Trip Home

Sadly, our trip to Texas has come to an end. Jared flew back to Texas Friday night and then yesterday we started our long drive back to Indiana! But first, we had to load up our van! If you have ever wondered what it would look like to visit family for Christmas and stay there for 5 weeks, here you go! I was so impressed that Jared and Dad Allen got it all in there! Basically, we have been super spoiled for the past 5 weeks!!!

And Grandma and Grandpa weren't done with the spoiling yet! They gave us a box of small gifts for Tori and Garrett to open along the way to make our trip home a lot more fun for them and also to remind them of special things from our time in Texas. And along with each gift, there was a special note for each of them! We decided that the kids should open their first gifts at Grandma's shop!
Tori- I loved having you come to my shop to have lunch with me. You were so helpful. Thank you for playing so sweet with Garrett! He loves when you play "Thomas" with him. Here is one of Thomas' friends for you to help you remember!

What could it be?

"Grandma, play Thomas?" Oh how fun it was to watch you play Thomas. You got so good. I loved watching you play with the real Thomas at my shop even more! Here is one of Thomas' friends to help you remember the fun times we had. I love you so much!

Hurrah- Rosie and Luke are such fun additions to our train collection! Tori and Garrett played Thomas on many a device and with the real thing at Grandma's shop numerous times!!!

One last picture before we hit the road- it turned out so cute!!! (Thanks, Krishna for taking this for us!)

The second gifts (fun new books) were presented at what we were hoping would be quiet time/nap time! Garrett loved his Mickey Mouse book- he and Tori watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse with Grandma and Grandpa a bunch!
Garrett, I had a blast taking you to see the duckies and to the park! Tori, I had a blast teasing you and playing Fancy Nancy with you!! Love, Uncle Dillon

Tori was excited for her book about getting ready for Kindergarten!

January 24, 2014: The fond memories that I have of Tori and Garrett's visit are: 1) Tori's awesome way of saying "Grandpa" Texan style (Groundpoe)! 2) Garrett's facial expression that I taught him and him greeting me at the door when I came home from work! 3) The 2 of them putting up with my "wanna be" Donald Duck!

Garrett and Tori, Thank you for your happy faces. It was great having you guys here. Tori you are a true princess. And your laugh brought happiness into our home. Garrett you are a stud, I enjoyed the time we had when Grandma and Tori left for Cali. I can't wait to see y'all again. You are great kids! Love, Uncle Derek

Gifts number three came out after dinner- new movies were perfect! Tori asked to put Jake (and the Neverland Pirates) in as soon as she opened it! When the movie started, she said, "it's just like at Grandma's house!"
Tori- what did we watch every night before bed? We were only suppose to watch one but sometimes it was 2 or 3 heehee. It was fun cuddling with you. As you watch Jake I hope you remember our late night snacks and giggles. Watching Jake at bedtime is a special treat at Grandma's house so don't ask mommy or daddy to watch at bedtime. It will be fun watching him during the day too!

Garrett was patient and got to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse next! So much fun for them to be able to watch the shows they loved at Grandma and Grandpa's house!!!
"Oh Toodles!" You are such a fantastic problem solver. Keep helping Mickey and your family little man- I see great things to come in you!

Day number two of driving started out with new toys to play with! Garrett got Jake, Captain Hook, and Tick Tock Croc! When Garrett saw them he said, "open now!!!"
Garrett- Thank you for cuddling with grandma and grandpa. We love watching Jake with you! We love you so much!!!

Tori had just asked to watch Jake before she opened her gift. When she saw Izzy, Jake, and Cubby she said, "Grandma is smart!"

Tori- "Oh Coconuts!" Do you know who says that? You are right! It's Cubby. Even though Izzy and her pixie dust is our favorite, you sound so cute saying Cubby's line- "Oh Coconuts!"

We got to enjoy a really nice lunch at Cracker Barrel- another gift from Grandma and Grandpa! It was so nice to get out and enjoy some time out of the van. We had enough left of our gift certificates for Tori and Garrett to each pick out a toy. Tori picked out this cute doll which she quickly named Dan! (But once we got in the van, her name was soon changed to Ann!) They enjoyed a lively game of checkers before we got back on the road!

Garrett picked out an awesome new monster truck that really lights up!

Tori and Garrett received another gift once we were back in the van and all settled- hurrah for more fun books! Tori was so excited for her Rapunzel book! It will help her remember all her fun princess adventures in Disneyland!
My Sweet Princess Victoria...We can learn so much from our fun Disney Princesses. As you read these books with your super cool pen I pray you will see their good examples. Love you!

Garrett got a Doc McStuffins book- another favorite show from Grandma and Grandpa's house! And one they watched after Jake as a fun treat at night in Grandma and Grandpa's room!
I thought you were asleep by the time Doc McStuffins came on, yet you learned her name and you say it so well! Good job buddy!

Only 2 hours away from home and the kids got to open their last surprises! When Tori saw it was a Doc McStuffins movie she said, "I can't wait!!!"
Tori- After Garrett fell asleep and after Jake what did we watch? Hee Hee! You are right? Doc McStuffins was our super fun added bonus! Thank you for such fun times and memories! I love you! Grandma

Hurrah for tractors! Garrett loved looking for tractors each time we drove to Grandma's shop!
Garrett- remember when mommy would bring you to my shop? What would you see on your way? I hope this will help you remember the fun times we had.

And just like that, we were in Indiana and at our new apartment! I guess we are back to real life- time to get to work getting all settled in our new place! To all our dear family in Texas- thanks a million times over for making our time there so special! We have especially loved watching Tori and Garrett build such wonderful memories with each of you!!! Hopefully, we will be back to visit again very soon!