Pennsylvania and some homemade pumpkin pie

I know Christmas was already a few weeks ago, but I am finally sitting down and sorting through our photos from our time in Pennsylvania. It felt so good and comfortable to be back home, and we really enjoyed our time with Steve's parents, brothers, nieces, and my parents as well. 

Of course we like our new life in Indiana, but every time I saw our old house, I just about burst into tears. We left behind so much in our big move.

It takes us about 9 hours (including stops) to get to PA. Here we were at a rest stop, and August was taking his turn at the wheel. :)

We made it to Grandma and Grandpa's house, and the older kids played Monopoly until their attention spans faded.

We exchanged gifts with Steve's side on Christmas Eve Eve.

The Legos came out of their boxes quickly! I can't believe how good the kids all are at building.

Uncle Phil and Aunt Dana got August a xylophone, and he wasted no time showing us how it's done.

Our sweet third baby does a great job at going-with-the-flow when it comes to nap time. Knock on wood, he still easily falls asleep in the car.

While we were in PA, it seemed like August learned to do a lot of new things all at once. Here he is showing us "SO BIG!"

On Christmas Eve, we ate our traditional ham and rice pudding dinner with my mom and Don, and we opened presents with them.

The Christmas Eve service at church is always so special. We sing"Silent Night" with everyone holding candles, all in a huge circle around the sanctuary. It always is a little nerve-wracking to give three-year-olds candles, haha.

The boys on Christmas morning at MorMor and Papa Don's house, opening up Cars' "Miss Fritter" and "Rusty and Dusty" from Santa. They were super happy!

Christmas Day is also Uncle Phil's birthday, so here the kids are singing to him and helping blow out the candles on his birthday brownies.

Grandpa and Grandma Zimm with their seven grandchildren. :)

August was trying to play with N's beautiful curly hair, and when she moved away from him, he took two steps toward her!

He waited a long time for his first Christmas! Our Christmas tree was still up when he was born last year.

Three bros.

Phil and Dana stayed in a hotel, so we went with them to check out the pool. Nolan had fun going down a water slide for the first time!

Ivy was happy to spend some time with us. We miss her very much, but she is doing well in her new home with my in-laws.

My mom found us matching mother-daughter jammies. Maybe this can be a new tradition? :)

It was such a wonderful Christmas, and we were thankful to spend an entire week with our family and friends. We celebrated August's first birthday with a little party while we were there, and I'll get those photos up next!

xo,

Rachel