Christmas 2011

It sure didnt feel like Christmas time here in South Africa.  It was hot and we were wearing shorts and flip flops.  It was really weird to go into stores and shop for summer clothes with Christmas music playing over the speakers.  It just didnt seem right.  I wanted snow, fires in the fireplace and hot chocolate! We were counting down the days until we got to fly home to the US.  But we really wanted to get a Christmas card done, so we had a little photo shoot with Kinley.  Lee did a great job and we got some really cute ones.

This is the one we actually used for the card! Oh, that face!

All she wanted to do was eat her shoes

We were too late in getting the picture, but it would have been cute.  Kinley LOVES Rugby.  Unfortunately, Rugby is not that interested in her.  So this is Rugby about to bolt away. 

So the day to come home finally came.  We were very nervous about the plane ride with Kinley.  Fortunately we got the bassinet seat so she had a little bed to sleep in.  She slept pretty well, only cried a little bit and people by us on the plane were grateful for that.  We had to be at the airport 3 hours early, then it was a 16 hour flight to Atlanta, 3 hour layover there, then an hour flight to Memphis.  She did great except when we got on the plane in Atlanta.  She SCREAMED the entire way to Memphis.  I am so glad it was that flight and not the one from SA though.

So remember that snow, fires and hot chocolate I was talking about?  My dreams were crushed!  It wasnt even that cold in the US!  I was so disappointed!  But dont worry, it snowed a few days after we got back to South Africa!  WHAT BAD LUCK!!

It was great to be with the Carnell family.  They were so excited to have Kinley there and Mimi (Lee's mom) really helped with the jet lag situation.  We were exhausted, so she got up with Kinley in the middle of the night almost every night we were there.  What a nice person.  I dont think I am that nice.  Not sure there is anyone I would do that for!!  Maybe when I am a grandma.  They had all kinds of fun toys there for her to play with and it was nice for her to spend time with them.  Kinley's great grandparents, Jane and Ola, came down to meet her and spend a few days with her.  They just thought she was the "sweetest thang!" Jane has the cutest southern accent so just imagine her saying it!  They all gave her some really great toys for Christmas that she loves to play with!  Keeps her entertained for hours!

Kinley and Ola

The Jane's together for the first time!

We got some cute pictures taken of Kinley in Memphis that I will post later!

Then it was off to Tulsa to see the Turner clan.  All 19 of us were there, plus extended family too, so it was a full house and lots of fun.  Unfortunately I got sick the last day in Memphis and was sick for about 5 days in Tulsa, so I was miserable and no fun! Then as soon as I got better, Lee got sick.  Luckily Kinley stayed healthy!

Kinley's 9 cousins were SO excited to see her and fought over her the entire time we were there.  I think Claire gets the prize for holding her the most though.  She even told me she is "obsessed with Kinley!"  So it was really fun and cute to watch all of them with her.  They were so good at playing with her and spending time with her.  Even the boys wanted to hold her and play with her.  She thought Bryce was the funniest person in the world and would just laugh and laugh at him.  We had been there several days before they even knew she could sit up by herself.  They all held her and passed her back and forth constantly that they didnt even know she had any tricks!!

On Christmas Eve, Santa came to visit and Kinley wasnt even scared of him!

On Christmas morning all 19 of us got up and saw what Santa brought:

Kinley loves her snail!  Thanks Santa

Then everyone went to church (except for me cause I was sick).  When they got back, everyone put their PJ's back on and we had breakfast and started opening presents.  Polly, Gail, Jacquelyn, Terry, Cindy, Erin, Rosie and Sarah all come over too.  So it was a nice day spent with family.  We have to open one present at a time so all can see, so we were opening all day long! 

Melissa, Carolyn and I were so excited for Todd, Jeff and Lee to open their present from us!!  We surprised them with a Guys Trip in Africa!  So Todd and Jeff will be coming over in April to go with Lee on a big adventure! 

Kinley loved her great grandma Polly and would sit with her and bounce and flail and smile the whole time! Doesnt Polly look amazing?  I hope I have her genes!

And Heatu and Kinley got some good cuddle time too!

I am mad we dont have more pics from our trip.  I wish we would have documented better.  I am hoping some family members have more pics they can share with me!!  It was SO great to be home.  My parents have done an amazing remodel to their house and although it took a few days to get used to it (I dont do well with change!) I absolutely LOVE it and it really made it so much easier for us to all be together as a family. 

Nana and Bapa with all of their grandkids

Now we are back in South Africa and although it is good to be home, we sure miss our families!  The trip back was a dream.  We didnt get the bassinet seat this time, but Kinley had her own seat and slept in her carseat almost the entire flight.  It was the week after we got home that was a nightmare.  Jet lag and an almost 7 month old dont mix very well.  And we didnt have Mimi here to help us this time!  But we are back to normal now and getting back into the swing of things here.

We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and that 2012 brings great happiness and joy to you and your families!