Nebraska recap #2

This was taken on the way home from NE, Kella is always so amazed and looks for these fields of gi-norm-ous windmills. To make this L.O.N.G road trip a little more exciting, we decided to detour off on a dirt road to take a closer peek. The pic doesn't do these massive turbines justice, but K sure liked it. It was a little chilly (and really windy), so we only got a couple shots.
Kella was having a little fun with the camera & captured some pretty good shots of the day...not sure if you can tell, but Ryan props her leg on her armrest whenever we're in the car for any period of time...so cute!

We had gotten a pretty cool toy in our lunch from a bag, so I was trying to entertain by shooting it across the dash - again, Kella using her photog skills...

Ryan sittin belly-up at the bar...She thought it was pretty funny too!!!

Santa just happen to know the girls would be a Grandma Dottie's & Poppo's house that night and left new bikes for all the girls on the front porch!!! Thanks Santa!!!!

She's legal in Nebraska!!!

Ahhh, the wonder of color. This present was a big hit - Color Wonder paint set! Thanks everybody!

Playing dress-up (of course) at Tori & Bethany's house

We had a slumber party one night & Grandma & Poppo were so sweet to give up their bed so the girls could watch a flick. Up until this point Kella has had an obsession with Cinderella and hadn't even seen the movie until this night! She was hooked, to say the least!

Grandma got the girls lots of fun art projects for c-mas. These paintable bracelets were just some of their fancy creations!

Sledding in Nebraska

Yet again, I'm soooo late. As I was looking back at pictures from Dec, I realized I've yet to post pics of our c-mas trip to Nebraska.
We'd been at Kipp's parents for about 3 days and there hadn't been a drop of snow. With 2 new sleds waiting patiently to be broke in, we prayed daily for some sort of slippery, winter mix. As our last day was fast approaching we woke to this winter wonderland which had Kella grinning from ear to ear!
While Ryan napped in her soft, WARM bed, Kipp & I took Kella & our 2 nieces to Brickyard for some major sled action!
Here's the girls on the way there...

Trying once...

Twice....

Aaaaand we're up!

Kella had a mouthful of snow every time we stopped for a photo

Sweet cousins!

Riding with mom! Notice I didn't pack my snow suit...oh well!

This is my favorite pic...ever! I wish you could see more of Tori, AND I wish this pic had audio. These girls screamed the entire way down the hill each.and.every.time!!! Sooo fun!!!

They rode every which way we could come up with...

Once we got Kella to go on her belly she wouldn't go any other way.

Christmas iin Oklahoma...

When we pulled into town, we quickly got bundled up & headed to Ft. Smith to meet my good friend, Jana & her family for a train ride in the park ...we quickly learned it was already closed...boooo! Not to be discouraged (and let hopeful kids down), we found an alternate. Instead of an actual train, the fireman of Liberty did a fantastic job of turning a 4-wheeler into their version of a train! I just love Oklahoma!!!
We had just as much fun, got to spend time with a dear friend, drink hot chocolate & look at lights.... perfect!!!
Jana looked fantastic!!! Her hair is starting to grow back, she's recovering from a final surgery, is back at work and was in the best spirits!!!!

Mom couldn't resist giving the girls more presents to open when we got there...

Christmas Eve at my Grannie's...

My Aunt Kathy will probably kill me for posting this, but HOW could I resist!!!! And, NO! that isn't her hair. My cousin, Clint, who is follically challenged wears this visor with a built-in do!

Kella & Gabriel

Here's the little ones opening their gift...

Kella getting Princess & the Frog movie

And her princess book with mini cd player

This was too funny...

Ryan received a HUGE teddy bear, which she, well, you can judge by her reaction...

hugs...

more hugs...

Aunt Wanda's family. Our biggest bunch - 2 kids, 4 grand kids (1 not pictured) & 3 great-grand kids (1 not pictured).

Uncle Jimmie's family. These pictures are always the hardest to take. Such a reminder of who is missing...our sweet Matthew!

Aunt Kathy & Uncle Tommy. Their boys were at their in-laws & working. Missed them both this year.

Our family...missing Bran & his family (sniff)

The 4 girls always get a gift from their brother & his family. This year was picture collages filled with old pictures of their parents, Grannie & Papa Dale.