One of the joys/burdens of living away from both sides of our family is that the holiday season is FULL of traveling. As this was Anika's first Christmas, that meant it was the first time we have had to travel with a baby. On the whole, Anika did amazing, and Garry and I were not too shabby ourselves.
The Christmas season started off early with a trip up to Luverne, MN, to visit my parents and siblings. Since Dad is a pastor, traveling around Christmas is not really an option for them as he needs to sermonize more often, which means a road trip for us. The drive to brisk MN only takes about 3.5 hours, so Anika does well on that trip. My brother Jordan and his wife Andrea came down from Brookings, SD for the family festivities, and Nathan was home from Dordt for break. I was looking forward to getting a family photo this Christmas...but I completely forgot to take one. Boo me. My poor sister Nicole had just had surgery on her mouth, so the poor dear could barely eat our Christmas meal and did not want to pose for many photos, so I guess she didn't mind not having to smile (or act like it) for a Christmas picture.
I got some great gifts from my fam such as How to Train Your Dragon, an apron, Jars of Clay's Christmas CD.
Family Quiddler
Anika in the Christmas Spirit
Posing with Aunt Nicole!
After much excitement and frivolity, we headed to California for more of the same.
Anika did very well for her first plane ride. She only screamed her head off for a few seconds on the way home. I now know to be sympathetic and will never harbor ill feelings against a baby on a plane again. Poor parents cannot help it that the baby is out of his/her normal routine.
We had a nice two-week visit with the Riezebos and Strikwerda relations. Since Garry gets two extra vacation weeks for paternity leave, he took the longer vacation for the holidays to spend time with family. Anika had fun meeting cousins and great grandmas and great aunts and uncles.
Garry's family got a Wii for the family Christmas, along with a Wii Fit. Wow is that motivating when your little character's waist expands to match your own. Eeeh.
Sibling pic on Christmas Morning
Four Generations of Strikwerda/Riezebos
Anika also got to meet her future friend Jane Dorrit Edmonds who came for a visit! Jane was born a month after Anika, but as you can see, Anika is still a little girl.
Extra pretty in a Christmas present shirt!
Strikwerda-side cousin picture
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