Days with the Jensens: Christmas Festivities

We were so excited to travel to Kentucky this year for Christmas. It had been two years since we had been there for the holiday since last year I couldn't travel because I was pregnant. For the first time ever, I mean in his whole life, we were at Spencer's parent's house to celebrate with his side of the family. His family has always gone to the grandparent's homes in Central Kentucky so his mom was super happy to finally have everyone gathered together at her house for Christmas. We had such a good time with everyone there. We attempted to put Carter, Ella Ann and Seth together on their cots in a little room but by 8:30 p.m. on our first night there we had to separate them all. They were just way to excited to be together to bother with sleep! Gayla had food galore for us and we were never lacking for something wonderful to eat each and every day! We opened presents Wednesday morning (we arrived Tuesday afternoon) and the kids enjoyed playing with all their new toys and they did a great job sharing. Rane enjoyed all the yummy paper, bows and boxes....no big surprise there. We had to make a barricade all around the tree because he kept eating ornaments.

One evening before dinner we drove down to downtown Owensboro and checked out their Winter Wonderland. It was a bunch of carnival rides, an ice skating rink, carnival food and Santa. The kids were in heaven! They rode three rides, which they all loved and squealed with glee the entire time and they sat on Santa's lap one last time before Christmas. It was quite chilly that night so it was great to come home and eat hot soup and sandwiches. Ahhhh! Spencer's Nanny came to visit on Christmas Eve and stayed that night. I know she really enjoyed seeing her great grandchildren run around like crazy and Ella Ann got to play her new Rummikub game with her as well.

After loading up the car with only half of the stuff we accumulated, we drove west to my parent's house Christmas morning. I'm sure they didn't sleep a wink the night before we arrived because they were so excited to give Ella Ann and Rane their presents! We did our stockings as soon as we arrived and then after Rane's morning nap and lunch we hit the presents. They kids got all kinds of fun toys and pretty clothes but Ella Ann's favorite presents had to have been her Snow White costume that she has been asking Santa for forever, two princess snow globes and an umbrella. She was perfectly happy playing with those things the entire time we were there. Ohh...and jumping on top of my dad in his recliner each waking moment...that was probably the best for her.

My Mom and Dad got a new kitten about two weeks before we got there so that was the highlight for us. Ella Ann named him Sebastian after the lobster in "The Little Mermaid." He is so sweet! He is such a docile kitten (strange) and he allowed Ella Ann to cart him around wherever she wanted to go and would sleep on her lap. It was precious. I watched "Marry Poppins" with Ella Ann (she LOVED it which made me super happy since it's my favorite Disney movie) and Sebastian slept in her lap or on her chest for the entire two hours. Unfortunately he licked her face one time and she broke out in hives like she did when she ate peanut butter one time so off Sebastian went. Not good.

We enjoyed lots and lots of good food at my parent's house as well. One evening we played the dice game, Left, Right, Center and yelled and laughed for hours! We had so much fun playing that game with them! Spencer left Sunday morning and I stayed with the kids until Tuesday, when my parents drove us home and then they turned around and drove all the way back to their house the same day.

We had such a fun Christmas. Both kids did so great with being in the car for a long time, sleeping in different rooms, playing, eating, etc. It was fantastic and we are sad to be home...especially me since I hate unpacking and the obscene amount of belongings we acquired along the way are not fun to find new places for in our home! Of course we are talking about me, though, so you know it's already done and everything is in place! Thanks again to our family who did so much for us! We appreciate all the wonderful food, good times and presents!

Below are some pictures for my parents since they cannot view my pics on Facebook. Otherwise, click HERE to see all of them.

Riding a reinder ride at Winter Wonderland in Owensboro.

With Santa at Winter Wonderland.

With her new umbrella Santa brought.

Don't ask.

Playing with sweet Sebastian.

Rocky, Sebastian and Dad.

Modeling yet another new outfit!

Loving the new Snow White costume!

This is what Ella Ann did every day all day at my parent's house: 1) Line up princess snow globes, 2) Press buttons to make them play music 3) Run around in circles in the living room until the music stops and 4) Repeat.