Topeka Christmas

Topeka got snow on Monday the 16th. The kids were super excited and couldn't wait to play in snow when we arrived. It warmed up a lot throughout the week and I was worried it would all be melted by the time we arrived. I told the kids not to plan on snow so when Friday rolled around and we arrived to snow in the shaded area of Gma and Gpa's yard, the kids were overjoyed. It worked out perfectly because it was decently warm while playing in the snow. The only part of it that was cold was when the snow melted into your shoes and gloves. For the most part it was in the upper 30's and the 40's for our play in the snow. Saturday morning Ty took the kids exploring in the woods while I ran and then we played in the snow when I got back. The kids went sledding with sleds Leina borrowed from the neighbors. Carter was determined to make a snowman and I was impressed that he was able to do so with the little bit of snow available. Some other fun from the day was Leina and both the girls wearing curlers in their hair that morning. Elise saw Amanda's nail wraps and wanted to try one. Once Amanda got it on her finger, Elise decided she didn't like it and ripped it off. It eventually went on Kinley instead who kept holding her hand out to admire her fingernail. That evening I was making mashed potatoes to go with dinner and Elise and Wyatt both wanted to help me. I set them up peeling potatoes. Elise was very carefully peeling her potatoes and Wyatt was repeatedly stabbing his potato over and over with the peeler. Eventually he broke it in half and excitedly exclaimed, "I killed the potato!" That's when I realized he'd misunderstood what I said and thought we were killing the potatoes, not peeling them!

Elise loved feeding Kinley!

Sunday morning we had breakfast with Gigi and Papa as well as Uncle Kelly. After breakfast we opened presents from Gigi, Papa, and Kelly. Kelly got lottery scratchers for everyone. There weren't enough coins for everyone to scratch so Carter went and got a knife instead. Wyatt saw him so he ran and got a knife to use as well. He had trouble with the knife so he then switched to scratching with a large serving fork. Later he decided to sit on my lap while he finished scratching his card and every time he'd scratch off a number, he'd yell out that he won. It was the cutest and I felt like I was a winner since he was sitting in my lap. That evening we went to visit Grandpa Shupe. The kids enjoyed taking him for a walk in his wheelchair and took turns "pushing" him. Afterward we visited Gma Shupe at home. We lucked out to arrive while Ty's Uncle Marty and cousins were finishing up a visit and got to see them as well. It was a busy, full day. The kids were worn out by the time we arrived home.

We did our family Christmas on Monday. We started the morning with presents from Gma and Gpa and presents for kids from us and Paul and Amanda. Carter and Elise were super excited about their remote control cars from Paul and Amanda. Elise got a jewelry box and clip on earrings which she adored. At one point during the day Kinley reached for some earrings and wanted to look at them so Elise put some on her ears and she did not like that one bit! She just wanted to look at them. I was thrilled to get some pictures of Elise and Kinley together in their matching jammies that Elise picked out at Sam's during a shopping trip. The rest of the day was spent playing outside with remote control cars on a beautifully warm day! That evening we made chocolates which is always a hit with the kids. Earlier in the trip Carter was telling Gma how his favorite thing he does with her and Gpa is making chocolates. We had such a wonderful day and our trip was such a joy. It is always hard to leave, knowing it will be months before we see our sweet niece and nephew again. We had to leave earlier on Tuesday since it was Christmas Eve and we wanted to make it home in time to get to church at 5:00 for Christmas Eve service.