa again this year?! :)
What a sweet uncle!!
Instead of milk and cookies, this Santa prefers a nice, cold beer! :)
Kaden was so excited to see Santa standing on top of the roof as we pulled into the driveway on Christmas Eve!! Look at that smile! :)
Seeing this Christmas display at my parents' house always brings back so many wonderful Christmas memories! :)
I absolutely love my parents' Christmas trees... They're always so festive and pretty! :)
Family portrait time! :)
The whole fam...
The siblings... :)
Mom and Dad...
I love this picture! :)
Stacy and Scott with Kaden and Kyle...
Yep, there was a big surprise on Christmas Eve this year... These two got engaged! Yay! :)
Me and my adorable hubby! :)
Shortly after Scott popped the question... Congrats you two!! :)
Bumblebee and Ironman...
a.k.a. Kaden and I on Christmas morning! :)
On Christmas Day we headed down to Detroit for the week, where we were able to meet up with some friends, Jen and Hans, whom we haven't seen in a very long while! We had such a fun time hanging out with them! :) Meanwhile, Brian had to show off his new toy... His Colt AR 15, which was his Christmas present to himself this year... In the meantime, I got new Uggs! :)
Boys and their toys... :)
Brian at the shooting range testing out his new gun...
We celebrated Keira's 6th Birthday!
Cooper was helping Keira with the presents... :)
Carlee wanted to try on Keira's new shirt... Imagine all the clothes they'll be able to share once they're older! :)
After the presents were opened, the kids headed downstairs to play a little Rock Band...
Lauren rockin' out on the guitar!
Ashley rockin' out as well!
We celebrated NYE with our friends Mike, Steph, Jen, and Hans... Just like we used to before we all moved into completely different directions! :)
The guys...
Happy New Year! :)
On New Year's Day, we headed to Lansing to watch MSU play in their bowl game... Unfortunately, they didn't do so hot!
Exploring the area around my house in northern Michigan... So pretty with all of the fresh snow! :)
And, Brian wanted me to get in on the action with his new gun before we headed back to Germany... I was definitely not as excited about it as he was... :)
... but, in doing so, I realized that my shot isn't half bad! :)
Hanging out with my favorite little man before we headed back...
This little guy makes me almost burst with happiness! :)
(Can you tell I'm a proud aunt?! :))
And, before I close... We'd like to wish a Happy New Year to all of our dear readers! We wish you a happy, healthy, and fulfilling new year!! :)
