We flew back to Minnesota to celebrate Christmas with our families. We had a rough start to the week with Tyler's grandpa Dean passing away right before our trip. He was our last living grandpa and we both loved him dearly so although we believe he is in a better place and not suffering anymore, it is a hard loss.
We had an early start on Saturday morning and made it to Minnesota early afternoon. Meredith was a great traveler!
We stopped in St. Peter to visit some friends and then headed to Mankato to catch the end of Michael's basketball game. We were able to visit with some family at the game and then joined the Olson family for a quick dinner after.
Baby and brothers
Tyler's grandma Olson
My sister and Aaron decided to drive to NP to hang out with us for the rest of the night after we put Meredith to bed.
I sent this picture to my dad showing him they were drinking his beer.
Sunday morning, my parents hosted a quick brunch for us with my sister's family and my grandmas.
My mom wanted to start the presents early ;)
After, we headed down to Worthington for Tyler's grandpa's wake and funeral and to visit with the Yahnke family.
Monday afternoon we drove back to my parents' house, dropped off Meredith and joined Tyler's family again for our family Christmas. Unfortunately, with the change of plans we had to squeeze in our Christmas late so Meredith couldn't join since it was way past her bedtime. We still had a blast and laughed a lot!
Grandpa/Babysitter
Tuesday morning I was supposed to go meet some friends but had a late start so my friend, Kacie, ended up coming to me instead. It was so nice to not have to jump in the car right away again. Tyler's mom picked him up and they met up with his brother to see the Star Wars movie. That night, my parents babysat Meredith again while Tyler and I met up with my law school friends for dinner at Cafe Lurcat.
Wednesday we spent the entire day and night at my parents and didn't have to drive anywhere!
These cuties got to spend the entire day together!
When everyone arrived at my parents (after work), we celebrated our immediate family Christmas. We started with the little girls opening all of their gifts so they could make it as long as possible. They were so cute! I love seeing Meredith and Evelyn together.
Meredith with her godmother
Meredith LOVED this bow
Helping Evelyn open her present
Cousin kisses
After we put the girls to bed, we ate our amazing crab and shrimp dinner, finished gifts and played games.
Matching sweatpants! This picture was taken at 2:30am!
Thursday was an early morning with Meredith and we were going off almost no sleep. Ouch.
We met up with Tyler's mom and brothers to have Christmas Eve lunch with them and have Meredith open her gifts from grandma Nae. Renee made a delicious meal! Unfortunately, it was cut short because Meredith wouldn't go down for nap there.
That evening we went to my grandma Busch's house for appetizers, took Meredith home to put her to bed, and I joined my family for Christmas Eve mass. My dad sings in the choir and it is my favorite part of Christmas celebrations.
Friday - Christmas day - we had Christmas lunch with the Solheid side of the family and then went back to my grandma Busch's house for Christmas dinner with the Busch side. I love that all my extended family still gets together for the holidays. It is so wonderful to see all my aunts and uncles, cousins and their babies! We also play a gift card dice game with my Soheid cousins and a $5 gift dice game with my Busch side. So much fun! My grandma Busch is moving soon so it was our last Christmas in her house :( So sad.
Meredith, Evelyn and Raymond
Dad duty - this girl will eat as long as you keep giving her food!
My favorite ladies!
I wanted to get a picture of both families and talked about it every time we were together but this ended up being the best we got. Brandon was on a false alarm fire call.
My grandma Busch
All my Busch cousins with random gifts from Grandma as she is cleaning/packing. We are missing three cousins in this picture.
Aaron's snapchat
Saturday morning I hosted a coffee with my high school girlfriends and their babies while Tyler met his mom and brother for brunch.
After, my sister's family and my brother and his fiancé came to spend the rest of the day/night with us. Danielle and Aaron flew out for their honeymoon so they were already gone :( We went and checked out the Montgomery Brewery and then went back to my parents' house for dinner. Doug and Suzanne stopped by on their way through town to say a final goodbye as well.
Meredith's first snow! We failed at actually showing it to her.
Sunday morning, Tyler and I packed up our giant mess, ate the delicious breakfast my mom and dad prepared, and watched Meredith and Evelyn play before saying our goodbyes and heading to the airport.
Meredith traveled great again but didn't sleep at all! Poor girl. Instead, she went back and forth looking through the airplane windows and climbing on Tyler and I. We had two flights each way this trip so Meredith has officially been on 8 airplane rides. She is a pro by now! We are always sad to leave but anxious to return to our house and own routine at the same time.
