Christmas Adventures part 2 - The Dalton Gang

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Christmas morning it was off to the Dalton family Christmas.  It was wonderful, the entire family was there.

The cousins: Dalton, Elizabeth, Allie and boyfriend Aaron, Micayla, and Victoria.

Ready for the party!

 With cousin Elizabeth.  She brought a play dog that barked and moved - a huge hit with Ava!

Spending time and opening gifts with Aunt Jill...

Ava loved the doggies, especially Bella.  They were instant best friends!

 Loving on Papa Dalton....these two LOVE each other!

Head bump...

with Uncle Mark

Good food, great company - can you ask for more??

We stayed the night at a local hotel.  It had a jetted tub in the room, and Ava got to enjoy it before bedtime.  The jets were a little intimidating at first, but once she realized they were harmless she walked from jet to jet, giggling the whole time.

In the morning we met our dear friends Dave and Roxie Ward for breakfast.  Dave and Josh have been friends since Josh was in college, and Dave mentored us through our engagement and then married us in July 2004.  Needless to say, the Wards have a special place in our hearts.

Dave with Ava

Ava with Roxie

We also were able to see our cousins Dusty and Amy, and their amazing little guys Asher and Silas, as well as my Aunt Dianna and cousin Candace.  Love, love, love this family.  They are some of the most amazing people I have ever met, and it was just wonderful to catch up.  Unfortunately, Ava had a high fever and slept through almost the entire morning.  (But no worries, she is thankfully feeling great now!)

We then spent the rest of the afternoon back at the Pederson's home, spending the remainder of the day with family, including Josh's brother, Keith, and sister, Tori.  Along with some of their family, they drove all the way from St. Louis to see us.  We had a wonderful time catching up with everyone before we headed back to KC.

Keith, Tori, Jill, Elizabeth, Dalton

Me, Josh, and Ava, with Tori and Keith

Kirth and Nickie with Tori and Keith

Siblings: Josh, Nickie, Keith, Tori, and Jill

Josh and Keith

Josh and Keith with George

Tori and Jill with Pat

Showing her Nana Pat her tummy....

Ava opened her last gift...clothes from Aunt Nickie.  Who would have thought this was one of her favorite gifts?  After she sorted through everything, she held different pieces up to her saying "I like it" and "I wear it." Oh my, I think we have a little fashionista on our hands.

 

Family: Elizabeth, Dalton, Jill, Ava, and Josh

 After we returned home Ava had her gift from us to open....

 

A play kitchen!  Completed by pots and pans and play food from Grandma and Grandpa Pasek.

What a great time to spend with those whom we love, and celebrating our Savior's birth.  From our family to yours, we hope that your Christmas was filled with blessings and love, and that this new year is even better than the last.

Christmas Adventures part 1 - The Pasek part

First stop on our epic Christmas tour: Grandma and Grandpa Pasek's house.

 Checking out the Pasek Christmas tree and all the ornaments....

Ringing the bell - first time she said "bell" too!

Aunt Dena came by to visit, and brought presents. She might win a "best gift-giver" award - she always finds presents that are awesome, and Christmas was no exception.

For whatever reason, she felt like she needed to climb on the box and sit on it - not sure if she thought it was supposed to move... 

[Here is the tent from Dena in full form at our house...IT IS AWESOME!]

 New Alphabet letters for the fridge.

 Uncle Bryan even made it home for the holidays!

(PS: She wasn't feeling very well at this time.  She was battling a fever most of the weekend, and this was just around the time that it started.)

We opened gifts on Christmas Eve, until Ava had enough and it was time for bed.  She figured out how to open the presents immediately, and would bring the boxes to us and ask "open"?  I am pretty sure that she loved opening them more than she wanted what was inside.  Either way, it was so fun to watch!

 The big surprise...a 4-wheeler from Uncle B!!

Uncle B putting it together...

 The adults showing Ava how it works....awesome!  She was a little unsure at first and took a bit of coaxing...

 But she soon got the hang of it and was driving all over the house.  That is, until she drove it up the wall and fell off the back.  Here, Ava tells of her near-death experience....

 Cuddling with Grandma...

Christmas day, we woke up and finished opening gifts at Grandma and Grandpa Pasek's house.  

This was my baby doll cradle when I was little.  My dad made it for me, and now we get to pass it on to Ava.

Then it was off to Aunt Nickie and Uncle Kirth's house...and Christmas with the Dalton family.  Good thing we have Elmo on DVD to keep Ava happy with all the traveling.  And as you remember, the girl loves her Elmo.  (Note to self: If a trip lasts longer than an hour, picking up a few extra Elmo DVDs at the library would be a great idea if you would rather not watch the 45 minute Elmo DVD over, and over, and over again.  Josh and I know all about jackets, hats, and shoes now.)