On New Years weekend we made a trip to St. Louis to celebrate Christmas with all of our family there. Our trip had many fun parts:

Part 1: On Friday night we went to Uncle Steve and Aunt Shelley's house and had a delicious dinner followed by much fellowship and present opening. Grandma Muhleman always makes a ton of Christmas cookies (with the help of Aunt Shelley) and both Julianne and Lorelei enjoyed one her giant gingerbread men that she is famous for making. Both girls played Grandma Muhleman's organ (with a little bit of help) and then Julianne initiated a time of singing Christmas carols old and new (the new ones were creations of Julianne). It was such a sweet time with this family!

Part 2: Saturday morning we woke up and after a lazy morning of sleeping and getting breakfast ready we had a late breakfast of egg casserole, yogurt parfaits, and blueberry muffins. After filling our tummies we sat around the living room and opened gifts. The girls favorite gifts were babies from Mimi and Grandma Northrip and a pillow that Aunt Sarah made for Lorelei. Julianne and Lorelei really enjoyed spending time with Mimi, Uncle Andy and Aunt Sarah (Stephen and I did too!).

Part 3: On Sunday morning Stephen had the opportunity to preach at the church we were members of in St. Louis before we moved to Louisville. He did a great job teaching us from the book of Revelation. After lunch at Qudoba with many friends and family, we went back to Papa and Gigi's house and had nap time for the kids. After naps we opened gifts with this part of our family. Julianne and Lorelei loved getting to play with their cousin, Ethan and the three of them enjoyed playing in a huge wrapped box, playing the piano, and banging on Gigi's drums. We had a great time with Papa, Gigi, Uncle Jason, Aunt Laura, and Ethan!

Here are some pictures from all our festivities!


Part 1: Julianne and her giant gingerbread man


Part 1: Lorelei playing the organ with the help of Aunt Shelley


Part 1: Peter and Julianne playing with the manger scene


Part 1: Great Grandma Muhleman helping Julianne play the organ


Part 1: Julianne and Lorelei trying out their new dresses from Uncle Steve, Aunt Shelley, and Peter


Part 1: Peter got a cinnamon roll for dessert and both of the girls climbed up on the couch with him and Uncle Steve


Part 1: Lorelei really enjoyed a scotcharoo


Part 2: Brunch with the Bryant side of the family


Part 2: Julianne handed out all of the presents - she's gotten really good at recognizing printed names


Part 2: Mimi got a new ornament


Part 2: Aunt Sarah sewed this beautiful pillow for Lorelei


Part 2: Great Grandma Northrip sent gifts and Lorelei got her own Bitty Baby


Part 2: Julianne got a Bitty Baby as well from Great Grandma Northrip


Part 2: Lorelei loves her new pillow and she laid it down on top of the new wii Mimi got us for Christmas


Part 2: The baby count after two Christmas celebrations (5) - after Lorelei's birthday and Christmas with the Mobleys it went up to 11 - good thing we have two girls that LOVE baby dolls


Part 2: These girls love their Uncle Andy and Aunt Sarah!


Part 3: All three cousins eating breakfast with Gigi


Part 3: Ethan playing the piano - All three cousins loved playing the piano and the drums


Part 3: Julianne and Gigi playing in the giant box


Part 3: Papa and Julianne snuggling


Part 3: Ethan in his new Tiny Toms


Part 3: Uncle Jason and Ethan opening a dump truck


Part 3: Aunt Laura read a book to Ethan and Julianne


Part 3: Lorelei was really excited about this gift


Part 3: Ethan, Lorelei, and Julianne enjoyed playing in the bean box we gave Ethan


Part 3: Ethan enjoyed riding in a box


Part 3: Gigi read Julianne some of her new Berenstein Bear books from Uncle Ryan


Part 3: There was no snow, but that didnt' stop Julianne from sledding down the hill in a box


Part 3: Mimi came to visit us one last time before we left