Christmas 2009

I can't believe it's been over 1 week now that we left to spend the Holidays in Michigan. On Tuesday, we woke at 3am to catch a 7am flight out of Phoenix. We didn't see much snow there (which is okay with me), but my blood is NOT use to the colder temperatures anymore.

Nicole spent Wednesday morning with her friend, Allie, and went to the indoor Warren pool. They have a kiddie section, lap pool, swimming section, diving section, lazy river and various slides. It brought back alot of memories for her because this is where she took her toddler swim lessons. Now, she can touch the bottom and go on the tallest of the waterslides. She had a blast. Thank you Laura and family!

Later in the evening we met up with our friends the Deliktas and Humperts. Played an hour of Wallyball. Wallyball is a version of Volleyball, but you are inside a racquetball court. So instead of the ball going out of bounds, when it hits a side or your own backwall, it is back in play. It is a much much faster game and is all about anticipation. Nicole played once before here in AZ. All the kids are around the same age and loved it. We use to play competitive wallyball in my younger 20s with these friends. That was when I could handle the body slams against the walls. I'm still trying to heal a shoulder injury that is 2 months old when I took Nicole.
Afterwards, we enjoyed dinner at the Deliktas and rocked out to Dan's early xmas gift....Beatles Rock Band. You can tell Dan thoroughly enjoys this gift! Another late night as we didn't leave until 1 am.

Thursday was Christmas Eve. My sister Rose and her family traveled from the Chicago area. Friday was Christmas Day. Had the traditional breakfast at Mom's with both sisters (Rose and Fran) and their families. Opened a ton of gifts and wasn't quite sure how I was going to pack everything to come home. But I did it! Ate again and again. Played a few gift exchange games and laughed our hearts out.

Saturday met up with most of my first cousins on my Mom's side of the family and their children for lunch. I can't believe how different the kids look after 2 years. Then headed over to my in-laws, Chris & Heidi's, house. Mom Donnelly made it down from up north to join us (Thank you Chris and Pat). We only had 2 of Dan's siblings missing.

Sunday, Nicole met up with her friend, Kara, from our old neighborhood for a couple of hours and then we proceeded to the airport. Since we were leaving out of Detroit Metro which had 2 airline scares, we arrived 4 hours early (Ugh). We opened up our presents to each other and from Santa. Finally hit our OWN beds at 2 am. You'll have to watch the whole video to see what Nicole's special present from Santa was.

Thank you to everyone in Michigan for a memorable vacation!