The Peipert Family: Christmas in Illinois

Going back to Illinois for Christmas has been something my family has done since we moved away. So... that would make it a nearly 25 year tradition. It has become harder to get back since we've had kids. We like to be home on Christmas Day, yet we want to be back by the New Year. We made the decision this year for me to fly back to Illinois after Christmas and take just Janie as a lap child, since she can until she is two years old {just in the nick of time, really...} So, the trip was scheduled for 4 days! We were ready to go.

Flying can be a bit challenging with a toddler, but Janie handled it very well, especially considering we had to wake up pretty early to make it to the airport on time. Our flight ended up being delayed about two and a half hours and we made it into Chicago around 11. I had wanted to take her out to get some pizza before we had to head out to pick up Krista from her flight, but we ended up waiting around the airport for two hours more, waiting on our car seat to come out and then handling a rental car issue. That got a little hairy and we ended up driving through a McDonald's and sitting in a Target parking lot for Janie to nap instead. But once we got Krista & headed out to Oregon, Illinois, all was well!

Safety first!

Getting really bored & tired...

Totally lost it.

It started snowing {sleeting, really} the next morning. Nora had been bummed that she might miss out on building a snowman when she found out Janie and I were going on a trip without her. We told her we would send her pictures and she seemed okay with that! We went out in the snow/sleet for a little while and had a little fun! We built a teeny-tiny snowman which Janie named "Frosty" {just like her sister!!!} and threw some snow around together.

Auntie K & Janie in the snow!

Chasing mommy!

Frosty. You can tell he's a little nervous already.

Later that afternoon, our family arrived and we started our annual Gruben Christmas. I love seeing my aunts, uncles, & cousins and catching up with what they have going on in their lives as best we can in our fabulous one-day celebration. I always wish that we'd had more time. Janie loved reading some of her new books & playing with her new toys, as well as seeing her cousin Chase.

Cousins!

Janie loving a new book she got.

Visiting with her Great Grandpa.

Janie & her cousin Chase!

A group shot {minus Chase}! Poor Janie was not quite awake yet...

We got to see our Baker side of the family, too but I unfortunately didn't get any pictures! We loved being able to see everyone that could come & wish we had more time with them, too.

After our two full days of visiting, we had to make our way back home. We said goodbye to Frosty, loaded up the car, and headed to the airport. Our trip home went much more smoothly than the trip there, with no delays or issues with the car & bags. We had extra time at the airport before our flight, we we spend eating, walking back and forth on the moving sidewalks, and playing with a little airplane I got for the girls. The flight went well and we got home with hours to spare before her second birthday.