January 2014

Happy New Year everyone!!  The holidays blessed us with lots of awesome time together and with our extended families which, as always, was a blast!  This time of the year is easily my favorite starting with Henry's birthday and running all the way through the New Year.  The boys were so excited when the Christmas decorations went up and not for the reason everyone expects... they started asking when they would see family members next.  They always seem to center us when it is most important and continue to be such a gift in our lives:)  We were able to stay home this year and host an early Christmas with the Simpsons, which was awesome!!  Even my Grandma Dolan was able to be there so it was an extra special treat.  We swam in GG and Papap's hotel pool on "Christmas Eve" with our cousins, after which we walked out to snow on our car... so it was truly best of both worlds!  During our time off together we were able to go to some of the local places that really do Christmas right in Kansas City like Union Station!  We watched the Polar Express at Union Station with our cousins Nic and Anna and, of course, made Christmas cookies for Santa in Leavenworth.   After getting spoiled with time together, we're always sad to see the holidays pass, but it was nice to settle into our usual routine again.  The boys continue to ask for visits from everyone in the family... so be ready for the calls for invitations to get together despite these cold temperatures!  We are cheering for our Jayhawks these days and wearing extra layers during this cold winter!  We hope you are staying warm as well and are enjoying the beginning of a wonderful new year!!

Much love,

Kate, Julie, Henry and Gus