Road Trip!

The next morning we woke early for the ten and a half hour drive to visit our family in Kansas. Hannah and Caleb were SO wonderful in the car.  There were lots of snacks and movies watched, but minimal whining and only three short stops, we made it in record time!  

We were met with much excitement by Emma, Gracie, and Abby.  Hannah and Caleb LOVE LOVE LOVE their cousins and we always have such a wonderful time when we are all together. Because everyone had to wait to open presents, as soon as we arrived it was time to get into the fun!  

Mimi and Papa with their five little monkeys...Gracie (5), Abby (7), Emma (2), Hannah (3) , Caleb (1)...

 Caleb loved being pulled around in the dolly wagon :).  Being the only boy didn't seem to bother him in the least!

 The weather was beautiful while we were there and we took a road trip to Crown Center Plaza to do some ice skating and to go to Kaleidoscope for some coloring and painting.  The kids had a lot of fun...and so did the parents.  Tim helping Gracie keep her balance and footing...

 Abby did a great job and after only a few times around with Uncle Craig, she was confident enough to try it by herself!

 Hannah was a little reluctant at first, she takes a while to get acclimated to new things (much like her momma), but after a while we convinced her to go around with mommy and daddy.  She really enjoyed the adventure!

 The whole gang!  Mimi and Papa were nice enough to entertain Caleb while we were skating and chaperone the snack area--there isn't one Burkhalter trip too big or too small in which you don't need a snack!!!

 Kaleidoscope...where you are able to paint, color, tape, cut, all you want.  The kids had a great time being creative and sharing that time together.

 After a few days in Kansas we all headed to Missouri to spend some time at Mimi and Papa's house and to share some time with Great Grandpa Art.  The train table was a big hit!

We had an absolutely amazing Christmas season.  We loved seeing all of our family, spending time in fellowship together, and eating lots of delicious things.  We are so humbled during this time of year as we celebrate the birth of our Savior and with His birth we are able to experience the greatest gift that could have ever been given to us, something that we have free to share each and every day of our lives, the light and the love of Christ who was born just so that we could each be saved and have eternal life. It is fun to give the perfect gift to someone we love...just imagine how much pleasure our God gets when we share the gift of His son with someone.  May this next year bring so many opportunities for each one of us to do just that.  I thank God for each one of you who spends the time reading these blogs.  Merry Christmas and a very blessed New Year!

Christmas Morning...

Santa did come during the night and left some great treats for all of us!!!

Just waking up...

 So exciting!!!

 Caleb loved throwing the balls of paper most of all!

 Hannah opening up her stocking stuffers...

 And her present from Caleb--a horn for her big girl bike!

 Craig and his Kindle.  He also got a PS3 and a remote control helicopter and car...we joked he got a lot of the same gifts a 7 year old kid would.  I guess that's what keeps us feeling young :).

 Caleb opening up his super soft pillow pet...

Then, it was time to have some brunch and head to grandma and grandpa's...

Over the river and through the woods...to Grandmother's house we go...

Time for the Terpstra celebration to begin.  We had a delicious meal followed by a lot of fun opening presents, but first, some family pics...

Aunt Kristen, Cousin Amos, and Uncle Curt

 The whole clan...all looking!!!

 Caleb, Grandma, Grandpa, Hannah

 Merry Christmas!

 Aunt Kristen opening up a gift from Hannah...her very own juggling balls.  We uncovered this gift of Kristen's during Hannah's third birthday party and Hannah thought it was very neat...

 So we got her some balls so she can juggle whenever she wants :).

 Best buds...

'Twas the night before Christmas...

All dressed up and ready for church.  We went to the 3:00 service, had dinner, and were home in time to set out some special things for Santa and read The Night Before Christmas.  When we were leaving dinner and walking to the car and talking to Hannah about how we had to get home and go to bed so Santa could come, we looked up in the sky and saw twinkling lights traveling through the air.  Hannah got so excited and made us hurry home because she just KNEW it was Santa!!!  It was very precious and something I will never forget!

Hannah, at 3, thought this Christmas was the best!

Reading The Night Before Christmas in our matching Christmas jammies handmade by Grandma!

Cookies and milk for Santa...

Writing Santa a note before bed...

Such an exciting time for the kiddos...even though I had trouble sleeping with all of the excitement, we finally gave in and woke them up the next morning to start the festivities!  

Visiting Santa...

It was the perfect night to go and visit Santa.  We went to the mall, changed the kid's clothes, and went to stand in line for our turn with the most perfect Santa.  Hannah was so excited as we had been talking a lot about him and our Elf, Pierre, was making trips back and forth every night telling Santa all about Hannah and Caleb.  Hannah sat down to write some notes to him as Caleb watch and learned.

Hannah absolutely loved Santa...Caleb--well, not so much...

Hannah giving him her WHOLE list which included a bounce house and a new baby doll.

Santa, doing his job and making sure she had been a good girl all year...

A loving hug of two new friends!

Our 2011 family pics...